This footage documents the mass surrender of the German LIII Army Corps - commanded by Fritz Bayerlein - to the 7th Armored Division near Menden, Germany on April 16, 1945. Over 20,000 Germans from at least four division surrendered at once. This footage shows elements of the divisions listed in the excerpt below, including the famous 116th "Windhund" Panzer Division.
From the 7th Armored Division AAR for April 16, 1945: The size of this mass surrender can be better appreciated by looking at the total figures of prisoners taken. For the period 152400 to 162400, the Seventh processed 20,303 German prisoners of war. Known units that surrendered intact to the division are: 116th Panzer Division, 180th Infantry Division, 190th Infantry Division and remnants of the 9th Panzer Division. A number of other AA, Engineer, Artillery, TD, replacement training, and service formations located in the Corps area turned themselves in. There were four General officers, all with field commands, Major General FRITZ BAYERLEIN, CG, LIII Corps; Major General HAMMER, CG, 190th Infantry Division; Brigadier General KLOSTERKEMPER, CG, 180th Infantry Division and Brigadier General VON WALDENBURG, CG, 116th Panzer Division. In addition, the CO of the remains of the 9th Panzer Division, Colonel ZOLLENKOPF, was included in the take. A brief recapitulation of prisoners of war taken by the division to date follows:
Prisoners taken prior to crossing of RHINE R. 9,085
Taken between RHINE R. and EDER SEE DAM. 13,071
Taken from the RUHR Pocket.------------ 34,476
Military personnel in overrun hospitals
(not evacuated)------------------------ _1,313
Grand total to date (16 April 45)------- 60,945
Source: NARA, 111-ADC-3341
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