Johann Schmidt

Karl Donitz was a German navy commander under Adolf Hitler during WWII.

Story
Donitz was born in Grunau in Berlin, Germany to Emil Donitz and Anna Beyer. He was the younger brother of Friedrich. In WWI, he was part of the SMS Breslau crew. 1914, the Breslau and the SMS Goeben were changed to Midilli and Yavuz Sultan Selim. When the ships were hit badly, Donitz was transferred to submarine forces. 1918, he commanded the submarine UB-68. The sub was sunk and then Donitz was captured. He was released a year later and went home to Germany in 1920.

In WWII, Donitz participated in the war under the Nazi party as "Commander of the Submarines". 1940, Donitz became Vizeadmiral. In the Kriegsmarine, Donitz relied on U-Boats to fight off Allied ships. His prized ship, the Tirpitz was destroyed by the British, then the Schamhorst was hit hard by the HMS Duke of York. Although some U-Boats were not destroyed, the Kriegsmarine was no more. Donitz was taken to the Nuremberg War Trials and sentenced to 10 years in Spandau. Karl Donitz finally retired to Aumuhle in West Germany. 1980, Donitz died of a heart attack. He was buried a year later.