article_snippet.sent: The typed dispatch – owned by a US collector – was sent by German president Karl Doenitz on May 8, 1945, telling officers to abandon fighting or face the Allies' wrath.
article_snippet.sent: But a week later, amid a crumbling and defeated Reich, German president Karl Doenitz met with Allied commanders to sign the instrument of surrender, bringing an end to war in Europe.
article_snippet.sent: The following day Doenitz, who had been commander of the German navy up until Hitler's death, sent a telex message to his commanders in the field informing his commanders in the field of the immediate surrender 'to save as many people as possible for Germany'.
article_snippet.sent: The note read: 'On 7 May 1945 0241, the Supreme Command of the Wehrmacht signed the unconditional surrender of all armed forces on land, on water, and in the air to the Supreme Command of the Allied Expeditionary Forces as well as the Soviet Supreme Command. '
article_snippet.sent: Accordingly, on 9 May 1945 0100
article_snippet.sent: On May 7 1945 Admiral Doenitz had signed the instrument of surrender and the following day Hitler sent Hitler high command a dispatch informing them. '
article_snippet.sent: The telegram from Admiral Doenitz was found on Von Griem when Admiral Doenitz was arrested. '
highlights_snippet.sent: Typed dispatch sent by German president Karl Doenitz on May 8, 1945 .
  Seized from Luftwaffe chief Robert von Greim when he was arrested .
  