Germany surrenders, United States establishes military occupation zone in West Germany

Germany surrenders unconditionally on May 8, 1945, ending World War II in Europe. The U.S., Britain, France, and the Soviet Union divide Germany into four occupation zones; the U.S. takes control of Bavaria, Hesse, and parts of Baden-Württemberg, with military headquarters in Frankfurt. General Dwight Eisenhower commands roughly 1.6 million American troops on German soil at the war's end. The occupation establishes the legal and military foundation for a U.S. troop presence in Germany that persists for more than 80 years.