Historically significant original Army photograph printed from the original negative taken of General Walter B. Smith signing the Unconditional Surrender of Germany in the War Room at Reims. The photograph and cover letter dated December 5, 1945 from the Office of the Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Forces, European Theater identifies those seated including Admiral Burroughs (Great Britain), General Smith (Chief of Staff Allied Forces), General Suslaparov (USSR), General Spaatz (United States) and Air Marshal Robb (Great Britain). The cover letter signed by Major Ruth M. Briggs (Secretary to General Smith) is addressed to Lucinda de Leftwich Templin (the principal of the Radford School for Girls, El Paso TX – for 40 years and whose autograph collection is well recognized in the field of collecting).
Smith served as General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s chief of staff at Allied Forces Headquarters during the Tunisia Campaign and the Allied invasion of Italy in 1943, during World War II and at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force in the campaign in Western Europe from 1944 to 1945.
The photograph is signed autographed and inscribed, “Walter B. Smith, Lt. General, U.S.Army, Chief of Staff Allied Forces.” 10 X 8. Evident creases and wear with a small tear along the bottom border entering the last line of Smith’s inscription “Chief of Staff Allied Forces.”
Cover letter 8 X 9 toned from once being framed, exhibits a small tear along the left border.
Authentication: Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity.