Memorial Plate «The Spirit of Elba»
In 1995, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, two memorial plaques dedicated to the historic event of the meeting of Soviet and American troops on the Elbe River were solemnly unveiled in Victory Park, on Poklonnaya Gora, in Moscow. April 25, 1945, this memorable event symbolized the unity of the Allied forces in the fight against fascism and became one of the most significant moments of the Second World War. At the same time as the installation of a memorial slab in Moscow, a similar sign was unveiled at Arlington Cemetery, near Washington, emphasizing the international significance of the meeting on the Elbe. The text in two languages – Russian and English – was engraved on a bronze plate located in Victory Park, reading: “This plaque honors the military alliance of the Soviet, American, and Allied forces in their battle against tyranny during World War II, and symbolizes the meeting of Soviet and American troops on the Elbe River on April 25, 1945.” These words remind us of the support and efforts of the countries in the anti-Hitler coalition, working together to achieve a common goal of victory over Nazi Germany. The historic meeting on the Elbe occurred near the German city of Torgau. It was on this day that units of the 1st Ukrainian Front of the Red Army encountered units of the 1st Army of the United States. The day was marked by several encounters between Soviet and American soldiers. However, the most significant event was the handshake on the bridge over the Elbe, where the platoon commander of the 58th Infantry Division, Alexander Silvashko, and the commander of the reconnaissance group of the 69th Infantry Division, William Robertson, met. This moment was immortalized in a historic photograph, which soon appeared on newspaper pages and magazine covers around the world as a symbol of the united struggle of allies. Moscow solemnly commemorated this event with a grand salute of 24 volleys from 324 cannons. Similar celebrations were held overseas, including in Times Square in New York, where thousands gathered to greet the allies and express joy at this significant step towards victory. The encounter between the troops on the Elbe had an important strategic significance. It effectively split the armed forces of Nazi Germany into two separate parts. This significantly weakened their ability to fight, deprived them of mobility and destroyed coordination between different units. The consequences of this event played a crucial role in accelerating the defeat of the Third Reich and ending the war in Europe.
Address: Moscow, Victory Park
