Karl Doenitz Biography and Timeline

Birth of Karl Doenitz

Birth of Karl Doenitz

Education

Enters the Imperial Navy

Lieutenant

Appointed Lieutenant on the Breslau

Captain

Appointed Commander of the Weddigen, a U-boat

Commander of FdU

Appointed Fuhrer der Unterseeboote

Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote

Appointed Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote, Admiral

Battle of Britain

Believes air superiority was "not enough". Donitz later stated, "we possessed neither control of the air or the sea; nor were we in any position to gain it"

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Great Britain

Believes air superiority was "not enough". Donitz later stated, "we possessed neither control of the air or the sea; nor were we in any position to gain it"

Role range: 1939-1945

Operation Sea Lion

Believes air superiority was "not enough". Donitz later stated, "we possessed neither control of the air or the sea; nor were we in any position to gain it"

Role range: 1939-1945

Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander of the German Navy, directs the U-boat offensive

Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander of the German Navy, directs the U-boat offensive

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1943-1945

Battle of Convoy ONS5

Twelve ships are sunk with the loss of two U-boats

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1943-1945

Battle of Atlantic

Doenitz withdraws the U-boats from the North Atlantic

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1943-1945

Battle of Convoy HX229

March 15-March 19, 37 U-boats chase 98 merchant ships sinking 21 & losing 1 U-boat

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1943-1945

Battle of Atlantic

Redeploys the U-Boats to attack more Eastbound convoys. During the 1st 3 weeks of May 31 U-boats are sunk, a reversal in the North Atlantic

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1943-1945

Sinking of U-954 - Dönitz Family Loss

U-954 was sunk with all hands on 19 May 1943 while operating against convoy SC 130; Karl Dönitz's son Peter was among those killed.

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1943-1945

Sinking of U-954

During the 1st 3 weeks of May 31 U-boats are sunk, a reversal in the North Atlantic

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1943-1945

Flensburg Government

Doenitz forms what becomes known as the Flensburg Government, which controlled only a tiny area of Germany near the Danish border, including the town of Flensburg

Role range: 1945-1945

Government

Forms a new Cabinet & orders an unconditional surrender

Role range: 1945-1945

President of Germany

Doenitz forms what becomes known as the Flensburg Government, which controlled only a tiny area of Germany near the Danish border, including the town of Flensburg

Role range: 1945-1945

President of Germany

Appointed President of the Reich & Hitler's successor, on the day of Hitler's death

President of Germany

Appointed President of the Reich & Hitler's successor, on the day of Hitler's death

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1945-1945

Constitution of Germany

In Hitler's 1945 political testament he appoints Admiral Karl Doenitz to succeed him, but he names Doenitz as President, not Fuhrer, thereby re-establishing a constitutional office which had lain dormant since Hindenburgs death in 1934

President of Germany

In Hitler's 1945 political testament he appoints Admiral Karl Doenitz to succeed him, but he names Doenitz as President, not Fuhrer, thereby re-establishing a constitutional office which had lain dormant since Hindenburgs death in 1934

Result of Surrender of Berlin

Berlin passes into Soviet control after the city's defenders capitulate.

Role range: 1939-1945

Surrender of Berlin

Berlin surrenders to the Soviet Army

Role range: 1939-1945

Result of Surrender of German Armed Forces

All German armed forces are ordered to cease resistance to the Allies.

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1945-1945

Surrender of German Armed Forces

Unconditional surrender of all German forces to the Allies

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1945-1945

Result of Surrender of German Armed Forces

Dönitz authorises the general surrender of German forces, ending further organised national resistance.

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1943-1945

Surrender of German Armed Forces

Authorizes unconditional surrender of all German fighting forces

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1943-1945

Flensburg Government

Dissolved by the Allies

Role range: 1945-1945

Berlin Declaration

The Allied Berlin Declaration abolishes all the institutions of German civil Government, and establishes that the constitution no longer holds any legal force

Constitution of Germany

The Allied Berlin Declaration abolishes all the institutions of German civil Government, and establishes that the constitution no longer holds any legal force

Indictment Served at Nuremberg

The International Military Tribunal served the indictment, Charter and notice of rights on him at Nuremberg.

Role range: 1939-1945

Not Guilty Plea at Nuremberg

He entered a plea of not guilty before the International Military Tribunal.

Role range: 1939-1945

IMT Verdict for Karl Doenitz

Doenitz is convicted on selected counts and sentenced to ten years imprisonment for his wartime leadership and participation in aggressive war.

Role range: 1939-1945

Arrest of Karl Doenitz

Doenitz is released from prison

Role range: 1939-1945

Death of Karl Doenitz

Death of Karl Doenitz