Erich Raeder

Erich Raeder
Ernst Sandau Jr. · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · source
Name	Erich Raeder
Birth date	April 24, 1876
Death date	November 6, 1960
Allegiance	German Empire, Weimar Republic, Nazi Germany
Serviceyears	1894–1943
Rank	Großadmiral

Erich Raeder was a prominent German Navy officer who played a crucial role in the development of the Kriegsmarine during the Interwar period. He served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine from 1935 to 1943, overseeing the expansion and modernization of the German Navy. Raeder's career was marked by his involvement in several significant events, including World War I and World War II, where he interacted with notable figures such as Adolf Hitler, Hermann Göring, and Joachim von Ribbentrop. His interactions also extended to other key leaders like Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, and Winston Churchill.

● Early Life and Career

Erich Raeder was born in Wandsbek, a district of Hamburg, to a family of Prussian descent. He began his naval career in 1894, attending the German Naval Academy in Kiel, where he was influenced by the works of Alfred von Tirpitz and Kaiser Wilhelm II. Raeder's early career involved service on various German Navy ships, including the SMS Brandenburg and the SMS Kaiser Friedrich III, and he participated in the Boxer Rebellion alongside Felix von Luckner and Reinhard Scheer. During this period, he also developed relationships with other future naval leaders, such as Karl Dönitz and Günther Lütjens.

● World War I and

the Interwar Period Raeder served as a staff officer during World War I, playing a key role in the Battle of Jutland under the command of Reinhard Scheer and Franz von Hipper. After the war, he continued to serve in the Reichsmarine, rising through the ranks and becoming involved in the development of the Treaty of Versailles and the Washington Naval Treaty alongside Gustav Stresemann and Hans Linstow. Raeder's interactions during this period also included Paul von Hindenburg, Heinrich Brüning, and Kurt von Schleicher. He was influenced by the strategic thinking of Julian Corbett and Alfred Mahan, and he developed a deep understanding of the works of Carl von Clausewitz and Helmuth von Moltke the Elder.

● Commander-in-Chief of

the Kriegsmarine In 1935, Raeder was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine by Adolf Hitler, with whom he had developed a close relationship. He oversaw the expansion and modernization of the Kriegsmarine, including the development of the Bismarck-class battleships and the Tirpitz. Raeder worked closely with other high-ranking officials, such as Hermann Göring and Joachim von Ribbentrop, to implement the Four-Year Plan and prepare for World War II. His interactions also extended to other key leaders like Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, and Winston Churchill, as well as notable naval leaders like Isoroku Yamamoto and André Gide.

● World War II

During World War II, Raeder played a significant role in the development of the Kriegsmarine's strategy, including the Battle of the Atlantic and the Invasion of Norway. He worked closely with Karl Dönitz and Günther Lütjens to implement the U-boat campaign against the Royal Navy and the United States Navy. Raeder's interactions during this period also included Heinrich Himmler, Hermann Göring, and Joachim von Ribbentrop, as well as other notable leaders like Georgy Zhukov and Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was influenced by the strategic thinking of Erwin Rommel and Heinz Guderian, and he developed a deep understanding of the works of Carl von Clausewitz and Helmuth von Moltke the Elder.

● Trial and Later Life

After the end of World War II, Raeder was tried at the Nuremberg Trials for his role in the war, alongside other high-ranking officials such as Hermann Göring and Joachim von Ribbentrop. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, serving his sentence at Spandau Prison alongside Rudolf Hess and Walther Funk. Raeder was released from prison in 1955 due to poor health, and he spent the remainder of his life in Kiel, where he died in 1960. His legacy was influenced by the works of Hannah Arendt and Karl Jaspers, and he was remembered by notable figures like Konrad Adenauer and Theodor Heuss.

● Legacy

Erich Raeder's legacy is complex and multifaceted, reflecting his involvement in both World War I and World War II. He is remembered as a skilled naval strategist and a key figure in the development of the Kriegsmarine, and his interactions with other notable leaders like Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Winston Churchill continue to be studied by historians today. Raeder's legacy is also influenced by the works of Carl von Clausewitz and Helmuth von Moltke the Elder, and he is remembered by notable figures like Georgy Zhukov and Dwight D. Eisenhower. His impact on the development of naval warfare and his role in shaping the course of World War II remain significant topics of study and debate among historians and scholars, including Ian Kershaw and Richard J. Evans. Category:German military personnel