Originator of the wolf-pack submarine technique, which sank 15 million tonnes of Allied shipping in World War II. He succeeded Hitler 1945, capitulated, and was imprisoned 1946-56. He was in charge of Germany's U-boat force 1939-43 and his wolf-packs sank 15 million tonnes of Allied shipping during the course of the war. He succeeded Raeder as commander in chief of the Navy Jan 1943 and devoted himself to trying to overcome Allied naval superiority. Hitler trusted him when he had lost faith in his Army and Luftwaffe commanders, and so Do{uml}nitz was appointed to succeed him May 1945. His sole deed as leader of the Reich was to negotiate its surrender. He was arrested 23 May, tried at Nuremberg and was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment.
