Erich Raeder Biography and Timeline

Admiral

Appointed Admiral

Armament

Germany circumvents the Versailles Treaty by using pocket Battle ships & submarines

Treaty of Versailles

The German Navy circumvents the Treaty by including pocket Battle ships & submarines

Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander in Chief

Z Plan

Plans to build up a navy adequate to challenge Great Britain

Mobilization

Appeals to Hitler not to begin a war

Norway Strategy

Supports seizing Norwegian ports before the Allies can cut the ore route.

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Operation Weserubung

Raeder supports the plan to seize Norway before Allied forces can establish bases along the coast.

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Great Britain

Raeder advises British invasion as a last resort to force Britain to sue for peace

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Operation Sea Lion

Military chiefs meet to discuss the invasion of Britain but Raeder advises against

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Operation Sea Lion

Sets 20-26 September as the earliest date on which the Navy can be ready

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Battle of Britain

Raeder believes that air superiority might make a successful landing possible although it would be a risky operation and required "absolute mastery over the Channel by our air forces"

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Invasion of Great Britain

Raeder believes that air superiority might make a successful landing possible although it would be a risky operation and required "absolute mastery over the Channel by our air forces"

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Operation Sea Lion

Raeder believes that air superiority might make a successful landing possible although it would be a risky operation and required "absolute mastery over the Channel by our air forces"

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Invasion of Great Britain

Raeder advises Hitler that there is not enough air cover for an invasion of Britain

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Operation Sea Lion

Says Germany does not enough air superiority over England to launch Sea Lion

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Operation Sea Lion

Preparations are deferred to the Spring but only to keep pressure on the British. Operation Sea Lion is called off

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Invasion of Russia

Tries to convince Hitler to defeat Britain before the Americans join the British

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Operation Barbarossa

Tries to convince Hitler to defeat Britain before the Americans join the British

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Invasion of Egypt

Appeals in vain to launch an offensive against Egypt & Suez

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Suez Canal

Appeals in vain to launch an offensive against Egypt & Suez

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Suez Canal

Urges Hitler to concentrate on Mediterranean strategy and seize the Suez Canal, but the proposal is not adopted.

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Battle of Britain

Grand Admiral Erich Raeder, Commander in Chief of the Kriegsmarine (German Navy), told Hitler that an invasion could only be contemplated as a last resort, and only after full air superiority had been achieved

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Invasion of Africa

Advises Hitler the fight for Africa, "decisive importance for the outcome of the war". Advises Hitler that Italy's promise to invade Africa is meaningless

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Battle of Barents Sea

Defeated in battle & later forced to resign by Hitler

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Retirement

Disagrees with Hitler's strategy of scrapping the surface fleet & retires

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1935-1943

Defence Testimony at Nuremberg

Raeder continued his testimony in defence of his conduct and naval command.

Role range: 1939-1945

Defence Testimony at Nuremberg

Raeder continued his testimony in defence of his conduct and naval command.

Role range: 1939-1945

Defence Testimony at Nuremberg

Raeder continued his testimony in defence of his conduct and naval command.

Role range: 1939-1945

Defence Testimony at Nuremberg

Raeder continued his testimony in defence of his conduct and naval command.

Role range: 1939-1945

Defence Testimony at Nuremberg

Raeder continued his testimony in defence of his conduct and naval command.

Role range: 1939-1945

IMT Verdict for Erich Raeder

Raeder is convicted and given life imprisonment for his role in naval planning and participation in aggressive war.

Role range: 1939-1945

Raeder Begins Life Imprisonment

Raeder begins serving the Tribunal's life sentence for his participation in naval planning and aggressive war.

Role range: 1939-1945

Raeder Testifies in Milch Case

Erich Raeder gives defence testimony concerning Milch's standing within the German leadership and wartime command structure.

Role range: 1939-1945