A World War II veteran who claims to have been the first Allied soldier to receive the message that the Nazis had surrendered has vowed to keep the historical document in his family despite strong interest from museums.
Bernard Morgan, who turns 100 on Wednesday, was working as a codebreaker for the Royal Air Force around May 6, 1945, when he received a world-changing message through his Typex machine.
“The German war is over. Last night the instrument of surrender was signed in Reims, which effectively means the surrender of all German personnel, all equipment, ships, and all machinery in Germany.” “means,” the message reads. mirror.
“Nothing will be destroyed anywhere. The surrender will take effect tomorrow. This news will not be communicated to anyone other than military personnel and the press.”
Morgan first had to “decipher” the message while on duty in the German town of Schnefeldingen, about 200 miles from the Reich Chancellery, but days earlier, on April 30, Adolf Hitler He committed suicide in the secret Führer’s underground bunker when the Soviet military closed down on the same day. attacked him during the Battle of Berlin.
“It was a surprise. I couldn’t tell anyone until I received the final message that the war in Germany was over,” said the veteran.
Upon receiving the news that the war in Europe was over, Morgan said he and members of his codebreaking unit celebrated the end of the bloodiest global conflict in human history, careful not to attract attention.
Although she couldn’t tell anyone about the news, Morgan said, “I’m glad no more soldiers, sailors, or airmen will die…and I’m grateful to all the civilians who gave their lives for the same cause.” I want to,” he said.
Fifty years after the war ended, no one could claim that he was the first Allied soldier to receive news of the surrender of the Third Reich because of a document he signed while working as a codebreaker. It was later – in 1994, when the document became invalid.
Ahead of her 100th birthday, Morgan vowed to keep the document documenting the Nazi surrender with her family, despite significant interest from groups interested in acquiring the historic piece.
“The Imperial War Museum in London and Manchester both wanted the original, but were not interested in a copy, but I am keeping it for my family,” Barnard said.
Mr Morgan, who is also an ambassador to the Royal Legion of British Legion, said he had no intention of donating his historical message to any organization, but said he wanted “younger generations to know exactly what happened during the war and “I’m always anxious to be appreciated for my sacrifice.” Our young people have made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we have today. ”
Morgan, like some 133,000 other World War II heroes, landed on France’s Normandy beaches on D-Day. This remains the largest amphibious invasion in history.
RAF Sergeant was just 20 years old when he landed at Gold Beach on June 6, 1944.
He was later deported to Germany at the end of the war, after the Allied forces pushed the previously conquered Nazi forces back to Berlin.
As a codebreaker, Morgan uses a once-classified Type He was sent back to England. manchester evening news.
The Nazis formally surrendered late on the evening of May 8, 1945, after Hitler’s successor, Admiral Karl Dönitz, ordered German military leaders to sign the Instrument of Unconditional Surrender in France and Berlin. The war has ended.
Although the war in Europe ended, World War II did not officially end until September 2, 1945, after the surrender of Imperial Japan.
Morgan, who returned home after the war, said that since she was an “only child,” she was struck by how being away affected her parents.
“My parents thought this war was like World War I, ankle-deep in mud, and never asked me what I did in the Air Force.”
After the war, Morgan worked for 57 years as a railway and turnstile operator for Crewe Alexandra, a professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire, England.
“We are so proud of our father. He will always be a war hero, but he is also a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather,” said daughter Sheila Morgan.
Sheila Morgan, 71, also revealed that her father plans to return to Normandy in June for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
“Our D-Day veterans are a brotherhood whose numbers are dwindling, so it is very important that we take every opportunity to celebrate the service and courage of those who helped liberate Europe 80 years ago. ” said Nancy Kaye of the branch. Chairman of RBL in Crewe.
