Funeral of Karl Dönitz

6th January 1981

Karl Dönitz was a German naval commander during WWII. In January 1943, Dönitz achieved the rank of Grand Admiral and replaced Grand Admiral Erich Raeder as Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy.

On 30 April 1945, after the death of Adolf Hitler and in accordance with Hitler's last will and testament, Dönitz was named Hitler's successor as Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. He was the last President of the Third Reich.

He died of a heart attack on Christmas Eve 1980, aged 89.