President Eisenhower's 'end of WW2' memo to be auctioned

US President Dwight D. Eisenhower's messages marking the end of World War Two in Europe are up for auction in Nottingham

Documents which announced the end of World War Two to millions of troops could fetch up to £12,000 when they go under the hammer later.

A telex from US President Dwight D. Eisenhower announcing the German surrender on 7 May 1945 is among the items being auctioned in Nottingham.

Another message reads "there is no longer an enemy to defeat".

Auctioneer Richard Davie said the messages would have marked the first time troops were told the war was over.

The 70th anniversary of VE Day - the day Eisenhower's total ceasefire order ended the war in Europe - was marked in May this year.

A lot including Eisenhower's first message to his command following Germany's surrender, and a photograph of Major General Kenneth Strong has a guide price of £4,000 to £6,000.

Also for sale is a signed picture of Major General Kenneth Stong escorting a German military commander to sign surrender terms

Mr Davie, of International Autograph Auctions, said the president sent four messages that day, but the telex was the only one broadcast to the millions of troops under his command.

"So this was effectively the first time that all the ordinary fighting soldiers were aware that the war had ended," he said.

"To some people they could be worth an awful lot more and other people might view them as just a piece of paper.

"But to hold them in your hands is like holding actual history."

A cipher message of the ceasefire order could fetch £2,000 to £3,000, Mr Davie said.

And a final intelligence report, dated 8 May 1945, stating "there is no longer an enemy to defeat" has a guide price of £2,000 to £3,000.

The final intelligence report on the total ceasefire order could fetch £3,000