Photo: Ernst Sandau Jr. · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Wikimedia Commons
Born in Germany · Nationality German — Politics / regimes / war
Documented profile covering 9 controversies, including “Life sentence followed by early release on health grounds” and “Nuremberg trial: guilty on counts 1, 2 and 3”.
Profile No. 2612 · Updated on 12 October 2026
§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology
Case · 7 documented stages
1946-1955
Raeder was sentenced to life imprisonment at Nuremberg. Held at Spandau, he was released in 1955 on health grounds after approximately nine years in detention and died in 1960.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1939-1943
Under his command, the Kriegsmarine conducted submarine warfare which the prosecution alleged violated the London Naval Protocol, including attacks on merchant and neutral vessels. The passenger liner Athenia was sunk by U-30 on 3 September 1939; the regime subsequently denied German responsibility.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1942
Hitler's order of 18 October 1942 targeting commandos was transmitted by the naval staff to lower levels with instructions to communicate it orally. Two uniformed commandos were executed by the navy in Bordeaux on 10 December 1942; Raeder acknowledged passing the order down the chain of command without protesting to Hitler.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1939-1940
As early as October 1939, Raeder's navy considered acquiring Norwegian bases, including by force. Raeder raised the issue with Hitler, met Quisling in December and participated in preparing the operation that led to the invasion of Denmark and Norway on 9 April 1940.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1928-1939
Commander-in-Chief of the German navy before and after Hitler came to power, Raeder participated in the accelerated rebuilding of German naval power and remained at the heart of the military leadership as the regime prepared its wars of expansion.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1937-1939
Raeder was among the senior commanders present at the Hossbach Conference on 5 November 1937. He subsequently received directives concerning plans against Czechoslovakia and Fall Weiss against Poland, as well as military briefings in May and August 1939.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1939
The Fall Weiss directives received by Raeder provided for naval support for the attack on Poland through operations from the sea. The Tribunal included his participation in this planning in its conviction for crimes against peace.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1945-1946
Protagonist not prosecuted — these proceedings are not counted in their formal charges or convictions.
The International Military Tribunal found Raeder guilty of conspiracy, crimes against peace and war crimes. He was not convicted of crimes against humanity under count 4.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1943-01
Following serious disagreements over the usefulness of the surface fleet and Hitler's decision to decommission several major warships, Raeder requested relief from his duties. He relinquished command at the end of January 1943 and was succeeded by Dönitz.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
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