Gen. Elster surrenders
German Major General Erich Elster walks forward with two officers by his side. The translator beside him salutes. Six German officers line up behind them. Elster and the two men walk forward, facing three US officers. Elster and US Major General Rob Macon salute each other. Elster surrenders, in German, with his hand raised. He takes out his gun and presents it to Macon. Macon stands with the gun in his hand. The translator relays Elster’s words: “...under the circumstances of war, the command over that of his march group, he saw fit to withdraw certain combat elements which were capable of continuing to fight. For those reasons, General Elster has surrendered the units remaining with him, because with the means in his hands he had not the ability to break through to the German frontier. Accordingly he surrenders his command, these marching groups, the foot troops, and the service elements to the United States Army.” General Macon says accepts the surrender and tells Elster, “You, your officers, and men, will be given treatment in accordance with the principles of the Geneva convention.” The translator relays the message to Elster, who listens carefully, nods his head. Someone off screen instructs them to return to their cars for transport across the river. Gen. Elster, the translator, and another salute before walking away. The US officers walk away. Soldiers in the BG.
- EHRI
- Archief
- us-005578-irn560588
- Film
- SOLDIERS/MILITARY (GERMAN)
- , France
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