Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Below is the video description from the U.S. Army Pictorial Center via National Archives. I extended the length of the video slates to make it easier for the viewer. Some were visible for a fraction of a second. For historical perspective, Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day), when Nazi Germany formally accepted an unconditional surrender, was on May 8, 1945. Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945.

GEN PATTON MEETS THE RUSSIANS
Near Linz, Austria
12 May 1945

LSs, MSs, soldiers of the US 3rd Armored Div marching.
Seq: Lt Gen George S Patton, Jr, CG, Third US Army, arrives by plane with staff officers.

MSs, Gen Patton awarding Legion of Merit to Lt Gen Nikoner Dimitrievitch
Zahwataeff, Commander of the 4th Russian Garde Army; Maj Gen Dimitry
Trofimovitch Shepeeloff; Lt Glen Mikel Pantelwitch Zikal, 3rd Artillery CO,
4th Garde Army; and Lt Gen Kuzma N Derevyanko, Chief of Staff, 4th Garde Army.

NOTE: Also present at ceremonies were the following US officers: Maj Gen Stanley E Reinhardt, CG, 65th InfDiv, Third US Army; Brig Gen William A Collier, Chief of Staff, XX Corps; Brig Gen John E Koplan, Asst Div Commander, 65th Inf Div; Maj Gen R Hobart Gay, Chief of Staff

CUs, Lt Gen Walton H Walker, CO, XX Corps.
MSs, Gens Patton and Walker and other US officers standing with Russian Generals.

NOTE: Also present at ceremonies were the following US officers: Maj Gen Stanley E Reinhardt, CG, 65th Inf Div, Third US Army; Brig Gen William A Collier, Chief, of Staff, XX Corps; Brig Gen John E Koplan, Asst Div
Commander, 65th Inf Div; Maj Gen R Hobart Gay, Chief of Staff, Third US Army.

#generalpatton #worldwar2 #russia