For those who thought that Reims was just Champagne, today we are talking about a little-known attraction in the city: the Musée de la Reddition (Museum of Surrender). The site, where the Dwight Eisenhower High School is located today, was the headquarters of the General's HQ and commander of Allied troops at the end of World War II.
There, in this small room attached to the high school, it was the stage for the signing of the German surrender term to the Allies in the early hours of May 7, 1945, at 2:41 am.
The armistice was signed by German General Alfred Jodl and General Walter Bedell Smith on behalf of the Allied Force in place of Ike. Also signed, as witnesses, were Soviet General Ivan Susloparov and French General Francois Severz.
Curiosity 1: although signed on 05.07, the war would continue for another day on the Eastern European front, due to the delay in communication.
Curiosity 2. Alfred Jodl would later be found guilty of war crimes in the Nuremberg Trials and hanged on 10.16.1946.
Curiosity 3. Not having Stalin's express authorization to sign the surrender (even as a witness), Ivan Susloparov was immediately recalled to the east and handed over to the Soviet secret police.
Curiosity 4. General Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower was elected President of the United States of America
Curiosity 5. On 08.05.1945 there was a second German surrender, in Berlin, at Stalin's demand.
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