The 50k Wehrmacht troops outside of Minsk come to mind in 1944, but really I'd be interested to see how such hostile forces in large numbers could actually coordinate a cease fire. Obviously it didn't turn out well for them but were there literal white flags? Did senior officers send a communication to the red army with their intention to surrender?
I've read so much on the logistics of the battle, the preparation and the execution of all the militaries in WW2 but what exactly went on those last couple hours to actually coordinate a cease fire between huge mechanized forces that had been killing each other for years?
Communication. An official communication from High Command would indicate a surrender. And, when surrenders happened, they were usually expected, or at least, understandable (i.e., it was known you had no chance, or no food, or no ammo).
Below is an excerpt from the diary of an aide to Freidrich Paulus, who commanded the German Forces at Stalingrad. It shows you how he was personally offered the terms of surrender, and this was also communicated to all the troops, who were then captured by the Soviets (as was he). The Soviets actually offered Paulus multiple opportunities to surrender, but Hitler ordered Paulus to refuse to submit. At the end of January, Paulus communicated the army was on the verge of collapse. Hitler promoted Paulus and a number of other men to 'raise morale'. Paulus surrendered, without authorisation from the Fuehrer.
January 31, 1943 - 7.00 a.m. It was still dark but day was dawning almost imperceptibly. Paulus was asleep. It was some time before I could break out of the maze of thoughts and strange dreams that depressed me so greatly. But I don't think I remained in this state for very long. I was going to get up quietly when someone knocked at the door. Paulus awoke and sat up. It was the HQ commander. He handed the colonel general a piece of paper and said: 'Congratulations. The rank of field marshal has been conferred upon you. The dispatch came early this morning - it was the last one.'
'One can't help feeling it's an invitation to suicide. However I'm not going to do them such a favour.' said Paulus after reading the dispatch. Schmidt continued: 'At the same time I have to inform you that the Russians are at the door.' with these words he opened the door and a Soviet general and his interpreter entered the room. The general announced that we were his prisoners. I placed my revolver on the table.
'Prepare yourself for departure. We shall be back for you at 9.00. You will go in your personal car.' said the Soviet general through his interpreter. Then they left the room. I had the official seal with me. I prepared for my last official duty. I recorded Paulus's new rank in his military document, stamped it with the seal then threw the seal into the glowing fire.
The main entrance to the cellar was closed and guarded by the Soviet soldiers. An officer, the head of the guards, allowed me and the driver to go out and get the car ready. Climbing out of the cellar, I stood dumbfounded. Soviet and German soldiers, who just a few hours earlier had been shooting at one another, now stood quietly together in the yard. They were all armed, some with weapons in their hands, some with them over their shoulders.
My God, what a contrast between the two sides! The German soldiers, ragged and in light coats, looked like ghosts with hollow, unshaven cheeks. The Red Army fighters looked fresh and wore warm winter uniforms. Involuntarily I remembered the chain of unfortunate events which had prevented me from sleeping for so many nights. The appearance of the Red Army soldiers seemed symbolic. At 9.00 sharp the HQ commander of the 64th Army arrived to take the commander of the vanquished German 6th Army and its staff towards the rear. The march towards the Volga had ended
I have a related question, how were captured officers treated in Germany and the Soviet Union. I would imagine treated better, but was it drastically different, or on par with how average German soldiers treated in Allied hands?