FLASH: ALLIES OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED GERMANS SURRENDERED UNCONDITIONALLY-- Part 2

The end of the European warfare, the greatest, bloodiest,  and costliest war in human history -- it has claimed  at least 40 million casualties on both sides in killed, wounded and captured -- came after five years, eight months and  six days of strife that spread all over the globe.

Hitler's army invaded Poland on Sept. 1, 1939,  beginning the agony that convulsed the world for 2,319 days.

Gen. Eisenhower was not present for the signing, but immediately afterward Gen. Jodl and his fellow delegate, Gen. Adm. Hans Georg Friedeburg were received by the supreme commander.

They were asked sternly , if they understood the surrender terms imposed upon Germany, and if they would be carried out in Germany.

They answered yes.

Germany, which began the war with a ruthless attack on Poland, followed by successive aggressions and brutality in concentration camps, surrendered  with an appeal  to the victors for mercy toward the German people and armed forces.

After having signed the full surrender, Gen. Jodl said he wanted to speak (to the German people) and received leave to do so.

"With this signature, he said in soft-spoken German, "the German people and armed forces  are for better or worse delivered into the victors' hands."

"In this war, which has lasted more than five years, both have achieved and  suffered more than perhaps any other people in the world."

It's Partially Over.  --GreGen