Dönitz, << DAY nihts, >> Karl (1891-1980), a German admiral, became commander in chief of the German fleet in January 1943, during World War II. Before this appointment, he directed development of the German submarine service. He invented the “wolf pack” technique of submarine warfare to penetrate convoy defenses. With the collapse of Germany in 1945, Adolf Hitler chose Dönitz to succeed him as head of state. Dönitz concluded peace with the Allies.
Dönitz was a loyal Nazi and an admirer of Hitler. He was tried for war crimes and crimes against peace in Nuremberg, Germany, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was released in 1956. Dönitz, also spelled Doenitz, was born in Grunau, near Berlin, on Sept. 16, 1891. He died on Dec. 24, 1980.
See also Atlantic, Battle of the .
