The issue of the French daily Les Nouvelles Matin from May 8, 1945 – Victory Day over Nazi Germany and the end of World War II. Headline: MARDI 8 MAI 1945 EN EUROPE, DEPUIS CETTE NUIT A 23 h. 1 m. LA GUERRE EST FINIE La capitulation sans conditions de l’Allemagne sera annoncée officiellement à 15 heures” – “Tuesday, May 8, 1945, in Europe – since this night at 23:01 – the war is over. The unconditional surrender of Germany will be officially announced at 15:00.” Particularly impressive design of the front page in color: an angel with outspread wings against the background of the Allied flags.
The issue includes a report on the German surrender, which came into effect during the night between May 7 and 8 at 23:01: “The Germans surrendered unconditionally… The Chief of Staff of General Eisenhower received the instrument of surrender on behalf of the Allied Supreme Command…”. It also features a moving article by the issue’s editor, Jean Marin, who writes:
“The end of the war. The unconditional surrender of the Third Reich! We hardly dare to believe it. We almost hesitate to fully grasp the meaning of these thrilling words. And yet, for months and years, millions of people have carried in these words their humiliation, their pain, their eternal hope.” On the second page, a photograph shows the emotional crowd at the Opera House listening to Germany’s total and unconditional surrender, alongside coverage of the final actions of the defeated Germany, “The meeting of the Big Three immediately after the victory”, food distribution in honor of Victory Day, a handwritten note from General Koenig reading “Victory is a sacred gift…”, and at the center, a striking illustration of an arrow piercing the belly of the Nazi eagle against the background of the swastika, the Allied flags, and the caption: “This time it will not rise.”
The day before, on May 7, General Alfred Jodl signed the unconditional surrender of Germany to the Western Allies, with the surrender set to take effect on May 8 at 23:01 (Central European Time). May 8 was the official Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day), celebrated in France (as crowds poured into the streets of Paris, Nancy, Lyon, and Marseille), the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, and all of Western Europe.
The daily Les Nouvelles du Matin was founded on February 1, 1945, shortly after the liberation of France from Nazi occupation, and was published for only about 11 months, until January 2, 1946. The newspaper was established by journalist and resistance fighter Jean Marin, who fought against Nazi colonialism and was a central figure in the resistance network. Its purpose was to provide news free from the influence of the Vichy regime and the occupation, to foster a sense of national unity, and to strengthen the identity of liberated France. When government support ended, the newspaper was shut down in early 1946.
[2] pages. Complete issue. 60×43 cm. Fold marks. Good condition.
