Torgau, Germany, April 25, 1945 In front of sign symbolizing the historic meeting of the Russian and American armies, stand happy 2nd Lt. William D. Robertson, Los Angeles, California, 69th Infantry Division, U.S. First Army, and Lt. Alexander Sylvashko, Russian Army. Lieutenant Robertson was the first man to meet the Russian Forces, meeting a Russian enlisted man on the twisted and sloping girders of a blown-out bridge, spanning the Elbe River, east of Torgau, Germany, and Lieutenant Sylvashko on the east bank of the Elbe river.