How the historic meeting on the Elbe actually took place, and what remained behind the scenes of this significant event

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Few remember a significant historical date - April 25, 1945 … But it was an incredibly important day in world history. It was on this spring day that American troops, moving from the west, met with the forces of the Red Army advancing from the east. This extremely important historical event took place on the Elbe River, near the small town of Torgau, about a hundred kilometers south of Berlin. How was it and what did it all really mean for a world ruthlessly scorched by the fire of war?

During long difficult years, Soviet troops drove the Nazis along the entire Eastern Front. On June 6, 1944, American and British forces, after the invasion of Normandy, began to liberate Europe from the clutches of Hitler from the West. Almost eleven months later, the historic meeting of the Western and Eastern Allies took place at Torgau. It happened on April 25, 1945. This event meant that the forces of the German army were literally cut into two parts. After that, it became obvious that the war in Europe had come to an end.

Here is what Dwight David Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, wrote about this: “On April 25, 1945, our reconnaissance groups of the 69th Division of the Fifth Corps met with a military unit of the 58th Guards Division of the Red Army. This happened at Torgau on the Elbe River. These troops were the first units to land in the region. It was quite fair that they were the ones who first came into contact with the forces of the Red Army and participated in the final process of the dismemberment of Germany. As our forces advanced through Central Germany, communication with Soviet troops became increasingly important and vital. This no longer had a direct strategic significance; this problem was purely tactical in nature. The biggest challenge in our communication with allies was the ways in which we could recognize each other."

The forces of the American Allied Forces were at the rendezvous site several weeks earlier than the Soviet Allies. The command of the combined forces did not want to start the assault on Berlin on their own. Such an attack on the German capital could cost the Americans a hundred thousand lives. The commander-in-chief ordered the Americans not to cross the river and wait for the arrival of the Red Army. In addition, earlier, a few days before, at the famous Yalta conference, agreements were reached at the highest level that Berlin would enter the zone of Soviet occupation.

On April 21, Eisenhower and the Chief of General Staff, General Antonov, agreed that the meeting line of the allies for the Red Army would be along the Elbe River, and for the American army along the Mulda River, slightly to the west. It is impossible to overestimate the military and political significance of this meeting. Since the Soviet troops were forced to carry out operations to destroy the remaining German forces, in order for everything to go smoothly, the allies agreed on special signs on clothing and weapons. A whole system of signals was developed in order to identify each other, so as not to fire on our own.

The historical event so long awaited by both sides was destined to happen on April 25, 1945. It did not go completely as smoothly and decorously as planned by the command of both sides. The day before, American Colonel Charles Adams decided to send several reconnaissance groups in search of the forces of the Soviet army. One of them was commanded by Lieutenant Albert Kotzebue. He was so eager to be the first to meet the Russians that he completely ignored the order to return to base after a fruitless search. Instead, his group spent the night in a local village to resume reconnaissance in the morning.

For unknown reasons, there was no connection with the headquarters. The group could not report that they went far beyond the boundaries of the zone allowed by the command. On the morning of April 25, what Kotzebue dreamed of happened - they met the allied troops. True, not everything began as rosy as it seemed to the American lieutenant. The first person they met was a lone cavalryman. According to some information, this horseman was a Kazakh - private Aitkaliya Alibekov. He was an unsociable and withdrawn person. At a meeting of such colossal significance, he was only able to show with his hand the direction in which to move. The only thing other than that he helped was that the "strange rider" (as the Americans called him) gave the group a guide. He was a former local farm laborer. After half an hour of this campaign, the Americans were met by Soviet intelligence officers.

After the meeting, the military exchanged a series of colored missiles. Soviet soldiers, observing all the traditions of hospitality, invited their American colleagues to visit them. A real holiday was arranged on the spot, with appropriate plentiful treats and libations …

It is very curious that this legendary "Russian hospitality" was strictly regulated by SMERSH. Detailed instructions on how the soldiers of the Soviet army should behave when meeting with the allies were developed by reliable comrades from the political department. In addition to the standard instructions that no information about the deployment of Soviet troops, about plans and tasks, there were requirements for the appearance and the very organization of these meetings. A Soviet soldier must look exemplary, welcome the allies cordially and be sure to document everything in detail.

Since the radio still did not work, Kotzebue, who was decently drunk from the cordial welcome, sent a very confused report to Colonel Adams. In addition, as it turned out later, with erroneous location coordinates. After this news, the American command sent two light spotter aircraft to the proposed meeting place with the allies. Unfortunately, they were not greeted with Russian hospitality, but with German anti-aircraft guns.

But the second foot patrol, which Adams sent, following in the footsteps of the Kotzebue group, fell into the warm embrace of the Russian allies. After abundant libations and an exchange of souvenirs, the commander of the second reconnaissance group sent a strange message to the headquarters of the American troops, which put the regimental command into a real stupor.

And yet the most interesting thing happened a little later. In the northwest direction of the Elbe River, a group of the American military, which was supposed to deal with communication with former prisoners of war and collecting data, accidentally went to the town of Torgau. When heavy gunfire began on the other side of the river, the Americans rushed to the Elbe. On the other side of the river, people were rushing about in uniforms. Later, Robertson (the group leader) will tell you that what struck him most at that moment was the complete absence of their helmets. Robertson realized who they had found and that same historical meeting took place on the Elbe, which later became the basis for various film adaptations and publications in the press.

Joint photographs of the Soviet commander, Guards Lieutenant Alexander Silvashko and Bill Robertson, spread all over the world. After establishing contact with the Soviet comrades, Robertson went to his own. Major A. Larionov (deputy commander), captain V. Neda (battalion commander), lieutenant A. Silvashko (platoon commander) and sergeant N. Andreev wished to go with him. This decision was spontaneous, there was no direct order for such actions.

At the headquarters of the American allies, after two strange reports from reconnaissance groups, they were already in complete confusion. And when this motley company arrived there, the command was simply enraged by this carelessness and complete disregard of orders. Robertson's patrol even wanted to be taken into custody for violation of instructions. But the situation was saved by Soviet emissaries and all these violations were soon forgotten. Reporters happily spread the news about the historical event that took place on the Elbe River.

On May 5, the front commander, Marshal Konev, and General Bradley met. At the gala banquet, Omar Bradley announced the decision of the US government to award Marshal Konev with the highest American Order of Honor, and immediately presented it. Konev did not remain in debt. He presented the American general with a banner with the inscription "From the soldiers of the Red Army of the 1st Ukrainian Front" and … a war horse! American hospitality was also unstoppable: moved to the depths of his soul, Bradley, in response, presented the Soviet Marshal with a "Willis" with the inscription "Commander of the 1st Ukrainian Army Group from soldiers of the American troops of the 12th Army Group", a banner and an American submachine gun. And such warm meetings between the allied forces took place along the entire line of contact. Even in a nightmare, these people could not have dreamed of the imminent era of the "cold war" between their states.

When the second month of spring came to an end, the Red Army took Berlin in the ring. The Allies were able to completely complete the liquidation of the Third Reich. Allied leaders greeted the news with jubilant speeches. The war was won - that was an indisputable fact. Ordinary soldiers hugged and exchanged souvenirs. Army officers even exchanged personal weapons with each other. The Elbe has forever become a symbol of the fact that East and West are one. The most cruel enemies and irreconcilable political opponents are capable of friendly and peaceful relations.

A monument was erected in Torgau in honor of the historic meeting of the allies. Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC also has a plaque dedicated to the Spirit of the Elbe. Every year on April 25, military bands perform the anthems of Russia and the United States.

For other interesting facts about the Great Patriotic War, read our article snow ghosts, or why Soviet skiers instilled fear in the Nazis.