The history of the Second World War is filled with many events of monumental importance. The meeting of the forces of the United States and the Soviet Union along the Elbe River on the 25th of April 1945 was such a moment. This emotional joining of a few battle-weary soldiers at this historic river in a direct way symbolized the massive and mutual efforts of all the Allied Powers to achieve victory and secure a peaceful world.
In this same spirit of shared hope for a peaceful world, we now briefly recount the circumstances of this event as reported in U.S. historical military records.
As American forces steadily advanced eastward after the capture of Leipzig, it was only a matter of time before leading U.S. units and the advancing Soviet Army would meet. As early as 23 April, tactical Soviet radio traffic began cutting in on American channels. A Russian-speaking Staff Sergeant in the 6th U.S. Armored Division reported that he had actually talked with Soviet soldiers on his radio.
Small reconnaissance patrols were sent out in advance of the main forces to search for Soviet units. Such a mission was given to the 35-man patrol of the 3rd Battalion, 273rd Infantry, 69th Infantry Division commanded by 1st Lieutenant Albert L. Kotzebue, a 21 year old infantry officer from Texas.
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