5 May 1945 Part 3

5 May 1945 Part 3 Offer to include the islands in the ceasefire

Radio message from the Armed Forces High Command / Armed Forces Operations Staff, 5 May 1945, 1735 hours

Radio message to General of Infantry Kinzel, special circuit

For communication to Field Marshal Montgomery and for the fastest possible transmission to Generaladmiral von Friedeburg for General Eisenhower:

The Grand Admiral had already ordered the U-boats at 1614 hours on 4 May to cease hostilities and begin their return voyage. He is prepared to include the fortresses on the Channel, on the Bay of Biscay, and the Channel Islands in the ceasefire. He emphasises his position that the fighting against the West must cease. The objective in the West lies solely in peaceful work to preserve the existence of the German people.

By order

Signed Keitel

Field Marshal

German Naval Staff diary. BArch RM 7/854. Published Part A, volume 68. PDF page 454; printed page 444-A. Audited translation reference 45.