Nazi Army Surrender in Innsbruck on May 5, 1945
U.S. Officer Charles P. Norris Reads Unconditional Surrender Declaration to German Commanders in Innsbruck
In May 1945, as World War II was drawing to a close, Lieutenant Colonel Charles P. (Chuck) Norris of the 7th U.S. Army was tasked with delivering and reading the unconditional surrender terms to the German forces in Innsbruck, Austria.
The ceremony, held at Eduard-Wallnöfer-Platz, was an international media event. The three men in the iconic photograph—Erich Brandenberger, commander-in-chief of the 19th Army, Kurt Brandstätter, chief of staff of the 19th Army, and Johann Lohrmann, advisor in the Reich Foreign Ministry—were listening to Norris as he read the surrender declaration.
The building where the ceremony took place was originally erected by Gauleiter Franz Hofer in 1939. After the surrender, the US military government moved into the building, which is now known as the old Landhaus.
The 19th Army of the Wehrmacht surrendered unconditionally in Innsbruck, with the men signing the surrender declaration shortly after the reading. This act was part of the broader German surrender process following the official signing of unconditional surrender documents earlier that month by German and Allied generals.
The surrender ceremony of the 19th Army was covered by international media, marking a significant moment in the final stages of the European Theater of World War II. For those seeking more detailed sources or confirmation from official military archives, those would be the best references for precise documentation.
The photo, a poignant reminder of that historic day, shows the three German commanders listening intently to Norris as he reads the surrender declaration. The news of the 19th Army's surrender was announced at 15:40, marking the end of a significant chapter in the history of Innsbruck and Austria.
Norris' reading of the unconditional surrender declaration in 1945 not only marked a historical moment for Innsbruck, but also signified the end of World War II sports competitions as German forces conceded, with implications for the global athletic landscape due to the repercussions of the war.
Reflecting on the past, it's worth mentioning that the 19th Army's surrender during norris' reading paved the way for new sports competitions to emerge post-war, allowing athletes to resume their passion, and adding a fresh new chapter to the history of sports and international relations.
