 |
Karl DonitzGrand admiral, war criminal
Date of Birth: 16.09.1891
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Biography of Karl Dönitz
- Early Submarine Career
- Interwar Years and World War II
- Commander of the U-Boat Fleet
- Later Years and Nuremberg Trials
- Legacy
Biography of Karl Dönitz
Early Life and Military CareerKarl Dönitz was born on September 16, 1891, in Grüna, near Berlin. He was the youngest son of Emil Dönitz, an engineer-optician from the Carl Zeiss company in Jena. After completing his education, Dönitz joined the Imperial Naval Academy in Kiel in 1910. He later transferred to the Naval Academy in Mürwik, where he graduated as a lieutenant in 1913. During the Balkan Crisis, Dönitz participated in the blockade of Montenegro aboard the cruiser "Breslau." When World War I broke out, he was stationed on the "Breslau" in the Mediterranean Sea before joining the Turkish fleet.
Early Submarine Career
In 1916, Dönitz began his training as a submarine officer. He performed well on the U-39 submarine and was sent to Kiel for submarine commander courses. In January 1918, he was appointed commander of the UC-25 submarine in the Mediterranean Sea. Dönitz gained recognition for his successful attacks on enemy ships and was awarded the Order of the House of Hohenzollern. He continued his submarine operations, sinking several more ships near the island of Corfu. In 1919, Dönitz returned to Germany and served on the naval base in Kiel.
Interwar Years and World War II
After World War I, Dönitz remained in the German Navy, which was limited by the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. He served on various ships and participated in the development of new naval technologies. In 1928, he was promoted to frigate captain and continued his naval career, commanding the light cruiser "Emden" in 1934. With Hitler's rise to power, Dönitz returned to the submarine fleet and became known for his innovative tactics and strategies.
Commander of the U-Boat Fleet
In 1935, Dönitz was appointed as the Commander of the U-Boat fleet and played a crucial role in developing Germany's submarine warfare capabilities. He advocated for targeting enemy merchant ships to disrupt supply lines rather than engaging in direct military confrontation. Dönitz implemented various tactics, including the formation of "wolf packs," groups of submarines attacking convoys. Under his leadership, the German U-Boats achieved significant success in the early years of the war.
Later Years and Nuremberg Trials
As the war progressed, the tide turned against Germany, and Dönitz's efforts to counter the Allied forces became increasingly challenging. Despite his best efforts, the German U-Boats faced mounting losses and struggled to disrupt enemy shipping. In May 1945, Dönitz was appointed as Hitler's successor and briefly served as the President of Germany. However, he was captured by Allied forces and stood trial at the Nuremberg Trials.
Legacy
Dönitz was found guilty of war crimes but received a relatively lenient sentence of ten years in prison. After his release in 1956, he lived a quiet life and dedicated himself to writing about his experiences. Dönitz passed away on December 24, 1980, leaving behind a controversial legacy as one of Germany's most prominent naval commanders.
