Description:

A scarce World War II document, an official copy of the first Cease Fire issued on Germany under the orders of Field Marshal Montgomery, 1p. 4to, [n.p.], May 4, 1945, presumed copied for Signalman G. A. AYERS who served with Montgomery's 21st Army. The original field order from which this was copied was marked 'GO 411A SECRET' and was transmitted from Exfor Main at 20.50 hours on May 4th, 1945 to be received by 'FIRST CDN ARMY: SECOND BRIT ARMY: L OF C: GHQ AA TPS: 79 ARMD DIV: EXFOR REAR...' The document reads, in full: 'all offensive ops will cease fire from receipt this signal. orders will be given to all tps to cease fire 0800 hrs tomorrow saturday 5 may. full terms of local german surrender arranged today for 21 ARMY GP front follow. emphasise these provisions apply solely to 21 ARMY GP front and are for the moment excl of DUNKIRK. ack'. The conclusion is signed in facsimile by Major General R.F.K. BELCHEM, head of Field Marshal Montgomery's operations staff, with an instruction: 'IN CIPHER if liable to interception'. Some splits and small tears along original mailing folds, else very good. At 18.20 hours on 4th May 1945, German field commanders surrendered all hostile forces in North West Europe to Field Marshal Montgomery's 21st Army Group at his Tactical HQ, then located on Luneburg Heath. Montgomery immediately ordered his Chief of Operations, Major General R.F.K. Belchem, to issue a cease fire order to all subordinate units. This signal was transmitted at 20.50 hours on the 4th May 1945, as indicated on the document. This authentic war-date copy was found in the papers of RASC Signalman G. A. Ayers who was assigned to 21 Army Group Headquarters from 1944-1946, and was likely officially printed at the HQ for Ayers as a member of Montgomery's administrative staff. Distribution copies of this extraordinary message are very scarce and historic.

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May 22, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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