KEITEL: Yes, he discussed it thoroughly and also gave his reasons for it.
DR. STAHMER: What reasons did he give?
KEITEL: He pointed out the great difficulties encountered in the areas from which he was supposed to draft or recruit manpower; the strong activity of guerillas and partisans in these areas, the great obstacles in obtaining sufficient police forces for protecting the action, and similar reasons. I do not remember any details.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: Field Marshal, were you the leader of the German delegation which signed the capitulation with which the war in Europe was terminated?
KEITEL: Yes.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: When and where did that take place?
KEITEL: In Berlin on 8 May, that is to say during the night from 8 to 9 May 1945.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: Were you asked for full powers which would authorize you to negotiate about the capitulation?
KEITEL: Yes. I took the full powers with me to Berlin. They had been signed by Grossadmiral Dönitz in his capacity as Chief of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Wehrmacht and stated in a few words that he had authorized and ordered me to conduct the negotiations and to sign the capitulation.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: Were these full powers examined and acknowledged by the Allies?