| Original caption: “Happy Second Lieutenant William Robertson and Lieutenant Alexander Sylvashko, Russian Army, shown in front of sign “East Meets West” symbolizing the historic meeting of the Russian and American Armies, near Torgau, Germany.” United States Army 2nd Lieutenant William D. Robertson (January 7, 1924 – January 23, 1999), Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 273rd Infantry Regiment, 69th Infantry Division, Battalion S-2 Reconnaissance Officer, embraces Soviet Red Army Lieutenant Alexander Sylvashko (1923 – after 1985) of the 1st Ukrainian Army. Later, Robertson said, “We both knew what it meant. It meant the war was over.” The sign was quickly erected and the image circulated internationally within days of the meeting of the 2 Allied armies. The photo was staged for the cameras. Within a few days, sentries were posted by the Red Army and Sylvashko’s platoon was ordered to stop fraternization with the Americans. Robertson and Sylvashko did not speak again for 40 years. Robertson’s 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. Photographer Private 1st Class William E. Poulson (August 14, 1919 – May 10, 2008) volunteered for the Utah National Guard in 1940. He served in New Guinea and New Britain in the Western Solomons before transferring to Europe. He was hoping to join the United States Army Air Force when his preferred program was discontinued. He was assigned to the 69th Infantry Division as a replacement in January 1945. Assigned to a Military Judge Advocate Division Headquarters, his sole duty was photography. He used Rolleiflex and Speed Graphic cameras. He worked for Graybar Electric for 29 years before retiring; he was then a missionary for the Church of Latter-day Saints. Robertson, of Los Angeles, California, bought the studio lot from Metro Goldwyn Meyer where the iconic 1932 film Tarzan the Ape Man was filmed. He became a neurosurgeon. Sylvashko became a headmaster in Minsk. In 1985, Sylvashko told British ITV television, “All that happened at the Elbe is so fresh in my mind. Robertson has remained a friend-in-arms. I see no barriers to our friendship even now.” | |
| Image Filename | wwii0875.jpg |
| Image Size | 781.94 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2924 x 1996 |
| Photographer | William E. Poulson |
| Photographer Title | United States Army Signal Corps |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | April 27, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | Torgau |
| State or Province | Saxony |
| Country | Germany |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-111-SC-205228 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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