How Soviet and U.S. troops met on the Elbe River

The historic meeting took place on April 25, 1945, in northwestern Saxony. The first to arrive at the Elbe were units of General Courtney Hodges' 1st American Army.

The troops halted at the line and began to wait for the approach of the Soviet allies. Meanwhile, several U.S. reconnaissance groups crossed to the opposite bank.

At about 11:30 am, in one of the villages, Lieutenant Albert Kotzebue's group noticed a rider in a Soviet military uniform. However, he did not make contact and disappeared.

Two hours later, near the town of Riza, Kotzebue came upon a group of Soviet soldiers, led by Senior Lieutenant Grigory Goloborodko of the 58th Guards Rifle Division. The American went to the location of the Soviet troops and stayed there until evening.

On the same day, the groups of Guards Lieutenant Alexander Silvashko and Lieutenant William Robertson met near the town of Torgau. The Soviet soldiers saw a uniformed soldier on the bell tower and wanted to open fire, but he began waving his arms and shouting, "Moscow-America!"

It was one of Robertson's scouts. Soon, the officer himself appeared and invited Silvashko to the location of the U.S. troops.

On April 26, a full-fledged ceremonial meeting was organized in Torgau with the participation of soldiers and command staff, which included photo sessions, feasts and the exchange of gifts.

It was then that the famous joint photograph of Robertson and Silvashko, which traveled around the world, was taken against the backdrop of a poster reading "East meets West".

Credit: Allan Jackson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images/Alexander Ustinov/Georgy Khomzor/Sputnik/William E. Poulson

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