inform the Soviet commander so that he could inform the Kremlin. Weidling rang Colonel Hans Refior, his civil Chief-of-Staff, in the Bendlerblock headquarters soon afterward. Weidling said that he could not tell him what had happened, but he needed various members of his staff to join him immediately, including Colonel Theodor von Dufving, his military Chief-of-Staff. The meeting on 1 May between Krebs, who had been sent by Goebbels, and Soviet Lieutenant General Vasily Chuikov ended with no agreement. According to Hitler's personal secretary Traudl Junge, Krebs returned to the bunker complex looking "worn out, exhausted". The surrender of Berlin was thus delayed until Goebbels committed suicide, after which it was left up to Weidling to negotiate with the Soviets. Surrender to Chuikov On 2 May, Weidling had his Chief-of-Staff, Theodor von Dufving, arrange a meeting with Chuikov. Weidling told the Soviets about the suicides of Hitler and Goebbels, and Chuikov demanded complete capitulation. Pursuant to Chuikov and Sokolovsky's direction, Weidling put his surrender order in writing. The document, written by Weidling, read as follows: The meeting between Weidling and Chuikov ended at 8:23 am on 2 May 1945. Post-war The Soviet forces took Weidling into custody and flew him to the Soviet Union. Initially, he was held in the Butyrka and Lefortovo prisons in Moscow. On 27 February 1952, the Military Collegium of the Supreme Court of the Soviet Union sentenced him to 25 years' imprisonment for war crimes committed in the occupied Soviet Union. Weidling died on 17 November 1955 in the custody of the KGB in Vladimir of an apparent heart attack. He was buried in an unmarked grave at the prison cemetery. On 16 April 1996, the Chief Military Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation declared Weidling non-rehabilitative. Awards German Cross in Gold on 23 June 1942 as Generalmajor and commander of 86. Infanterie Division Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords Knight's Cross on 15 January 1943 as Generalmajor and commander of 86. Infanterie Division Oak Leaves on 22 February 1944 as General der Artillerie commander of XLI. Panzerkorps Swords on 21 January 1945 as General der Artillerie and commander of XLI. Panzerkorps References Citations Bibliography External links 1891 births 1955 deaths People from Halberstadt German Army generals of World War II Generals of Artillery (Wehrmacht) German Army personnel of World War I German prisoners of war in World War II