WW2 German Kriegsmarine ADMIRAL KARL DONITZ Wartime Postcard
16 September 1891 24 December 1980 was a German admiral who played a major role in the naval history of World War II. Dönitz briefly succeeded Adolf Hitler as the head of state of Germany. He began his career in the Imperial German Navy before World War I. In 1918, he was commanding UB-68 when she was sunk by British forces.
While in a prisoner of war camp, he formulated what he later called Rudeltaktik ("pack tactic", commonly called "wolfpack"). At the start of World War II, he was the senior submarine officer in the Kriegsmarine. In January 1943, Dönitz achieved the rank of Großadmiral (grand admiral) and replaced Grand Admiral Erich Raeder as Commander-in-Chief of the 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, with the title of President of Germany and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. On 7 May 1945, he ordered Alfred Jodl, Chief of Operations Staff of the OKW, to sign the German instruments of surrender in Reims, France. Dönitz remained as head of the Flensburg Government, as it became known, until it was dissolved by the Allied powers on 23 May. Made of heavy card, the a date of 1939, this postcard is in SUPERB condition! Featuring a photographic image of Karl Donitz, there are no major marks or wear! A PERFECT addition to any collection or display! Most of my items are vintage, and as such are AS-IS, so you must therefore expect a degree of wear due to age and/or usage. Although my passion is the Me109, I do offer many other German Aircraft Fw190, Me262, etc., as well as USAF and Japanese items. Occasionally I do offer many non-vintage items such as prints and art relating to the time period. Use is solely based on my authorization only.
The item "WW2 German Kriegsmarine ADMIRAL KARL DONITZ Wartime Postcard" is in sale since Sunday, May 12, 2019. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Autographs\Military". The seller is "messerschmitt_109" and is located in Malibu, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.