| Original caption: “The Twain Meet – Taking their cue from poster in background, Private First Class Frank B. Huff of Washington and Russian soldier shake hands in Elbe area in Germany. Poster depicts soldiers in front of flags of their countries using swastika for doormat.” Private 1st Class Frank B. Huff (August 28, 1921 – October 24, 1992) shakes hands with an unidentified Red Army soldier in front of a sign commemorating the linkup of the United States Army and the Soviets on April 25, 1945. The sign was quickly erected and the image circulated internationally within 4 days of the meeting of the 2 Allied armies. Huff’s commanding officer, 2nd Lieutenant William D. Robertson (January 7, 1924 – January 23, 1999), Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 273rd Infantry Regiment, 69th Infantry Division, was Battalion S-2 Reconnaissance Officer. His patrol left Wurzen on April 24, 1945, to survey the roads for refugees and Allied Prisoners of War that were streaming into the 69th’s area of operations. Robertson took Huff and 2 other men with him. Robertson’s patrol encountered little fire, except from fanatical Schutzstaffel SS, who he captured and forced to ride on the hood of his jeep. He proceeded to Torgau, looking for Allied Prisoners of War that were rumored to be held there. Torgau was under fire by the Soviet Red Army and most Nazi German civilians had fled. Robertson and his men made a makeshift American flag with a bedsheet and powder from a pharmacy in Torgau. He and some of his men climbed the tower of Hartenfels Castle. After a tense exchange under fire from both Soviets and Nazi Germans, Robertson convinced the Red Army that he was an American with the help of a Russian Prisoner of War. After an exchange of schnapps and chocolate, Robertson’s patrol returned to Wurtzen. Since he had gone beyond 5 miles – the limit of his orders – at 1st he was reprimanded. But when word that he had contacted the Soviets spread and photos and stories appeared in the press, he was congratulated. The next day, April 26, Lieutenant Robertson led a patrol of 14 jeeps back to Torgau to meet the Soviets. 1st Lieutenant Albert L. Kotzebue [Y Gandía [October 10, 1923 – March 19, 1987)] had actually made the 1st contact with the Soviets 3 1/2 hours earlier; but he remained in Red Army lines overnight, and didn’t get press coverage, so Robertson’s patrol was officially credited with 1st contact. He would try to correct the record after the war. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0860.jpg |
| Image Size | 491.98 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2030 x 1428 |
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| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | April 26, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | Torgau |
| State or Province | Saxony |
| Country | Germany |
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| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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