A grim-faced Admiral Hans von Friedeburg and
Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery finialize
the German surrender

May 3-4
Politics, Germany

The whole of the northwest of the country is under British control. Admiral Karl Doenitz sends Admiral Hans von Friedeburg to Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's headquarters at Lüneburg to discuss surrender terms. On the 4th, the German delegation signs the instrument of surrender - covering German forces in Holland, northwest Germany, the German islands, Schleswig-Holstein, and Denmark - to come into effect at 0800 hours on May 5.

May 4-5
Politics, Denmark

Some 20,000 members of the Danish Resistance movement, organized under the central leadership of the Freedom Council, come out of hiding and take over the key points in the country. Soon, they are in control of Denmark. The first Allies arrive on the 5th.

May 5
Eastern Front, Czechoslovakia

With the Red Army getting nearer, Czech nationalists begin the Prague uprising. By the end of the day, there are 2000 barricades in the city, and all the important bridges over the Vltava River have been seized. Field Marshal Ferdinand Schörner, commander of the German Army Group Center, has ordered units to the city to crush the rebellion.

May 7
Politics, Germany

General Alfred Jodl, acting on behalf of the German government, signs the act of surrender to the Allies of all German forces still in the field. Hostilities are to cease by midnight on May 8 at the latest. In Norway the German garrison of 350,000 men capitulates to the Allies. The German Army Group South surrenders to the US Third Army in Austria.

May 9-10
Eastern Front, Czechoslovakia

Prague is liberated by the Red Army with the help of the partisans. By the evening, Soviet troops have sealed off all avenues of escape west for Army Group Center. German troops, seeing the hopelessness of their situation, begin to surrender in their thousands. On the 10th, the 1st Ukrainian Front makes contact with the US Third Army on the Chemnitz-Rokycany line.

May 15
Balkans, Yugoslavia

The last German troops fighting in the country surrender.

May 29
Pacific, okinawa

The US 1st Marine Division takes Shuri after hard fighting. To date the Americans have suffered 20,000 casualties trying to take the Japanese-held island.

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