THE BEGINNING OF THE END: MONTGOMERY ISSUES GERMANS A PASS THROUGH THE LINES TO NEGOTIATE THE SURRENDER OF THEIR ARMIES IN NORTHERN EUROPE
A truly critical historic document issued by British Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery to two German military officers and peace emissaries allowing them to safely pass through the British lines in order to bring surrender demands to the new German president Grossadmiral Karl Donitz. Montgomery's one-page 6 x 8 inch letter is written on his "Headquarters 21 Army Group" letterhead from Luneburg Heath Saxony on May 3 1945. It reads in part: "The following German Officers are authorised by me to pass through the British lines without molestation : - General-Admiral Von Friedeburg Major IG Friedl..." One fold soiled a bit at margins as one would expect otherwise very good. On May 3 1945 a German delegation consisting of Kriegsmarine C-in-C Hans-Georg von Friedeburg Gen. Eberhard Kinzel chief of staff of the northwest German army his staff officer Major Hans Friedl and OKW representative Col. Fritz Poleck arrived at Montgomery's headquarters to discuss peace terms on orders of President Admiral Karl Donitz. Donitz hoped that protracted partial and local surrender negotiations might buy time for troops and refugees in the east to escape capture by the vengeful Red Army. Montgomery initially refused to meet the men but later spoke to the group and demanded the unconditional surrender of all forces on his northern and western flanks. The Germans stated that they did not have the authority to accept the terms but the parties agreed they could return to their headquarters to obtain permission for such a surrender from Donitz. The letter offered here was issued at that time to safely expedite their passage through the lines to and from their meeting with Donitz. The negotiations were then continued with Montgomery the next day. A reporter present quoted Montgomery: "If you do not agree to Point 1 the surrender then I will go on with the war and I will be delighted to do so." Monty added as an after-thought "All your soldiers and civilians may be killed." On May 4 1945 the Germans surrendered: "...all German armed forces in HOLLAND in northwest GERMANY including the FRISIAN ISLANDS and HELIGOLAND and all other islands. In SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN and in DENMARK to the C-in-C. 21 Army Group..." A most important historic document. Photo for illustrative purposes only and not included.