KARL DÖNITZ

(1891-1980)

Karl Dönitz was born on 16 September in Grünau, by Berlin as the son of an engineer. In 1910 Karl Dönitz complete his examination at the Real gymnasium in Weimar. Not so long after, he makes his entrance in the navy for two years as a “Seekadett”. In 1912 he was a “Fähnrich” and stationated on the cruiser “Breslau”. On year later he was promoted to Lieutenant. In the First World War the Breslau was stationated at the Black Sea and was there active. After he was promoted to “Oberleutnant” Dönitz was obvious to the U-BOAT-FLOTTE.

In October 1918, Dönitz was a commander of an u-boat and a little later a British prisoner. After the war, Dönitz stays in the “Kriegsmarine” and has the commando of a Torpedo unit.  In 1923, Dönitz start his education for “Admiralstabsoffizier”. In 1924, Dönitz was commentator for instruction by the “Marineleitung” in Berlin. After several promotions and commands in the North- and East Sea, Dönitz was promoted in 1930 to “Erster Admiralstabsoffizier” of the North Sea Navy Station in Wilhelmshaven. In 1934, Dönitz was “Fregattenkapitän” and has the command on the cruiser “Emden”. Hereafter the equipment was limited in a fleet agreement, Karl Dönitz takes the initiative to rebuilt the u-boat weapon.

As the new named “Fuhrer der U-Boote” in 1936,  Dönitz concentrates himself on the education for all the attacks over water by night and the attacks of complete groups of U-Boats, which was named the “Rudeltaktik”. In 1939, Karl Dönitz was named to “Konteradmiral”. With his appointment to “Befehlshaber der U-Boats” Dönitz took the leadership of the organization and Operations of the U-Boat weapon. In 1942, Dönitz was promoted to Admiral. One year later, he became the rank of “Grossadmirals”. He took the place of Erich Raeder, who was dismissed by Hitler. In 1944 Karl Dönitz received the Golden Party Badge. At the end of the War, (1 Mai 1945) Hitler makes his personal testament and named Dönitz his successor as “Reichspräsident”. Karl Dönitz takes over the leadership of the Reich and also the supreme command of the Wehrmacht. Two days later, Dönitz request for a step-by-step capitulation, and to hold this as long as possible, for a withdraw and escape of Army and civilians from the East area. On the 8 of Mai, Dönitz talks on the radio to explain the unconditional capitulation of the Wehrmacht. On the 23 of Mai he was discharged and arrested by the British Oberkommando together with the “Reichsregierung” and the “Wehrmachtsführung”. In Oktober 1946, his was condemned to ten years of prison in the “Nürnberger Hauptkriegsverbrecherprozess”. In 1956 he was released from his prison in Berlin- Spandau. In 1968 he wrote a book, his memoirs “Mein Wechselvolles Leben”.

Karl Dönitz died on 24 December 1980 in Aumühle (Schleswig- Holstein).

DÖNITZ, Karl (RK m. EL)
(1891 - 1980)
Großadmiral:
Born: 16. 09. 1891 in Grünau bei Berlin.
Died: 24. 12. 1980 in Aumühle bei Hamburg.
Promotions:
Grossadmiral: 30.01.43; Admiral: 14.03.42; Vizeadmiral: 1.09.40; Konteradmiral: 1.10.39; Kommodore: 28.01.39; Kapitän zur See: 1.10.35; Fregattenkapitän: 1.10.33; Korvettenkäpitan: 1.11.28; Kapitänleutnant: 1.01.21; Oberleutnant zur See: 22.03.16; Leutnant zur See: 27.09.13; Fähnrich zur See: 15.04.11; Seekadett: 1.04.10.
Assignments: Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine: Jan.1943-1. May 1945.
Befehlshaber der U-Boote (B.d.U.):
Watch Officer, U-39: 17. Jan. 1917-28. Feb. 1918.
U-Boat training: Dec. 1916-16. Jan. 1917.
Fliegerstation San Stefano and Dardanelles: 12. Sep. 1916-Dec. 1916.
Light Cruiser "Breslau-Midilli": 1. Oct. 1912-11. Sep. 1916.
Marineschule u. Spezialkurse: 1. Apr. 1911-30. Sep. 1912.
Basic Training & Assignment to heavy cruiser "Herta": 1. Apr. 1910-31. Mar. 1911.
Postwar Prosecution:
Tried by International Military Tribunal, Nuremberg. Sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, 1. Oct. 1946. Released, 1956.
Decorations & Awards:
Ritterkreuz des E.K.: 21. 04. 1940 as Befehlshaber der U-Boote (B.d.U.).
--Eichenlaub: 6. 04. 1943 (Nr. 223) as Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine und Befehlshaber der U-Boote;
U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen mit Brillanten;
1939 Spange zum 1914 EK I: 20.12.1939
1939 Spange zum 1914 EK II: 18.09.1939
1914 EK I: 5.05.1916
1914 EK II: 7.11.1914
Wehrmachtbericht: 14.03.1942 & 5.05.1945
U-Bootabzeichen, 1918;
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer;
Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnungen
Deutscher Orden: 05. 1945
Goldenes Parteiabzeichen
 

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