Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
A historical meeting on the Elbe River took place 7️⃣8️⃣ years ago – on April 25, 1945. The Red Army’s First Ukrainian Front troops under the command of Marshal Ivan Konev met the 69th and 104th infantry divisions of the First US Army under the command of General Omar Bradley.
This event is important not only historically but also symbolically. It became a prelude for the defeat of Nazi Germany and marked the peak of the allied struggle waged by the anti-Hitler coalition against Nazism. A spirit of unity against a common enemy, which came to be called the Elbe spirit, opened prospects for postwar cooperation at a new level.
📻 Although rank-and-file soldiers and their command on both sides of the Elbe River intercepted each other’s signals, they did not know how far away their allies were. They were only too happy to meet friendly troops instead of retreating Nazis.
Having forgotten about cultural differences and the language barrier, comrades-in-arms exchanged patches, signs of distinction, household items and even valuables. Later, the celebrations continued at the Soviet command headquarters on the eastern bank of the Elbe River where Omar Bradley came to meet Ivan Konev.
This is how first-hand witnesses described the historical moment. They became world famous owing to a photo by Bill Robertson (left), a reporter for US Life magazine. He said the meeting with the Soviet military created the impression that the world was one. Alexander Silvashko, depicted next to him (right) often said that if American and Soviet soldiers could maintain their comradely relations, “the world could become a better place.”
🤝 In the joint statement on the 75th anniversary of the meeting on the Elbe, the presidents of Russia and the US expressed the same feelings as their compatriots in 1945. “The meeting on the Elbe is the culmination of enormous efforts by many countries and peoples. The Elbe spirit shows how our countries can put aside their differences and cooperate in the name of a common goal”
#WeWereAllies
#Victory78
This event is important not only historically but also symbolically. It became a prelude for the defeat of Nazi Germany and marked the peak of the allied struggle waged by the anti-Hitler coalition against Nazism. A spirit of unity against a common enemy, which came to be called the Elbe spirit, opened prospects for postwar cooperation at a new level.
📻 Although rank-and-file soldiers and their command on both sides of the Elbe River intercepted each other’s signals, they did not know how far away their allies were. They were only too happy to meet friendly troops instead of retreating Nazis.
Having forgotten about cultural differences and the language barrier, comrades-in-arms exchanged patches, signs of distinction, household items and even valuables. Later, the celebrations continued at the Soviet command headquarters on the eastern bank of the Elbe River where Omar Bradley came to meet Ivan Konev.
This is how first-hand witnesses described the historical moment. They became world famous owing to a photo by Bill Robertson (left), a reporter for US Life magazine. He said the meeting with the Soviet military created the impression that the world was one. Alexander Silvashko, depicted next to him (right) often said that if American and Soviet soldiers could maintain their comradely relations, “the world could become a better place.”
🤝 In the joint statement on the 75th anniversary of the meeting on the Elbe, the presidents of Russia and the US expressed the same feelings as their compatriots in 1945. “The meeting on the Elbe is the culmination of enormous efforts by many countries and peoples. The Elbe spirit shows how our countries can put aside their differences and cooperate in the name of a common goal”
#WeWereAllies
#Victory78
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
✈️ In late November 1942, the USSR and France signed an agreement on forming the legendary Normandie-Niemen air squadron. It became a symbol of Soviet-French camaraderie and the most famous foreign military unit fighting on Soviet territory during WWII.
• By the time the squadron was formed, two thirds of France had been occupied. However, small Resistance groups wanted to continue fighting Hitler. In March 1942 they suggested sending a group of French pilots and air mechanics to the USSR to participate in combat activities.
• The Normandie-Niemen air squadron was made up of the best pilots of the 1st Fighter Group in the Free French Air Force, deployed in Lebanon at the time. The formation was initially called Normandie in honour of the French northwestern province occupied by the Germans. The squadron added Niemen to its name after a successful operation on the Nieman river during the liberation of Lithuania.
• It included 14 French pilots, 58 French mechanics and 17 Soviet mechanics. The Soviet government provided the squadron with Yakovlev-1 (Yak-1) and later Yak-3 and Yak-9 fighter planes which were subsequently donated to France.
• The French aces were part of the Soviet Air Force in 1943-1945, and fought in many landmark battles from the Kursk Bulge to Koenigsberg. In total, the squadron’s pilots made over 5,000 sorties and shot down 273 German planes. Four of them were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
• Upon returning home, the formation continued to exist bearing its former name. Unfortunately, today the fighters of the Normandie-Niemen air regiment are cynically used on NATO's eastern flank in the Baltic States, where they are practising tasks to "contain" Russia. In our country, however, we remember the heroism of the French aces and appreciate their contribution to our common victory.
Learn more
#WeRemember #WeWereAllies
• By the time the squadron was formed, two thirds of France had been occupied. However, small Resistance groups wanted to continue fighting Hitler. In March 1942 they suggested sending a group of French pilots and air mechanics to the USSR to participate in combat activities.
• The Normandie-Niemen air squadron was made up of the best pilots of the 1st Fighter Group in the Free French Air Force, deployed in Lebanon at the time. The formation was initially called Normandie in honour of the French northwestern province occupied by the Germans. The squadron added Niemen to its name after a successful operation on the Nieman river during the liberation of Lithuania.
• It included 14 French pilots, 58 French mechanics and 17 Soviet mechanics. The Soviet government provided the squadron with Yakovlev-1 (Yak-1) and later Yak-3 and Yak-9 fighter planes which were subsequently donated to France.
• The French aces were part of the Soviet Air Force in 1943-1945, and fought in many landmark battles from the Kursk Bulge to Koenigsberg. In total, the squadron’s pilots made over 5,000 sorties and shot down 273 German planes. Four of them were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
• Upon returning home, the formation continued to exist bearing its former name. Unfortunately, today the fighters of the Normandie-Niemen air regiment are cynically used on NATO's eastern flank in the Baltic States, where they are practising tasks to "contain" Russia. In our country, however, we remember the heroism of the French aces and appreciate their contribution to our common victory.
Learn more
#WeRemember #WeWereAllies
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
📅 On February 4, 1945, the Yalta (Crimean) Conference commenced. It was the second meeting of all anti-Hitler coalition countries leaders: Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill & Franklin Roosevelt.
Yalta hosted the conference when successful strategic offensives by the Red Army had liberated the Soviet territories as well as several European nations from fascist occupation. Just on February 3, the Vistula-Oder Operation had concluded, while the Western Carpathian & East Prussian operations were in full swing, marking the final stages of the war against Nazi Germany.
📜 The leaders approved key international documents, including the Declaration of Liberated Europe & documents outlining the fundamental principles for the creation of the UN, which laid the foundation for post-war international relations & defined the contours of the post-war world order.
Certain issues regarding post-war Germany were also resolved. Conference participants expressed their unwavering determination to eliminate German militarism & Nazism. They agreed on France's participation in addressing the German issue, defining the borders of Poland, outlines of the future Polish government & the conditions for the USSR's entry into the war against Japan.
The tremendous growth in the international authority of the Soviet Union, bolstered by the outstanding achievements of the Red Army, had a significant influence on the course & outcomes of the negotiations.
🤝 The Yalta Conference of the leaders of the USSR, the USA, and the UK held immense historical significance, being one of the key summits of the Second World War. It demonstrated the readiness for cooperation & compromise among the three allied powers in their fight against the common enemy.
❗️ The decisions of the Yalta Conference strengthened the anti-fascist coalition in the final stages of the war & contributed to the victory over Germany. In the post-war years Soviet diplomacy largely focused on Implementing the conference's decisions.
#HistoryOfDiplomacy #WeWereAllies
Yalta hosted the conference when successful strategic offensives by the Red Army had liberated the Soviet territories as well as several European nations from fascist occupation. Just on February 3, the Vistula-Oder Operation had concluded, while the Western Carpathian & East Prussian operations were in full swing, marking the final stages of the war against Nazi Germany.
📜 The leaders approved key international documents, including the Declaration of Liberated Europe & documents outlining the fundamental principles for the creation of the UN, which laid the foundation for post-war international relations & defined the contours of the post-war world order.
Certain issues regarding post-war Germany were also resolved. Conference participants expressed their unwavering determination to eliminate German militarism & Nazism. They agreed on France's participation in addressing the German issue, defining the borders of Poland, outlines of the future Polish government & the conditions for the USSR's entry into the war against Japan.
The tremendous growth in the international authority of the Soviet Union, bolstered by the outstanding achievements of the Red Army, had a significant influence on the course & outcomes of the negotiations.
🤝 The Yalta Conference of the leaders of the USSR, the USA, and the UK held immense historical significance, being one of the key summits of the Second World War. It demonstrated the readiness for cooperation & compromise among the three allied powers in their fight against the common enemy.
❗️ The decisions of the Yalta Conference strengthened the anti-fascist coalition in the final stages of the war & contributed to the victory over Germany. In the post-war years Soviet diplomacy largely focused on Implementing the conference's decisions.
#HistoryOfDiplomacy #WeWereAllies
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🗓 Today we commemorate #ElbeDay, dedicated to the historic encounter between Soviet and American forces on the banks of the Elbe River.
On April 25, 1945, the two allied armies met for the first time near Torgau in Germany. This contact marked an important step toward the end of World War II in Europe, heralding the final downfall of the Nazi regime.
Watch the documentary "Encounters at the Elbe: Springtime Before the Cold War" to explore and take a close look at the full story and key details of that landmark event imbued by the spirit of the soldier's brotherhood and hope for a lasting and happy peace.
#WeWereAllies
On April 25, 1945, the two allied armies met for the first time near Torgau in Germany. This contact marked an important step toward the end of World War II in Europe, heralding the final downfall of the Nazi regime.
Watch the documentary "Encounters at the Elbe: Springtime Before the Cold War" to explore and take a close look at the full story and key details of that landmark event imbued by the spirit of the soldier's brotherhood and hope for a lasting and happy peace.
#WeWereAllies
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🗓 September 3 marks the Day of Military Glory in Russia — the day of victory over militarist Japan and the end of World War II.
On September 2, the representative of the USSR General Kuzma Derevyanko and the allies of the Soviet Union during WWII signed the Instrument of Surrender of militarist Japan.
At the Tehran (1943) and Yalta (1945) conferences of the heads of the Big Three Joseph Stalin agreed to help the United States and Britain in the war against Japan, which at that time the USSR had a pact of neutrality with.
It was agreed in Tehran that the USSR would enter the war two or three months after the surrender of Germany.
The redeployment of Soviet soldiers to the Far East began even before Berlin was captured. According to the plan the Soviet forces were to encircle and defeat the enemy in the Far East within two months but victory was achieved much faster — merely 11 days later.
☝️ The Red Army dealt a crushing blow to the Kwantung Army, which became one of the key factors of Axis Japan's defeat. Southern part of Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, Manchuria and part of Korea were liberated from Japanese occupation.
📹 The Russian Military Historical Society
#Victory79 #WeWereAllies
On September 2, the representative of the USSR General Kuzma Derevyanko and the allies of the Soviet Union during WWII signed the Instrument of Surrender of militarist Japan.
At the Tehran (1943) and Yalta (1945) conferences of the heads of the Big Three Joseph Stalin agreed to help the United States and Britain in the war against Japan, which at that time the USSR had a pact of neutrality with.
It was agreed in Tehran that the USSR would enter the war two or three months after the surrender of Germany.
The redeployment of Soviet soldiers to the Far East began even before Berlin was captured. According to the plan the Soviet forces were to encircle and defeat the enemy in the Far East within two months but victory was achieved much faster — merely 11 days later.
☝️ The Red Army dealt a crushing blow to the Kwantung Army, which became one of the key factors of Axis Japan's defeat. Southern part of Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, Manchuria and part of Korea were liberated from Japanese occupation.
📹 The Russian Military Historical Society
#Victory79 #WeWereAllies