Erich Raeder

Erich Raeder (1876-1960) was a German admiral and a key naval leader during World War II. He served as the Commander of the Kriegsmarine, Germany's navy, and was instrumental in developing naval strategy, including the U-boat campaign against Allied shipping. Raeder believed in a strong battleship fleet, yet faced challenges due to limited resources. After the war, he was tried and convicted at the Nuremberg Trials for war crimes, particularly related to the unrestricted submarine warfare strategy. His legacy is complicated, reflecting both military ambition and the darker aspects of his wartime decisions.