| Original caption: “First photos of Russian link-up: American and Russian war photographers cover historical meeting between United States First Army and Russian Army. Officers on east bank of Elbe River, Torgau, Germany.” The historic official meeting between the United States 1st Army and Russian Army officers on East Bank of Elbe River, Togau, Germany on April 26, 1945. The flags of the 3 major allies – United States, Soviet Union, and United Kingdom – are flying over the heads of the assembly. The official meeting followed the link-up between an American and Russian Patrol at Elbe River. News of the April 25 linkup with the Americans flashed through the 63rd Infantry Division. The Soviet Red Army 58th Guards Division commander, Major General Vladimir Rusakov (December 30, 1909 – October 12, 1951) reported it to General Gleb Baklanov (August 14, 1910 – January 16, 1976), commander of the Soviet Red Army 34th Infantry Corps. General Rusakov sent a group of officers to take part in the official meeting with American representatives. Rusakov, realizing that his Division was taking part in an historic event, seemed especially excited. The meeting took place on April 26 at 1700 Hours in the town of Werdau, located across from Torgau on the east bank of the Elbe. 28 officers represented the Americans. The Soviets had about as many. 1 by 1, the boats carrying the Americans approached the east bank and were moored to the pier. Major General Emil F. Reinhardt ((October 27, 1888 – July 24, 1969), commander of the United States Army 69th Infantry Division, walked up to General Rusakov, and the 2 of them joined in a long, hearty handshake. Recorded by numerous photographers, that handshake became a symbol of the Allies’ wartime collaboration. Major Mikhail Zhdanov (???? – ????) served as interpreter for their conversations. A few minutes later, Soviet officers accompanied the visitors to an old mansion nearby which housed Soviet Red Army 58th Guards Division Headquarters. Although a short walk, it was quite a procession beneath 3 flags. High-ranking officers of the 69th Infantry Division walked alongside their Soviet counterparts. 58th Guards Division’s advance to the Elbe had been a most difficult 1. On their way there, in heavy combat, thousands of their officers and men had been wounded, including the Division Commander himself. He had been seriously injured while leading his troops against a Nazi counterattack beyond the Dniester. Accepting an American flag from Reinhardt, Rusakov said with emotion that the Soviets would be loyal to mutual friendship, and hoped their descendants would keep it alive. Reinhardt’s gift symbolized the Americans’ wartime friendship and alliance with their Soviet armed forces, which had borne the brunt of the war. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0861.jpg |
| Image Size | 206.36 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 1533 x 1141 |
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| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | April 26, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | Werdau |
| 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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