- Born
- Died
- Height5′ 6″ (1.68 m)
- Erich Raeder was born on April 24, 1876 in Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany. He died on November 6, 1960 in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
- Sentenced to life imprisonment by the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg in 1946. Released in 1955 due to ill health.
- Commander in chief of the German Navy (1928-1943).
- Publicly stated that Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare in both world wars was in direct response to the UK's naval blockade, which was illegal under international law.
- Repeatedly urged Hitler to declare war on the United States in 1941, especially after the Americans sent forces to relieve the British occupation of Iceland.
- Like his successor Karl Dönitz, Raeder's conviction for war crimes was highly controversial as the Allies had waged unrestricted warfare in the battles of the Atlantic and the Pacific from the very beginning.
- Reports have already been received of the transfer of some [American] battleships from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is certain that light forces, especially destroyers will be required in increased numbers in the Pacific. The need for transport ships will be very great, so that a withdrawal of American merchant ships from the Atlantic can be expected. The strain on British merchant shipping will increase ... The U.S will have to concentrate all her strength in the Pacific during the next few months. Britain will not to run any risks after her severe losses of big ships [Raeder is referring to sinkings of the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse]. It is hardly likely that transport tonnage is available for such occupation tasks or bringing up supplies ... It is improbable that the enemy will give up East Asia even temporarily; by so doing Britain will endanger India very seriously, and the U.S. cannot withdraw her fleet from the Pacific as long as the Japanese fleet has the upper hand. (12 December 1941)
- [on Franklin D. Roosevelt's shoot on sight order] German forces must expect offensive war measures by these American forces. There is no longer any difference between British and American ships.
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