Page "Walter Bedell Smith" Paragraph 2

Smith became chief of staff to Eisenhower at Allied Forces Headquarters ( AFHQ ) in September 1942.

He acquired a reputation as Eisenhower's " hatchet man " for his brusque and demanding manner.

However, he was also capable of representing Eisenhower on sensitive missions requiring diplomatic skill.

Smith was involved in negotiating the Armistice between Italy and Allied armed forces, which he signed on behalf of Eisenhower.

In 1944 he became Chief of Staff of Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force ( SHAEF ), again under Eisenhower.

He successfully negotiated food aid for the starving Dutch civilian population in the cities in the west of the country, and opened discussions for the peaceful and complete German capitulation in Holland.

In May 1945 he met with the representatives of the German High Command to negotiate the surrender of the German Armed Forces.