Bidspirit auction | Germany Defeated – Victory Issue

Germany Defeated – Victory Issue of the French Newspaper Nord Éclair – Rare Edition Published on Victory Day Itself - NORD ÉCLAIR – L'ALLEMAGNE EST VAINCUE [“Germany Is Defeated”] – Victory issue of the French newspaper Nord Éclair. Lille, May 8, 1945 – rare edition published on the evening of Victory Day itself, only hours after the signing of the German surrender, decorated with the flags of the victorious Allied nations in color. “After six years of terrible hardship, Germany has surrendered to the Allied forces. By continuing the war, we would only condemn Germany to needless bloodshed and futile disintegration. The government, conscious of its responsibility for the future of the nation, was compelled, following the collapse of all the country’s physical and moral strength, to ask the enemy for a cessation of hostilities...” Historic issue of Nord Éclair, published on the night of Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 1945, proclaiming across the front page in enormous type: “L'ALLEMAGNE EST VAINCUE” – “Germany Is Defeated.” Alongside the headline appears the announcement: “The Act of Surrender Was Signed at Reims, ” as well as the declaration that the official announcement of victory would be broadcast to the world at 3:00 p.m. that day. The top of the issue features a festive design in red and blue, with the flags of Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union, and a large photograph of General Charles de Gaulle at the center. At the bottom of the page, photographs symbolically summarizing the five years of war are juxtaposed: a German soldier in occupied Paris in June 1940; de Gaulle marching at the head of the victory procession in Paris in April 1945; and a German military parade in Paris in 1940. Above them appears the heading “1940 – Symboles – 1945.” The issue appeared only hours after Germany’s unconditional surrender was signed at Reims on May 7. The surrender came into effect on May 8, the day on which France marked the end of the war in Europe. At 3:15 p.m. that day, sirens sounded, followed by the ringing of church bells, as crowds poured into the streets of the city to celebrate victory after years of occupation. The following page presents extensive reports on the surrender and the final days of the war, including the report “La mort d'Hitler” – “The Death of Hitler, ” reports on the surrender of German forces in Denmark, developments on the remaining European fronts, and preparations for the final conclusion of the war. [2] pages. 59 cm. Complete issue. Fold marks. Good condition.