The exhibition titled “The Feat of the Army” is dedicated to the key events of the Great Patriotic War. One of such events was the historic link-up of the Soviet and American soldiers. This moment became a symbol of mutual respect and cooperation.
In her painting “Spirit of the Elbe”, the artist Anne Burgess Rowe reproduced the famous photograph taken in 1945. She depicted two lieutenants — William Robertson and Alexander Silvashko. The soldiers embrace and congratulate each other on the end of World War II. In the background, there is a poster that reads “East Meets West.” This photo came to symbolize the heroic victory of the Allied forces.
The first Soviet soldiers to meet the Americans were the radio operators. By that time, the Allied forces had crossed the Rhine and eliminated a large German formation. They also managed to take Dresden and Magdeburg. April 16 marked the beginning of the Battle of Berlin. After defeating the Germans in the Ruhr Area, the Allied troops launched the last attack and met at the Elbe River.
When the first American patrol crossed the river, Soviet soldiers were already waiting for them on the east bank. This was the Soviet regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Gordeyev. The troops met on April 25. The same day, another American patrol crossed the destroyed Elbe bridge near Torgau. This is where a photographer took the famous picture of Robertson and Silvashko.
The Elbe link-up was of great importance. The leadership developed a system of special signs, to avoid attacking the allies. This helped to reduce potential losses among the soldiers. Washington and Moscow joined their forces to defeat the common enemy.
On April 26, the Soviet, American, and British governments released statements, reaffirming the determination to complete the destruction of the Third Reich. The rest of the German army was separated into the northern and southern parts. This was a crushing defeat for the enemy. The Allied forces managed to destroy the Wehrmacht.
Forty years later, William Robertson and Alexander Silvashko met again. After the war, Robertson became a neurosurgeon, and Silvashko became a schoolteacher. They greeted each other and embraced, reenacting the famous photo.
In her painting “Spirit of the Elbe”, the artist Anne Burgess Rowe reproduced the famous photograph taken in 1945. She depicted two lieutenants — William Robertson and Alexander Silvashko. The soldiers embrace and congratulate each other on the end of World War II. In the background, there is a poster that reads “East Meets West.” This photo came to symbolize the heroic victory of the Allied forces.
The first Soviet soldiers to meet the Americans were the radio operators. By that time, the Allied forces had crossed the Rhine and eliminated a large German formation. They also managed to take Dresden and Magdeburg. April 16 marked the beginning of the Battle of Berlin. After defeating the Germans in the Ruhr Area, the Allied troops launched the last attack and met at the Elbe River.
When the first American patrol crossed the river, Soviet soldiers were already waiting for them on the east bank. This was the Soviet regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Gordeyev. The troops met on April 25. The same day, another American patrol crossed the destroyed Elbe bridge near Torgau. This is where a photographer took the famous picture of Robertson and Silvashko.
The Elbe link-up was of great importance. The leadership developed a system of special signs, to avoid attacking the allies. This helped to reduce potential losses among the soldiers. Washington and Moscow joined their forces to defeat the common enemy.
On April 26, the Soviet, American, and British governments released statements, reaffirming the determination to complete the destruction of the Third Reich. The rest of the German army was separated into the northern and southern parts. This was a crushing defeat for the enemy. The Allied forces managed to destroy the Wehrmacht.
Forty years later, William Robertson and Alexander Silvashko met again. After the war, Robertson became a neurosurgeon, and Silvashko became a schoolteacher. They greeted each other and embraced, reenacting the famous photo.
