Karl Dönitz

Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz was commander of the U-Boat fleet of the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) during the Second World War. Dönitz also served as a U-Boat captain during the First World War.

President

Upon the death of Hitler and Goebbels, Dönitz was appointed President[1][2]. Dönitz immediately opened up negotiations with the Allied Powers to offer Germany's unconditional surrender[3]. On May 7, the British and US governments accepted a surrender authorized by Dönitz[4]. The decision was controversial, as the the Big Three Allied Powers had agreed not to accept any separate peace terms. Dönitz was subsequently arrested by the British and tried as a war criminal at Nürnberg [5].

Trial

Dönitz was placed on trial in Nürnberg where he was sentenced to ten years imprisonment for war crimes, largely related to his policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. A part of his defense at the trial was that the US had also waged unrestricted submarine warfare from day one of their involvement.

Release

After his release he lived a quiet life writing a small number of books. His most famous being his memoir 10 Jahre, 20 Tage. 10 Years and 20 days; an allusion to his 10 years as a Kriegsmarine officer and his 20 days as the nominal head of the German state.