title: Erich Raeder during World War II
Karl Dönitz
Flensburg Government
Erich Raeder resignation and later
German Navy
Erich Raeder pre Grand Admiral
Interwar naval service of Erich Raeder
Erich Raeder
Naval Artillery War Badge
Admiral (Germany)
sentences: 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".
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.
The Flensburg Government (German: "Flensburger Regierung" ), also known as the Flensburg Cabinet ("Flensburger Kabinett"), the Dönitz Government ("Regierung Dönitz"), or the Schwerin von Krosigk Cabinet ("Kabinett Schwerin von Krosigk"), was the short-lived government of Nazi Germany during a period of three weeks around the end of World War II in Europe.
 The government was formed following the suicide of Adolf Hitler on 30 April 1945 during the Battle of Berlin.
 It was headed by Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz as the Reichspräsident and Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk as the Leading Minister.
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.
The German Navy (German: Deutsche Marine or simply German: Marine —   ) is the navy of Germany and part of the unified "Bundeswehr" ("Federal Defense"), the German Armed Forces.
 The German Navy was originally known as the "Bundesmarine" ("Federal Navy") from 1956 until 1995 when "Deutsche Marine" ("German Navy") became the official name with respect to the 1990 incorporation of the East German "Volksmarine" ("People's Navy").
 It is deeply integrated into the NATO alliance.
 Its primary mission is protection of Germany's territorial waters and maritime infrastructure as well as sea lines of communication.
 Apart from this, the German Navy participates in peacekeeping operations, and renders humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
 They also participate in Anti-Piracy operations.
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 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.
The Naval Artillery War Badge or War Badge for the Coastal Artillery (German: "Kriegsabzeichen für die Marineartillerie" ) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to the crews of Kriegsmarine land-based marine artillery and anti-aircraft units.
 It was presented to personnel of coastal defense units, and anti-aircraft units.
 The award was instituted on 24 June 1941 by Grand Admiral Erich Raeder to reward the actions of both individuals and crew members.
 It was also awarded to those killed in action in said units.
Admiral, short Adm, (en: Admiral) is the most senior flag officer rank in the German Navy.
 It is equivalent to General (Germany) in the German Army or German Air Force.
 In the Central Medical Services there is no equivalent.
 In the German Navy "Admiral" is, as in many navies, a four-star rank with a NATO code of OF-9.
 There is currently one admiral in the German Navy, Admiral Manfred Nielson, serving as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformationin Norfolk, Virginia.

Question: Question: Erich Raeder and Karl Dönitz both reached what rank in the German Navy? 

 Your answer will be verified with exact match score. To ensure correct verification, only provide the answer within the <answer> </answer> tags. Do not put any sentences or reasoning process within the <answer> </answer> tags. 

Supporting Information: Paragraph 0 

 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". 

--------------------------------

Paragraph 1 

 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. 

--------------------------------

Paragraph 2 

 The Flensburg Government (German: "Flensburger Regierung" ), also known as the Flensburg Cabinet ("Flensburger Kabinett"), the Dönitz Government ("Regierung Dönitz"), or the Schwerin von Krosigk Cabinet ("Kabinett Schwerin von Krosigk"), was the short-lived government of Nazi Germany during a period of three weeks around the end of World War II in Europe.
 The government was formed following the suicide of Adolf Hitler on 30 April 1945 during the Battle of Berlin.
 It was headed by Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz as the Reichspräsident and Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk as the Leading Minister. 

--------------------------------

Paragraph 3 

 The German Navy (German: Deutsche Marine or simply German: Marine —   ) is the navy of Germany and part of the unified "Bundeswehr" ("Federal Defense"), the German Armed Forces.
 The German Navy was originally known as the "Bundesmarine" ("Federal Navy") from 1956 until 1995 when "Deutsche Marine" ("German Navy") became the official name with respect to the 1990 incorporation of the East German "Volksmarine" ("People's Navy").
 It is deeply integrated into the NATO alliance.
 Its primary mission is protection of Germany's territorial waters and maritime infrastructure as well as sea lines of communication.
 Apart from this, the German Navy participates in peacekeeping operations, and renders humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
 They also participate in Anti-Piracy operations. 

--------------------------------

Paragraph 4 

 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". 

--------------------------------

Paragraph 5 

 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". 

--------------------------------

Paragraph 6 

 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. 

--------------------------------

Paragraph 7 

 Admiral, short Adm, (en: Admiral) is the most senior flag officer rank in the German Navy.
 It is equivalent to General (Germany) in the German Army or German Air Force.
 In the Central Medical Services there is no equivalent.
 In the German Navy "Admiral" is, as in many navies, a four-star rank with a NATO code of OF-9.
 There is currently one admiral in the German Navy, Admiral Manfred Nielson, serving as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformationin Norfolk, Virginia. 

--------------------------------

 


Answer: Grand Admiral