Eighty years later, the radio series “Unguarded Passage” presents a powerful documentary marking the day Nazism was defeated in Europe — a historic moment of anti-fascist victory over the darkest and bloodiest chapter of the 20th century.
The radio documentary will air on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 13:00 to 14:00 on Voice of Greece. It will then be available on demand via ERTECHO and vog.ert.gr.
At midnight between May 8 and 9, 1945, the final chapter of the Nazi horror was written with the signing of Germany’s unconditional surrender. The ceremony took place in Karlshorst, a suburb of Berlin, in the former dining hall of the Army’s engineering school.
Representing Germany, the act of surrender was signed by Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, head of the Wehrmacht High Command; Colonel General Hans-Jürgen Stumpff of the Luftwaffe; and Admiral Hans-Georg von Friedeburg of the Navy. Receiving the surrender were Marshal Georgy Zhukov on behalf of the Soviet Union and Air Chief Marshal Arthur Tedder for the United Kingdom. Signing as official witnesses were General Carl Spaatz for the United States and General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny for France.
ERT journalist and Doctor of Human Geography, Thomas Sideris, unfolds the historical context and highlights the significance of the peoples’ victory—achieved through the decisive contribution of the Red Army and the Allied forces in overcoming the darkness of Nazism.
Reasarech – presentation: Thomas Sideris
Airing: Friday 8 May 2025, 13:00-14:00 Athens time
