Karl Donitz, born16 September 1891 – 24 December 1980) was a German grand admiral and convicted war criminal who, following Adolf Hitler's suicide during the Second World War in April 1945 succeeded him as head of state of Nazi Germany. He held the position until the dissolution of the Flensburg Government following Germany's unconditional surrender to the Allies weeks later. As Supreme Commander of the Navy beginning in 1943, he played a major role in the naval history of the war.
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