--- title: "The truth about the German surrender in Wageningen on May 5, 1945" description: "The German Surrender in Wageningen: A Historic Moment on May 5, 1945" url: "https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/the-truth-about-the-german-surrender-in-wageningen-on-may-5-1945" date: "2026-07-28T20:52:56+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- # The truth about the German surrender in Wageningen on May 5, 1945 ![The German surrender was signed in Wageningen (NL)](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/blog/2025/german_surrender/d-day-normandy-wageningen-signing-formal-German-surrender-1945.jpg)The German surrender was signed in Wageningen (NL) [](#) [](#) - [](#) On May 5, 1945, the small Dutch town of Wageningen became the site of a turning point in World War II history. After years of occupation and hardship, the official German surrender in the Netherlands was signed at Hotel De Wereld, marking the end of the war in the region. ### The Key Figures The meeting was led by **General Charles Foulkes**, commander of the 1st Canadian Army, who was responsible for liberating much of the Netherlands. He summoned **General Johannes Blaskowitz**, the German commander in the Netherlands, to discuss the terms of surrender. Also present was **Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands**, acting as commander-in-chief of the Dutch Interior Forces. His role symbolized the return of Dutch sovereignty and unity after five long years of Nazi occupation. ### The Setting: Hotel De Wereld The surrender negotiations took place at **Hotel De Wereld** in Wageningen. This location was chosen due to its strategic position and relative safety, as fighting had ceased in the area. Though the act of surrender was agreed upon on May 5, it was formally signed the following day, May 6, 1945. Today, Hotel De Wereld remains a symbol of peace and liberation and is a popular destination for visitors interested in Dutch and World War II history. ### Why This Moment Matters The surrender in Wageningen was not just a military event, it was a powerful moment of hope and freedom for the Dutch people. It marked the beginning of rebuilding a nation devastated by war. Each year, the Netherlands celebrates **Liberation Day on May 5**, remembering the sacrifices made and the peace that followed. Wageningen continues to play a central role in these celebrations. ### The Truth About the Wageningen Capitulation: Myths vs. Facts According to the official website of the Municipality of Wageningen, important negotiations, often called preparatory discussions, took place on 5 May 1945 at Hotel De Wereld. These talks, held in the presence of Prince Bernhard, focused on the surrender of German troops in the Netherlands at the end of World War II. The next day, on 6 May, the so-called capitulation document was signed at the agricultural college in Wageningen. This event has led to Wageningen being known as the City of Liberation, and every year on 5 May, the Netherlands celebrates Liberation Day in its honor. However, the actual surrender of German forces took place earlier. The real capitulation was signed on 4 May 1945 on the Lüneburger Heide in Germany. The document signed in Wageningen on 5 May was not a surrender but a military agreement between General Foulkes (Allied forces) and General Blaskowitz (German forces) outlining the terms for German troop behavior in the Netherlands after the surrender. In 1953, General Foulkes donated the original document to the Municipality of Wageningen, and it is now preserved in the city archives. In 2014, the document was even nominated for "Document of the Year." Despite this, many myths still circulate, often encouraged by local narratives and tourism campaigns. These myths suggest that the official German surrender happened in Wageningen, which is historically incorrect. Critics argue that this ongoing myth making distorts historical facts and misleads the public about the true events of 5 and 6 May 1945. --- Additional info --- The German surrender was signed in Wageningen (NL) --- ![General Charles Foulkes, commander of the 1st Canadian Army](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/blog/2025/german_surrender/d-day-normandy-wageningen-Charles-Foulkes-1945.jpg)General Charles Foulkes, commander of the 1st Canadian Army ![Generaloberst Johannes Blaskowitz, Commander-in-Chief of German forces in the Netherlands](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/blog/2025/german_surrender/d-day-normandy-wageningen-Johannes-Blaskowitz-1945.jpg)Generaloberst Johannes Blaskowitz, Commander-in-Chief of German forces in the Netherlands ![Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, Commander-in-chief of the Dutch Interior Forces](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/blog/2025/german_surrender/d-day-normandy-wageningen-Prins-Bernhard-1945.jpg)Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, Commander-in-chief of the Dutch Interior Forces [ Add your blog post! ](https://www.normandy1944.info/contact#contact) --- - [](https://www.facebook.com/Normandy1944) - [](https://www.instagram.com/Normandy1944) - [](https://www.threads.com/@normandy1944) Share this article on your socials --- Post has been read: 4274 times --- Published on: 01 May 2025 ### Also read these interesting articles [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/ff/p011351-ff4ae88b.jpg?src=images/photos/France/omaha_beach/p011351.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=47369fdc) ### D-Day Beaches Awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/d-day-beaches-awarded-unesco-world-heritage-status) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/78/Canadian_Scottish_veteran_Nick_Janicki-783936fb.jpg?src=images/blog/2026/Janicki/Canadian_Scottish_veteran_Nick_Janicki.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=f36aedef) ### Canadian Trail Overijssel ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/canadian-trail-overijssel) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/93/German-Pervitin-the-drug-that-the-German-soldiers-used-in-WW2-to-stay-awake-9377056f.jpg?src=images/blog/2026/Drugs_and_more/German-Pervitin-the-drug-that-the-German-soldiers-used-in-WW2-to-stay-awake.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=4953a62c) ### Hygiene, Stimulants and survival in WW2 ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/hygiene-stimulants-and-survival-in-ww2) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/13/Japanese-Army-Proficiency-Badges-by-Andrew-Reznik-139941c1.jpg?src=images/blog/2026/Japanese_Army_Proficiency_Badges_Andrew_Reznik/Japanese-Army-Proficiency-Badges-by-Andrew-Reznik.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=e0503ae5) ### Japanese Army Proficiency Badges by Andrew Reznik ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/japanese-army-proficiency-badges-by-andrew-reznik) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/c3/Auschwitz-Museum-unveils-new-exhibition-on-prisoner-life-c3800aef.jpg?src=images/blog/2025/Auschwitz_expo/Auschwitz-Museum-unveils-new-exhibition-on-prisoner-life.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=89c29692) ### Auschwitz Museum unveils new exhibition on prisoner life ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/auschwitz-museum-unveils-new-exhibition-on-prisoner-life) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/7f/Charles-Norman-Shay-young-man-7fbdf29b.jpg?src=images/blog/2025/charles_norman_shay/Charles-Norman-Shay-young-man.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=88e4bbab) ### Charles Norman Shay dies at the age of 101 ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/charles-norman-shay-dies-at-the-age-of-101) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/12/Women-of-the-WRNS-operating-codebreaking-machines-at-Bletchley-Park-12e94403.jpg?src=images/blog/2025/Women_on_DDay/Women-of-the-WRNS-operating-codebreaking-machines-at-Bletchley-Park.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=3a0b7804) ### Women in the Normandy Campaign: Unsung Contributions ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/women-in-the-normandy-campaign-unsung-contributions) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/20/Technician-Fourth-Class-George-H.-Pruitt-43rd-20db7067.jpg?src=images/blog/2025/George_H_Pruitt/Technician-Fourth-Class-George-H.-Pruitt-43rd.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=c673514c) ### When honour is hidden: removal of Black American soldiers ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/when-honour-is-hidden-removal-of-black-american-soldiers) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/f1/The-USS-California-on-fire-after-the-Japanese-attack-on-Pearl-Harbor-colorised-f10f5307.jpg?src=images/blog/2025/Pearl_Harbor/The-USS-California-on-fire-after-the-Japanese-attack-on-Pearl-Harbor-colorised.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=eaf6ec4c) ### After 84 years, a sailor comes home ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/after-84-years-a-sailor-comes-home) [ ![](https://www.normandy1944.info/media/yootheme/cache/b2/Death-of-Lt.-Col.-George-E.-Hardy-b227ccec.jpg?src=images/blog/2025/Passing_of_George_Hardy/Death-of-Lt.-Col.-George-E.-Hardy.jpg&thumbnail=400,260,&hash=7497832d) ### The passing of the last Tuskegee airman ](https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/the-passing-of-the-last-tuskegee-airman) [](#) [](#) ## Schema ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/the-truth-about-the-german-surrender-in-wageningen-on-may-5-1945" }, "headline": "The truth about the German surrender in Wageningen on May 5, 1945", "description": "The German Surrender in Wageningen: A Historic Moment on May 5, 1945", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.normandy1944.info/images/blog/2025/german_surrender/d-day-normandy-wageningen-signing-German-surrender-1945.jpg" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Normandy1944.info – D-Day, Normandy and Beyond", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.normandy1944.info/images/logo/D-Day-Normandy-1944-WW2-logo.png" } }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Frank C. Everards", "url": "https://www.normandy1944.info/blog/how-it-started" }, "datePublished": "2025-05-01T08:45:53+02:00", "dateCreated": "2025-05-01T08:45:53+02:00", "dateModified": "2025-05-22T15:49:36+02:00" } ```