The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Signatories · Wehrmacht
Karl Dönitz (1891–1980): Signature, Documents and Historical Profile
| Born | 16 September 1891, Grünau near Berlin |
|---|---|
| Died | 24 December 1980, Aumühle |
| Key offices | Commander of the U-boat arm (1936); Commander-in-Chief of the Navy (January 1943); head of state as Hitler’s successor (May 1945) |
| Documents bearing his name | Kriegsmarine orders and correspondence; post-war signed letters, photographs and books |
| In the collection | 1 piece currently available (see below) |
Karl Dönitz led Germany’s U-boat war and, for a few days in May 1945, the collapsing Reich itself. Like Speer, he lived long after the war and signed letters, photographs and books, so collectors meet both wartime and post-war Dönitz signatures. Telling them apart is the first task.
Who Was Karl Dönitz?
Dönitz was born in Grünau near Berlin in 1891 and served as a submarine officer in the First World War. In 1936 he was appointed commander of the new U-boat arm. In January 1943 he replaced Erich Raeder as Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. Hitler named him his successor, and he assumed the leadership of the state on 2 May 1945 for the few days before Germany’s surrender.
What Documents Bear Dönitz’s Signature?
Wartime signatures appear on Kriegsmarine orders, appointment and promotion papers and correspondence. After his release in 1956 he wrote memoirs and answered many letters, so post-war signed letters, photographs and books are relatively common. Both are genuine autographs but belong to different periods. See original signature or facsimile.
What Should Collectors Watch For?
- Wartime and post-war signatures must be described separately.
- Rank and office must agree with the date.
- Check naval letterheads and stamps against the period.
Responsibility and Fate
In 1946 the International Military Tribunal sentenced Dönitz to ten years’ imprisonment. He was released in 1956 and died in Aumühle on 24 December 1980.
Collector’s Note
Post-war Dönitz letters are among the more accessible signed items of a senior wartime figure. I always note the date and context of such a letter clearly, so that it is never confused with a wartime document.
Related Entries and Pieces
Pieces in the Collection
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Frequently Asked Questions
When did Dönitz command the navy?
From January 1943, when he replaced Erich Raeder.
Was Dönitz head of state?
Yes, as Hitler’s named successor, for a few days from 2 May 1945.
What was Dönitz sentenced to?
Ten years’ imprisonment, in 1946.
Historical Responsibility Notice: this entry documents historical figures and artefacts of the National Socialist period for collecting, preservation, education and research. It does not endorse or glorify any ideology, and it is written in memory of the victims of the regime.
References & Further Reading
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, Karl Dönitz (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, revised 2026).
- ‘Dönitz, Karl’, Deutsche Biographie.