Question: A naval leader in Germany before and during World War II  attained the highest possible naval rank since who, was later replaced by  the man who briefly succeeded Adolf Hitler as the head of state of Germany?
Context: In October and November 1940, German–Soviet Axis talks occurred concerning the Soviet Union's potential entry as a fourth Axis Power in World War II.  The negotiations, which occurred during the era of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, included a two-day Berlin conference between Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov, Adolf Hitler and German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop, followed by both countries trading written proposed agreements.  After two days of negotiations from 12 to 14 November 1940, Germany presented the Soviets with a draft written Axis pact agreement defining the world spheres of influence of the four proposed Axis powers (Japan, Germany, Soviet Union, Italy).  Hitler, Ribbentrop and Molotov tried to set German and Soviet spheres of influence; Hitler encouraged Molotov to look south to Iran and eventually India while preserving German access to Finland's resources, and to remove Soviet influence in the Balkans.  Molotov remained firm, seeking to remove German troops from Finland and gain a warm water port in the Balkans.  Soviet foreign policy calculations were predicated by the idea that the war would be a long - term struggle and therefore German claims that Britain would be defeated swiftly were treated with scepticism.  In addition Stalin sought to remain influential in Bulgaria and Yugoslavia.  These factors resulted in Molotov taking a firm line.  According to a Columbia University academical source, on 25 November 1940, the Soviets presented a Stalin-drafted written counterproposal where they would accept the four power pact, but it included Soviet rights to Bulgaria and a world sphere of influence centered on the area around modern Iraq and Iran.  Germany did not respond, leaving the negotiations unresolved.  Regarding the counterproposal, Hitler remarked to his top military chiefs that Stalin "demands more and more", "he's a cold-blooded blackmailer" and that "a German victory has become unbearable for Russia" so that "she must be brought to her knees as soon as possible."  Germany broke the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in June 1941 by invading the Soviet Union. Erich Johann Albert Raeder (24 April 1876 – 6 November 1960) was a naval leader in Germany before and during World War II.  Raeder attained the highest possible naval rank—that of "Großadmiral" (Grand Admiral) — in 1939, becoming the first person to hold that rank since Alfred von Tirpitz.  Raeder led the "Kriegsmarine" (German War Navy) for the first half of the war; he resigned in 1943 and was replaced by Karl Dönitz.  He was sentenced to life in prison at the Nuremberg Trials, but was released early due to failing health. Erich Johann Albert Raeder (24 April 1876 – 6 November 1960) was a naval leader in Germany who played a major role in the Naval history of World War II.  Raeder attained the highest possible naval rank—that of "Großadmiral" (Grand Admiral) — in 1939, becoming the first person to hold that rank since Alfred von Tirpitz.  Raeder led the "Kriegsmarine" (German War Navy) for the first half of the war; he resigned in 1943 and was replaced by Karl Dönitz.  He was sentenced to life in prison at the Nuremberg Trials, but was released early due to failing health.  Raeder is also well known for dismissing Reinhard Heydrich from the Reichsmarine in April 1931 for "conduct unbecoming to an officer and a gentleman". Erich Johann Albert Raeder (24 April 1876 – 6 November 1960) was a naval leader in Germany before and during World War II.  Raeder attained the highest possible naval rank—that of "Großadmiral" (Grand Admiral) — in 1939, becoming the first person to hold that rank since Alfred von Tirpitz.  Raeder led the "Kriegsmarine" (German War Navy) for the first half of the war; he resigned in 1943 and was replaced by Karl Dönitz.  He was sentenced to life in prison at the Nuremberg Trials, but was released early due to failing health.  Raeder is also well known for dismissing Reinhard Heydrich from the Reichsmarine in April 1931 for "conduct unbecoming to an officer and a gentleman". Erich Raeder (24 April 1876 – 6 November 1960) was a naval leader in Germany who played a major role in the naval history of World War II.  Raeder attained the highest possible naval rank—that of Grand Admiral — in 1939, becoming the first person to hold that rank since Alfred von Tirpitz.  Raeder led the "Kriegsmarine" for the first half of the war; he resigned in 1943 and was replaced by Karl Dönitz.  He was sentenced to life in prison at the Nuremberg Trials, but was released early due to failing health. Analysis of the Personality of Adolph Hitler: With Predictions of His Future Behavior and Suggestions for Dealing with Him Now and After Germany's Surrender was a report prepared by Henry A. Murray for the United States Office of Strategic Services during World War II.  It was one of two psychoanalytic reports prepared for the OSS on Nazi Germany leader Adolf Hitler; the other was "A Psychological Analysis of Adolph Hitler: His Life and Legend" (later published in book form under the title "The Mind of Adolf Hitler"). Befehlsleiter (Command Leader) was a Nazi Party political rank of Nazi Germany which existed between 1939 and 1945.  Divided into three levels ("Befehlsleiter", "Oberbefehlsleiter", and "Hauptbefehlsleiter") the rank was the highest possible paramilitary political rank, except for that of Gauleiter and Reichsleiter which were outside the regular promotion tier and available only by direct appointment from Adolf Hitler. Erich Johann Albert Raeder (24 April 1876 – 6 November 1960) was a naval leader in Germany before and during World War II.  Raeder attained the highest possible naval rank—that of "Großadmiral" (Grand Admiral) — in 1939, becoming the first person to hold that rank since Alfred von Tirpitz.  Raeder led the "Kriegsmarine" (German War Navy) for the first half of the war; he resigned in 1943 and was replaced by Karl Dönitz.  He was sentenced to life in prison at the Nuremberg Trials, but was released early due to failing health.  Raeder is also well known for dismissing Reinhard Heydrich from the Reichsmarine in April 1931 for "conduct unbecoming to an officer and a gentleman". Karl Dönitz (sometimes spelt Doenitz) (] ; 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. Adolf Hitler (20 April 1889 – 30 April 1945) was the leader of the National Socialist German Workers' Party and Chancellor of Nazi Germany from 1933 (Führer from 1934) to 1945.  Hitler has been represented in popular culture ever since he became a well-known politician in Germany.  His distinctive image was often parodied by his opponents.  Parodies became much more prominent outside Germany during his period in power.  Since the end of World War II representations of Hitler, both serious and satirical, have continued to be prominent in popular culture, sometimes generating significant controversy.  In many periodicals, books, and movies, Hitler and Nazism fulfill the role of archetypal evil.  This treatment is not confined to fiction but is widespread amongst nonfiction writers who have discussed him in this vein.  Hitler has retained a fascination from other perspectives; among many comparable examples is an exhibition at the German Historical Museum which was widely attended.
Answer: Alfred von Tirpitz