Special Exhibit on the Surrenders and End of World War II

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle will present a special exhibit on the end of World War II. This exhibit opens Tuesday, July 15 and will be on display until Saturday, August 30. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission is free, though donations are welcome.

On May 7, 1945 Karl Donitz, a naval admiral, ardent Nazi, and Hitler’s successor, agreed to the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany’s armed forces to take effect the next day. The document of surrender was signed that day at Reims, in northeastern France by General Alfred Jodl. On May 8, people filled the streets in celebration and this day is known as Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day).

On August 14, 1945, the Japanese surrendered without qualifications to the U.S. and preparations began for an official surrender and the end of World War II. Earlier that month an atomic bomb had been dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and then Nagasaki. On September 2, the formal surrender documents were signed on the decks of the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay. This day is celebrated as Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day) in the United States.

This special exhibit commemorates the events that brought World War II to an end. It features a collection of artifacts related to the surrender, including souvenirs from Japan, photographs of post-war Japan, and more. Highlights of the exhibit also include documents from the Nuremberg trials, such as a vintage copy of Hitler’s will as well as occupation-era souvenirs from Germany and Japan, and striking images of post-war Germany. Items that relate to the preparation for the invasion of Japan (thankfully unnecessary) will also be on display.