General Helmuth Weidling [reading]
On April 30, 1945, the Führer committed suicide, abandoning everyone who had sworn allegiance to him. True to the order of the Führer, you, German soldiers, were ready to continue the fight for Berlin, although your ammunition was running low and the overall situation made further resistance pointless. I order the immediate cessation of all resistance. Every hour that you continue fighting prolongs the terrible suffering of the civilian population of Berlin and our wounded. In agreement with the high command of the Soviet troops, I urge you to stop fighting immediately. Weidling, former commander of the Berlin Defense Area. [tape recorder clicks off] A glass of water, please. [faints]
