Germany: WWII US-Soviet handshake recreated on the Elbe

Actors recreated an historic handshake between US and Soviet officers that took place during World War II on the Elbe river, Saturday, as veterans, soldiers and dozens of their family members gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Elbe Day, waving Russian, US and German flags. The gathering is held to commemorate the historic link-up between Red Army and American soldiers at the Elbe River on April 25, 1945 during World War II. The organisers used the opportunity to call for greater cooperation between the two states. The memorial was organised by the Carnegie Moscow Center. Contact between US and Soviet patrols began on April 25, with a "formal handshake" being held for photographers on April 26. The famous handshake of 2nd Lt. William Robertson and Lt. Alexander Silvaschko has become symbolic of a crucial step towards the eventual end of World War II.