Karl Dönitz

Lore & Background

Dönitz began his career in the Imperial German Navy before the First World War. In 1918, while commanding UB-68, he was captured as a prisoner of war by British forces after attacking a convoy near Malta. During this action, he began to formulate the concept of U-boats operating in attack groups (Rudeltaktik, or 'wolfpack') for greater efficiency. After the war, he continued his naval career in the Weimar Republic's armed forces, eventually commanding the cruiser Emden and later the U-boat flotilla Weddigen. By the start of the Second World War, he was supreme commander of the Kriegsmarine's U-boat arm. In January 1943, he achieved the rank of Großadmiral and replaced Grand Admiral Erich Raeder as Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. He was the main enemy of Allied naval forces in the Battle of the Atlantic. From 1939 to 1943, the U-boats fought effectively but lost the initiative from May 1943. He ordered his submarines into battle until 1945. 648 U-boats were lost, with around 30,000 of the 40,000 men who served in U-boats perishing.

Reader's Guide

Karl Dönitz's significance lies in his role as the architect of Germany's U-boat campaign in the Battle of the Atlantic and his brief tenure as head of state of Nazi Germany after Hitler's suicide. His development of wolfpack tactics revolutionized submarine warfare, allowing U-boats to coordinate attacks on convoys. However, from May 1943, the Allies gained the initiative, and Dönitz continued to order submarines into battle despite heavy losses. After the war, he was indicted at the Nuremberg trials on three counts: conspiracy to commit crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. He was found not guilty of crimes against humanity but guilty of crimes against peace and crimes against the laws of war, and was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment. His legacy is controversial: he was a dedicated Nazi and supporter of Hitler, yet his tactical innovations influenced naval warfare. After his release, he lived quietly near Hamburg until his death in 1980.

Did You Know?

• Dönitz was captured as a prisoner of war by British forces in 1918 after commanding UB-68.
• Both of Dönitz's sons, Klaus and Peter, were killed in action during World War II.
• He was named Hitler's successor as head of state on 30 April 1945, in accordance with Hitler's last will and testament.
• Dönitz ordered Alfred Jodl to sign the German Instrument of Surrender on 7 May 1945, formally ending the war in Europe.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Orders issued on September 17, 1942, after an American Airplane bombed a U-boat carrying survivors. Quoted in "The Trial of the Germans" - Page 406 - by Eugene Davidson - History - 1997." — Karl Dönitz "Our losses...have reached an intolerable level. The enemy air force played a decisive role in inflicting these high losses." — Karl Dönitz "May 24, 1943, quoted in "A Time for Courage: The Royal Air Force in the European War, 1939-1945" - Page 449 - by John Terraine - History - 1985." — Karl Dönitz "The enemy holds every trump card, covering all areas with long-range air patrols and using location methods against which we still have no warning...The enemy knows all our secrets and we know none of his." — Karl Dönitz