Erich Raeder
Erich Johann Albert Raeder (24 April 1876 in Wandsbek - 6 November 1960 in Kiel) was a naval leader in Germany before and during the Second World War. He was made a "Großadmiral" (, equivalent to Admiral of the Fleet) in 1939, which is the highest naval rank. Born in 1876 in Hamburg, Germany, Raeder joined the Imperial German Navy in 1894, rising through the ranks. Raeder played a significant role in planning naval strategy during World War I. After the war, he advocated for a powerful German navy. He played a key role in the buildup of the Kriegsmarine, advocating for submarine warfare. Raeder fell out of favor with Hitler later in the war. In 1943 he was replaced by Karl Dönitz in his position as head of the German Navy.