 Nevertheless, although the Nazi state was designated as a criminal enterprise with no valid claim to exercise civil authority in Germany, this 'criminal' designation was not extended by the Allies to the German High Command and the members of the armed forces.Generals in the service of the Nazi state remained generals, soldiers remained soldiers and military orders issued by the German High Command were valid orders with legal effect right up to 8 May 1945, notwithstanding that the counterpart civil state of Germany was considered already extinct.It followed that the representatives of the German High Command had been legally entitled to sign the Instrument of Surrender in Berlin; and that their orders therein to the army, navy and airforce to lay down their arms were valid orders, properly enforceable through the procedures of military discipline.