Doentiz was born in Prussia. He joined the German Imperial Navy, and in 1916 began specializing in submarine warfare. Doenitz was the commander of the German submarine fleet during World War II. In 1943 Doenitz became the commander of the German Navy. After Hitler committed suicide, Doenitz commanded German forces for six days until surrendering to the Allies. Doenitz was found guilty at the Nuremberg trial and served ten years in Spandau prison.
