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Dönitz, Karl

Date of birth:
September 16th, 1891 (Berlin-Grünau, German Empire)
Date of death:
December 24th, 1980 (Aumühle, Germany)
Service number:
NSDAP-Nr.: 9.664.999
Nationality:
German

Biography

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Rank:
Fähnrich (Midshipsman)
Awarded on:
June 7th, 1913
Königlich Preußisches Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Leutnant zur See (Sub-lieutenant)
Awarded on:
September 7th, 1914
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Leutnant zur See (Sub-lieutenant)
Awarded on:
November 7th, 1914
Silver Liakat medal
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Leutnant zur See (Sub-lieutenant)
Awarded on:
November 7th, 1914
Harp Madalyasi
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Unterleutnant zur See (Sub Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
May 5th, 1916
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See (Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
January 17th, 1917
Friedrich Kreuz I Klasse
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See (Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
March 13th, 1917

With sabers
Mecidiye Nişanı - 4th class
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See (Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
December 24th, 1917

with war decoration
Militärverdienstkreuz III. Klasse
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See (Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
June 10th, 1918
Ritter des Königlicher Preussischer Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See (Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
October 4th, 1918
U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen (1918)
Rank:
Fregattenkapitän (Commander)
Awarded on:
January 30th, 1935
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Rank:
Kapitän zur See (Navy Captain)
Awarded on:
April 12th, 1936
Kungliga Svärdsorden - Knight  1st Degree
Rank:
Kapitän zur See (Navy Captain)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  1.Klasse, 25 Jahre
Rank:
Kapitän zur See (Navy Captain)
Awarded on:
August 20th, 1938
Magyar Érdemrend Középkeresztje
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Kommodore (Commodore)
Awarded on:
September 18th, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Konteradmiral (Commodore)
Awarded on:
December 20th, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Konteradmiral (Commodore)
Awarded on:
December 20th, 1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Konteradmiral (Commodore)
Awarded on:
February 27th, 1940
U-boot Kriegsabzeichen (ohne Brillianten)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Konteradmiral (Commodore)
Unit:
Befehlshaber der U-Boote (BdU)
Awarded on:
April 21st, 1940
Awarded for the outstanding successes of his U-Boats against the British fleet and allied merchant shipping.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Konteradmiral (Commodore)
Awarded on:
June 10th, 1940
Gran Cruz Naval con distintivo Blanco
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Vizeadmiral (Rear-admiral)
Awarded on:
November 9th, 1941
Ordine Militare di Savoia -Commander
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Admiral (Vice-admiral)
Awarded on:
March 14th, 1942
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Grossadmiral (Admiral of the Fleet)
Unit:
Oberbefehlshaber Der Kriegsmarine / Befehlshaber der U-Boote
Awarded on:
April 6th, 1943
Awarded for his achievements as leader of the U-Boat arm and the associated successes of his forces, especially in the Atlantic ocean.

223rd Award.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Grossadmiral (Admiral of the Fleet)
Awarded on:
April 12th, 1943
Ordinul Mihai Viteazul Clasa 3
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Grossadmiral (Admiral of the Fleet)
Awarded on:
April 12th, 1943
Ordinul Mihai Viteazul Clasa 2
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Grossadmiral (Admiral of the Fleet)
Awarded on:
September 11th, 1943
Kyuokujitsu sho, 1st Class
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Grossadmiral (Admiral of the Fleet)
Awarded on:
1943
The awarding of this decoration is uncertain. Dönitz was supposed to have received it in an exchange, where Hermann Göring was supposed to have received the U-boot Kriegsabzeichen mit Brillianten. In correspondence with Christopher Ailsby, Karl Dönitz stated he had no recollection of the exchange.
Gemeinsames Flugzeugfuhrer-Beobachter Abzeichen mit Brillianten
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Grossadmiral (Admiral of the Fleet)
Awarded on:
January 30th, 1944
Goldenes Ehrenzeichen der NSDAP
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Grossadmiral (Admiral of the Fleet)
Awarded on:
April 11th, 1944

Version with swords.
Vapaudenristin Suurristi (VR SR)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Grossadmiral (Admiral of the Fleet)
Awarded on:
May 5th, 1945
Wehrmachtbericht

War Diary mentions

23 May 1945 WO 171/5201 - 1 Herefordshire Regiment
Operation Blackout - the object of which was to liquidate the puppet German Government formed by Admiral Doenitz, with the 15/19 Hussars and the 1st. Cheshire co-operating.

23 May 1945 WO 171/5201 - 1 Herefordshire Regiment
The Bn. received the order to commence.Phase II "D" Coy. moved to seal the South and South West escape ways at 248964 and 249963 while "B" Coy searched the buildings at 249964, and "C" Coy sealed the road from the coast at 249969 to 253966 whilst "A" Coy searched Admirals Doenitz house and the marine barracks, also hospital at 253970. The 15/19th. Hussars sealed the S.E.corner of the area and the carrier A remained in reserve.Command Post and the prisoner collecting point were at 253966.The Germans were taken by surprise and the operation was successful, a total of 756 prisoners were taken, among whom the following were the most important: - Grand Admiral Doenitz, Admiral Lindeman, Korv.Kpt.von Krosig, Min.Rat.A.D.Stellrecht, Min.Rat.Seifort, Oberst.i .G.Wirsing, Oberstlt.Antonuis, Gen.Lt.Thomase, Major i G.Heich, General Major Scheffer.

Sources

  • Photo 1: Wilco Vermeer
  • - DÖRR, MANFRED, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehmacht 1939–1945, Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück, 1995.
    - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück (2002
    - Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull (2003)
    - Kurowski F., Knight’s Cross Holders of the U-Boat Service, Schiffer Publishing (1995)
    - Busch, R.; Röll, Hans-Joachim, Der U-Boot-Krieg 1939–1945 – Die Ritterkreuzträger der U-Boot-Waffe von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 (2003)
    - das-ritterkreuz.de