Erich Raeder (24 Apr. 1876 - 6 Nov. 1960)
In 1939, Raeder became Großadmiral of the Kriegsmarine. Also in that year, he motioned the idea of capturing Norway to defend ships from the RAF, though was opposed by the Naval Staff. Later, German forces would take Norway. He was an insightful commander who felt that the best way to eliminate the British from the war was to capture the Mediterranean and Middle East, blocking the Suez Canal and capturing Gibraltar. His recommendations that Rommel should invade Egypt were finally realised in 1941.
His insights also meant that he believed the invasion of the Soviet Union was a complete mistake, and he opposed it. Raeder believed that Germany would have been more successful had she focused on a wider strategy. Raeder was not as successful himself with the operations of the naval forces; having succumbed to several defeats, and was demoted to Admiral Inspector in January of 1943. A few months later in May, he resigned totally from the Kriegsmarine.
For more information on Erich Raeder:
Bird, Keith. Erich Raeder: Admiral of the Third Reich (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press), 2006.
His insights also meant that he believed the invasion of the Soviet Union was a complete mistake, and he opposed it. Raeder believed that Germany would have been more successful had she focused on a wider strategy. Raeder was not as successful himself with the operations of the naval forces; having succumbed to several defeats, and was demoted to Admiral Inspector in January of 1943. A few months later in May, he resigned totally from the Kriegsmarine.
For more information on Erich Raeder:
Bird, Keith. Erich Raeder: Admiral of the Third Reich (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press), 2006.