Posted on 05/07/2015 4:14:52 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
Stephen E. Ambrose, Band of Brothers
Winston S. Churchill, Triumph and Tragedy
I don’t post on these kind of threads due to me not having much time in the morning but I wanted to say thank you for posting these.
http://www.etherit.co.uk/month/4/07.htm
May 7th, 1945 (MONDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM: U-2336, a type XXIII U-boat, sinks the British coasters Avondale Park and Sneland off the Firth of Forth.
Canadian freighter SS Avondale Park torpedoed and sunk in the Firth of Forth in position 56.10N, 002.32W, by U-2336, Kptlt Emil Klusmeier, CO. Avondale Park was Canadian-owned but British-manned merchantman and was the last British ship to be sunk during WW.II. The ship was part of Convoy EN-91 bound for Belfast and was two miles south-east of May Island, in the Firth of Forth, when she was torpedoed at 2240. The ship sank in ten minutes. The chief engineer and a donkeyman from the AVONDALE PARK Park (Master James Wilson Martin Cushnie) died. The master, 31 crew members and four gunners were rescued by the escorts. The coaster Sneland was also sunk in this attack. Neither U-boat had received the message to cease hostilities on May 4.
D/S Sneland I NS * Rich. Amlie & Sverre Amlie, Haugesund 1791 gt Built Stettin-Grabow, Germany, delivered in Sept.-1922 as Ingeborg until 1925.
Captain Johannes L¾gland. Sneland I was commodore ship in the outward bound convoy EN 91 from Methil (voyage from Blyth to Belfast with a cargo of about 2800 tons coal) when she was torpedoed by U-2336 (Klusmeier, who had just taken over the command of the boat on Apr. 1) in the evening of May 7-1945 and sunk 56 09 36N 02 31 24W. This position is according to Lloyd’s War Losses, Hocking simply says “about 160 miles east of the Firth of Forth” - incorrect.
The convoy consisted of 5 ships escorted by the armed trawlers Angle, Wolves and Leicester City, having departed Methil shortly after 8 o’clock that night. The initial attack took place just before 11 o’clock when the convoy was about 1.5- 2 miles south of the Isle of May. The first victim was the Canadian S/S Avondale Park which lost 2 men out of a crew of 28 and 4 gunners, namely Chief Engineer Anderson and Donkeyman William Harvey who were in the engine room. Just a few minutes later Sneland I was hit (starboard side. I’ve also seen the time given as 22:45 for the torpedo strike, and the time 22:47 for the actual sinking). These were the last ships to be sunk by U-boat before the war officially ended.
Out of Sneland I’s crew of 26 and 3 gunners 7 died, including the captain, 1 died while being brought ashore. The 22 survivers were picked up by HM Trawlers Valse (T-151) and Leicester City (FY-223), later transferred to D/S Selvik (listed further up on this page) and taken to Methil. (Denis Peck)
(DS)
An order for another 300 de Havilland Vampire jet fighters is placed with English Electric at Preston, Lancashire. (22)
The 196th and final U-boat sunk by Coastal Command (U-320) is destroyed by a Consolidated Catalina of No. 210 Squadron 120 miles north-east of Sullom Voe.
ENGLISH CHANNEL: At 2145, KNM NYMS-382 was hit by a Gnat from U-1023 and sank within two minutes off Lyme Bay. The commander and 21 crewmembers were lost. Ten injured survivors were picked up by KNM NYMS-379 and NYMS-381 of the 3rd Minesweeping Unit stationed in Cherbourg, to which the minesweeper also belonged. (DS)
FRANCE: Rheims: At 2.40 this morning, in an upstairs room of the Rheims College Moderne de Garcons, where French children played table tennis before the war, Admiral von Friedeburg and General Alfred Jodl, of the German high command, today signed the surrender of “all forces on land, sea and in the air who are at this date under German control”. Jodl said that the German people and the German armed forces had “achieved and suffered more than perhaps any other people in the world. I can only express my hope that the victor will treat them with generosity.”
The cease-fire covers the Soviet front as well as western Europe and comes into effect at 2301 hours tomorrow. It was witnessed by General Bedell Smith for Eisenhower’s Allied Command, General Suslaparov for the USSR and General Sevez for France.
GERMANY: The German garrison at Breslau surrenders to the Red Army after an 82-day siege.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA: The US 97th Infantry Division is credited with firing the last official shot in the European Theatre of Operations by US troops tonight when, near Klenovice in the Pilsen area, Private First Class Domenic Mozzetta Company B, 387 Regiment, fires at a German sniper near Klenovice shortly before midnight. (Charles R. Gregory)
08:40: On a dirt road some 12 kilometres into Czechoslovakia, a reconnaissance platoon of the US Army’s 803rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company C, is blindsided by a hail of enemy machine gun and small arms fire from concealed positions in the woods.
Soldiers from the German 11th Panzer Division fire off four rounds of panzerfausts, which explode around the lead American vehicle, an M-8 armoured car. The American GIs in the second vehicle, an open jeep, get the worst of it: Two take hits to the hands and face: Pfc Charley Havlat is killed.
“Charley... Well, he fired once at the enemy and then I guess he ducked down at the hood of the jeep. But he forgot to move in another direction and he peeked back up, I guess, at the same position and they apparently had a bead right on him, so... and he died instantly.
That’s what I’ve been told, anyway.”
Adolph Havlat, now in his early eighties, was one of three Czech-American brothers from the close-knit farming community of Dorchester, Nebraska, to serve in Europe during the Second World War. Rudolph Havlat passed away a couple of years ago. Their oldest brother Pfc Charles Havlat, was the last American GI killed in action on the 5th Division front, and is officially the last American KIA in the entire European Theatre. He was 34 years old.
The re-con men of the 803rd returned fire until their radio operator received word that, some nine minutes before the ambush, a cease-fire order had gone into effect, and an armistice was in effect. The company got orders to withdraw back into the town of Wallern, now known as Volary.
Less than six hours after the attack, Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally. Taken captive later, the German officer who led the ambush said he knew nothing of the cessation of hostilities until 30 minutes after their effective time and apologised for the incident.
Prague: General Bunyachenko of the 1st Division POA is informed that Prague is to be occupied by the Soviets. The incoming pro-Soviet government of Eduard Benes demands their surrender or abandonment of Prague.
NORWAY: Oslo: Germany announces a cease-fire.
CANADA:
Frigate HMCS Cap de la Madeleine completed repairs Quebec City, Province of Quebec and commenced tropicalization refit.
Corvette HMCS Dunvegan departed Halifax with escort for Convoy SC-175. (DS)
U.S.A.: San Francisco: The Big Four (China, UK, USA, USSR) nations reached agreement here today on all except the Polish and trusteeship questions. Tomorrow the smaller nations will finish the drafting of a charter for the new “United Nations”. Two points of friction between the western Allies and the USSR were resolved here today. The General Assembly will have the power to arbitrate in international disputes which threaten to erupt into war, and the UN will be given jurisdiction over future alliances. Settlement of the Polish question is being held up by the unexplained arrest of 16 Polish delegates in Moscow.
In order to calibrate the instruments that will be used to record the Trinity atomic bomb test, a 100-ton test is performed today.
http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/100ton.jpg
http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/100TonExp1.jpg
http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/100TonExp2.jpg
http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/100TonExp3.jpg
(Drew Halevy)
Destroyer USS Leary commissioned. (DS)
ATLANTIC OCEAN: Minesweeper HMCS Thunder accepted surrender of German m/s, FGi, Bay of Biscay. (DS)
German Surrender Ceremony VE Day Reims, France May 7 1945
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysZ40d3RgjU
The only fitting way for a soldier to die, is to be hit by the last bullet fired in the last battle of the last war...
For me, that would be the ultimate middle finger from God, to have lasted through the fire until that moment...
http://the-american-catholic.com/2015/05/07/may-7-1945-nazi-germany-surrenders/
May 7, 1945: Nazi Germany Surrenders
Home alive in ’45 was the watchword of US troops as they headed into Germany in the spring of 1945, although I imagine that many of them could not quite believe it. Then it was all over. Hitler added to his lengthy murders by killing himself on April 30, and his successors wasted no time in putting an end to a hopeless struggle. V-E day was celebrated in Europe on May 7 and in the US on May 8.
Not all Americans celebrated. Those fighting in the Pacific realized their war was far from over, as Eugene Sledge, serving with the Old Breed (1rst Marine Division) recalled:
On 8 May Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally. We were told this momentous news, but considering our own peril and misery, no one cared much. “So what” was typical of the remarks I heard around me. We were resigned only to the fact the Japanese would fight to total extinction on Okinawa, as they had elsewhere, and that Japan would have to be invaded with the same gruesome prospects. Nazi Germany might as well have been on the moon.
The main thing that impressed us about V-E Day was a terrific, thundering artillery and naval gunfire barrage that went swishing, roaring, and rumbling towards the Japanese. I thought it was in preparation for the next day’s attack. Years later I read that the barrage had been fired on enemy targets at noon for its destructive effect on them but also as a salute to V-E Day.
One down and one to go for the US, seventy years ago today.
German Instrument of Surrender (May 7, 1945)
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Index:German_Instrument_of_Surrender_%28May_7,_1945%29
I was born in 1961. Have always had WWII as an interest.
My son was born in 1993. Trying to develop and interest in WWII for him.
These help.
Thanks for providing them!
May 7, 1945: Noisy, Flag-Waving King St. Crowds Celebrate Victory
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V-E Day Kitchener, Ontario | Kitchener Daily Record
Kitchener's historic old King St. this afternoon was rapidly becoming jammed with gay, flag-waving crowds as the long-awaited victory celebrations closing the bloodiest war in history started to gain momentum.
Flags, bunting, and rainbow colored streamers fluttered in the breeze. But it was only a sample of what is yet to come.
The sun shone brilliantly and warm in a clear blue sky in marked contrast to the dull cold weather of the past week. Every bell, whistle and noise-making appliance in the city shrieked and clanged in unison for a full hour.
"This is the happiest moment of my life," Mayor Meinzinger told the crowds.
"There will be a great street dance at the market square tonight and tomorrow night," His Worship announced. Tomorrow will be proclaimed a civic holiday in the city.
Long, parading lines of chanting students, waving flags, blowing all manner of noise makers, were out on the street less than half and hour after word of the complete German collapse was published. They all sang "Tipperary," and "Hail, Hail, the Gang's All here." They mocked the nazi salute.
Street cars and busses experienced great difficulty passing through the milling throngs and it appeared likely the service would be tied up. Cars trucks and all manner of vehicles, old and modern, were bedecked with flags and streamers. Every face had a smile. Confetti littered the streets.
The news that victory had been achieved and acknowledged spread like wildfire from store to store. Businessmen immediately brought out their flags and in less than an hour the entire street was ablaze with color. As soon as the bunting was up, most of the businessmen locked their doors. Flag shops remained open to accommodate the crowds.
The early celebrations were nothing like the wild, hysterical celebrations which followed the armistice of 1918.
CITY WIDE OPEN
Eighteen flags of the United Nations waved proudly in the light east wind from atop City Hall. Below the crowds joined in war songs which blared from a recording machine.
"The city is wide open," Mayor Meinzinger told the crowds. "Have a good time -- but don't cause damage."
"We feel deeply for those who have lost dear ones in this terrible struggle," continued the mayor. "At the same time we are elated over prospect of seeing the boys whom we hope will soon be back again."
City and military police patrolled the streets today but found no disorder. "We have have had no complaints so far," said Chief Hicks this afternoon. Although there is no organized parade planned for tomorrow, indications point to an ever greater celebration on King Street.
Some food stores were unable to close as soon as they might have desired owing to an influx of customers who found themselves without sufficient provisions for the holiday.
Shooting at the Dam, May 7th 1945
Thousands of people are gathered on the Dam Square in Amsterdam awaiting the arrival of the liberators. Around 1 p.m. a number of allied tanks arrive via Rokin on Dam Square. They are the Reconnaissance unit of the British 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division nicknamed the Polar Bears. The armoured vehicles are soon filled with celebrating people.
A number of German vehicles approach from the opposite direction. The 2 groups pass each other in front of the Nieuwe Kerk (‘New Church’) and a tense moment arises. Although the Germans drive away, the British realise how explosive the situation is and depart again via Rokin.
For a while things seem to have settled down. However, at 3 p.m. shots are fired from behind the Palace on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and soon the whole tinderbox ignites. The Binnenlandse Strijdkrachten (‘Dutch Domestic Armed Forces’) are firing from the Dam Square, while the German Kriegsmarine soldiers are firing back from within the Grote (‘Big) Club.
[Film of the shooting, the panic, and the many casualties.]
Panic erupts and the revellers are desparately jostling to get away. In the mean time, a second salvo of shots occurs. Scouts, Red Cross workers and nurses who had all been present on Dam Square, are now attending to the victims.
The shooting continues for one and a half hours until Major Overhoff of the Binnenlandse Strijdkrachten aided by the German Hauptmann Bergmann manages to establish a ceasefire between the 2 parties. This is at least one of the stories. It is also possible that the shooting ended after the threat of grenades being launched from bazookas by the Binnenlandse Strijdkrachten in the Palace towards the Germans in the Grote Club.
On May 9th1945 the German soldiers were rounded up by the Canadians from the Grote Club and transported to Germany. The motive behind the shooting was never been investigated and the perpetrators were never been prosecuted.
It was always assumed that there had been 19 to 22 fatalities, but it was never known who they were ...
Casualties are taken to hospital, unknown photographer. Collection National Dutch Archive
Before Trinity: The 100 Ton Test
May 7, 1945
To help in preparing the instrumentation for the Trinity shot the "100 Ton Test" was fired on 7 May 1945. This test detonated 108 tons of TNT stacked on a wooden platform 800 yards from Trinity ground zero. The pile of high explosive was threaded with tubes containing 1000 curies of reactor fission products. This is the largest instrumented explosion conducted up to this date. The test allowed the calibration of instruments to measure the blast wave, and gave some indication of how fission products might be distributed by the explosion.
The pile of 108 tons of Composition B (a TNT/RDX mixture) prior to being blown up in the 100 Ton Test:
The 100 Ton Test:
Final operations in Europe, Germany. Final Operations April 19 - May 7, 1945.
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