Luciano Graziano recalls witnessing the Nazi surrender at 102 years old
- Central Berlin was devastated during the battle leading to the victory over Nazi Germany in May 1945.
- Luciano Graziano, now at 102, remembers his role in the surrender negotiations that marked the end of fighting in Europe.
- The long-term transformation of Berlin reflects its resilience and the unresolved scars from its war-torn past.
In May 1945, the Red Army successfully captured Berlin, marking a significant event in World War II and leading to the defeat of Nazi Germany. Central Berlin suffered extensive damage, with ruins from intense battles evident across the city. Following the encirclement of Berlin on April 25, Adolf Hitler took his own life on April 30, leading to the German military's surrender on May 2. The surrender did not symbolize the end of the war, as Germany's unconditional capitulation was formally signed in Reims, France, on May 7, 1945, with a subsequent ceremony in Berlin on May 8 due to ongoing combat in the east. Following the war, Berlin underwent significant restoration and modernization while still retaining visible signs of its troubled past. Today, the city stands as a testament to its historic struggles and a symbol of peace and democracy in a reunited Germany. Among the last witnesses to the events of that time is Luciano “Louis” Graziano, an American soldier who participated in the surrender negotiations, now expressing gratitude for his life experiences and sharing his memories with the world on the 80th anniversary of VE Day.