Historical meeting on the Elbe Rive

A historical meeting on the Elbe River took place 79 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.