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10 lat i 20 dni: wspomnienia 1935-1945
Karl Donitz to jedna z najbardziej kontrowersyjnych postaci wśród przywódców III Reszy. Wyrokiem Trybunału Norymberskiego uznany został za zbrodniarza wojennego i skazany na 10 lat pozbawienia wolności.
Czy rzeczywiście twórca niemieckiej broni podwodnej w świetle obowiązującego prawa powinien zostać skazany? Czy też w myśl zasady: "zwycięzców się nie sądzi" i "przegrani nigdy nie mają racji" stał się przysłowiowym "kozłem ofiarnym" zwycięskiej koalicji?
Po raz pierwszy polski czytelnik będzie mógł zapoznać się z głosem oskarżonego. Kim był człowiek, któremu tak bezgranicznie zaufał Hitler naznaczając go swoim następcą?
Urodzony w 1891 roku Karl Donitz pochodził ze starej pruskiej rodziny. Jego ojciec, jak sam twierdzi "dałby się poćwiartować za cesarza Wilhelma I". Wychowany w duchu patriotycznym Donitz wstępuje do marynarki. W roku 1912 rozpoczyna służbę na krążowniku SMS "Breslau". Pierwsze dwa lata pierwszej wojny światowej spędza na pokładzie tego krążownika, uczestnicząc w operacjach na Morzu Czarnym. Od roku 1916 początkowo jako oficer wachtowy, a następnie jako samodzielny dowódca pływa na U-bootach w rejonie Morza Śródziemnego. 4.10.1918 podczas ataku na konwój brytyjski w okolicach Sycylii jego okręt podwodny zostaje zatopiony. Wraz z większością załogi zostaje on uratowany przez kontrtorpedowiec brytyjski i wzięty do niewoli.
Donitz jest zafascynowany służbą na U-bootach. Atmosfera koleżeńskości panująca wśród załogi i wielkie możliwości działania tego niewielkiego przecież okrętu wywarły na niego taki wpływ, że po powrocie z angielskiej niewoli decyduje się na ponowne wstąpienie do marynarki jedynie dlatego, że ma nadzieję, iż Niemcy wkrótce będą mogły znów posiadać okręty podwodne...
Czy rzeczywiście twórca niemieckiej broni podwodnej w świetle obowiązującego prawa powinien zostać skazany? Czy też w myśl zasady: "zwycięzców się nie sądzi" i "przegrani nigdy nie mają racji" stał się przysłowiowym "kozłem ofiarnym" zwycięskiej koalicji?
Po raz pierwszy polski czytelnik będzie mógł zapoznać się z głosem oskarżonego. Kim był człowiek, któremu tak bezgranicznie zaufał Hitler naznaczając go swoim następcą?
Urodzony w 1891 roku Karl Donitz pochodził ze starej pruskiej rodziny. Jego ojciec, jak sam twierdzi "dałby się poćwiartować za cesarza Wilhelma I". Wychowany w duchu patriotycznym Donitz wstępuje do marynarki. W roku 1912 rozpoczyna służbę na krążowniku SMS "Breslau". Pierwsze dwa lata pierwszej wojny światowej spędza na pokładzie tego krążownika, uczestnicząc w operacjach na Morzu Czarnym. Od roku 1916 początkowo jako oficer wachtowy, a następnie jako samodzielny dowódca pływa na U-bootach w rejonie Morza Śródziemnego. 4.10.1918 podczas ataku na konwój brytyjski w okolicach Sycylii jego okręt podwodny zostaje zatopiony. Wraz z większością załogi zostaje on uratowany przez kontrtorpedowiec brytyjski i wzięty do niewoli.
Donitz jest zafascynowany służbą na U-bootach. Atmosfera koleżeńskości panująca wśród załogi i wielkie możliwości działania tego niewielkiego przecież okrętu wywarły na niego taki wpływ, że po powrocie z angielskiej niewoli decyduje się na ponowne wstąpienie do marynarki jedynie dlatego, że ma nadzieję, iż Niemcy wkrótce będą mogły znów posiadać okręty podwodne...
601 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1958
112 people are currently reading
775 people want to read
About the author
Karl Dönitz
21 books12 followersGerman admiral and commander of Germany`s war fleet during the second world war and last president of the third German reich.
Dönitz was appointed as president of the reich in Hitler`s last will. During his reign he offered an proposal for capitulation to England, but still wanted to keep fighting the Russians. England refused his proposal.
After the war Dönitz was sentenced for crimes against peace and for giving out an order to not save enemy marines from drowning. He was released in 1956. He died in 1980.
Dönitz was appointed as president of the reich in Hitler`s last will. During his reign he offered an proposal for capitulation to England, but still wanted to keep fighting the Russians. England refused his proposal.
After the war Dönitz was sentenced for crimes against peace and for giving out an order to not save enemy marines from drowning. He was released in 1956. He died in 1980.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 17, 2011
This is a pretty dry read; however, it is very well written and very interesting, given the fact that it was written by the man who orchestrated Germany's U-Boat operations during WWII, and was also Hitler's successor following Hitler's death. As a submariner and engineer myself, I particularly appreciated Doenitz' technical style of writing, which included numbers and analysis given by official records of the war - therefore a lot of his memoir isn't just based on recollection but supported by official records kept by the allies, the memoirs of others, and his own war diary he kept throughout the war.
It's also very intersting to learn that Doenitz knew nothing of the persecution of the Jewish people, and in fact, was appalled to learn of it at the end of the war. I think this supports the fact that many German soldiers, sailors and airmen were really just fighting to serve their country, while the Nazi political operators and a select number of military personnel were the real perpetrators against humanity. The Germans were certainly the aggressors, but Doenitz' memoir revealed to me the personal struggle that a professional naval officer endured to fight for what he believed in and to serve his country to the best of his abilities. A struggle that many military servicemembers of any country face.
The majority of the book is about the Battle of the Atlantic and the conclusion of WWII from a German perspective. I would recommend this to anyone interested in WWII, German U-Boat Operations, and hearing from Hitler's successor at the end of it all.
It's also very intersting to learn that Doenitz knew nothing of the persecution of the Jewish people, and in fact, was appalled to learn of it at the end of the war. I think this supports the fact that many German soldiers, sailors and airmen were really just fighting to serve their country, while the Nazi political operators and a select number of military personnel were the real perpetrators against humanity. The Germans were certainly the aggressors, but Doenitz' memoir revealed to me the personal struggle that a professional naval officer endured to fight for what he believed in and to serve his country to the best of his abilities. A struggle that many military servicemembers of any country face.
The majority of the book is about the Battle of the Atlantic and the conclusion of WWII from a German perspective. I would recommend this to anyone interested in WWII, German U-Boat Operations, and hearing from Hitler's successor at the end of it all.
July 18, 2015
-La sobriedad del militar para ofrecer datos de interés.-
Género. Biografía (pero absolutamente centrada en la intervención del autor en la Segunda Guerra Mundial).
Lo que nos cuenta. Repaso a los acontecimientos de la vida del almirante Karl Dönitz que, además de unos cuantos datos para conocer su pasado y su relación con el arma de Marina, se centra en su servicio en la Kriegsmarine antes y durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, en cuyo final llegó a ser el sucesor del Fuhrer.
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Biografía (pero absolutamente centrada en la intervención del autor en la Segunda Guerra Mundial).
Lo que nos cuenta. Repaso a los acontecimientos de la vida del almirante Karl Dönitz que, además de unos cuantos datos para conocer su pasado y su relación con el arma de Marina, se centra en su servicio en la Kriegsmarine antes y durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, en cuyo final llegó a ser el sucesor del Fuhrer.
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
December 30, 2007
As a student of history, I found this book to be an excellent source for WWII history. Not only does he discuss the battles and the commanders, he also discussed the realities of war, and dealing with Hitler. A must read for anyone interested in WWII. I have read this a few times in the last ten years and always enjoy it.
April 28, 2010
As far as I am concerned, one of the definite must-read book on the Battle of the Atlantic. Doenitz delivers an honnest account of his experience of the operational and strategical direction of the battle.
The author frequently refers to the official history of the Royal Navy to either confirm or infirm his own view on specific events, something soldiers rarely do. This makes for a more objective recollection. The book holds many interesting details about the battle.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in this particular theater of operation and submarine warfare.
July 21, 2014
A great read, if a little dry, but Karl isn't a novelist so that's to be expected. This book gave me a new perspective on the war, through the eyes of a man whose talent and humanity was wasted on a regime of monsters and fools. Grand Admiral Donitz was a gentleman soldier much like his counterpart Rommel, and we're lucky Hitler didn't listen to him more.
June 15, 2014
This book, published in the wake of Albert Speer’s Inside the Third Reich and other memoirs of high-ranking men in the Nazi administration, fails to live up to its promise on a number of levels. The back cover promises “[c]andid portraits of Hitler, Goering, Bormann, Himmler, and other leaders of The [sic] Third Reich.” It has none. Rather, what we get are intimate descriptions of the technical details of naval operations, primarily U-Boat operations. Where Speer was at least attempting (however dubious his success) to grapple with the moral and political implications of his support for a criminal regime and to give an accurate portrayal of the darker side of Nazism, Doenitz is primarily interested in justifying himself, and thus avoids any reflective discussion. In certain ways, this book reflects Churchill’s memoirs more closely, since it focuses so closely on operations and strategy, but for all his meticulous detail, Churchill never loses sight of the bigger picture of what the war was ultimately about, while Doenitz has little to say about the larger implications, even of Germany’s defeat.
The most interesting section of this book is the “twenty days” part at the end. That is how long Doenitz served as the head of German government, after the death of Adolf Hitler. Most of that time was spent trying to organize the surrender, or more accurately to attempt to surrender to the Western Allies while continuing to hold off the Russians, which the Allies were having none of. Ultimately, the military situation was hopeless, and Doenitz had to give the “unconditional” surrender demanded of him, although he did squeeze a few minor concessions out at the end. This section of the book is the only area in which Doenitz looks beyond the day-to-day operations for which he was responsible, and attempts to justify holding out for the sake of the German people, although his arguments are not convincing, since the government he now headed had a history of doing more harm than good to those people. In the end, even as a record of a Nazi who “remained loyal,” this book has little to offer.
The most interesting section of this book is the “twenty days” part at the end. That is how long Doenitz served as the head of German government, after the death of Adolf Hitler. Most of that time was spent trying to organize the surrender, or more accurately to attempt to surrender to the Western Allies while continuing to hold off the Russians, which the Allies were having none of. Ultimately, the military situation was hopeless, and Doenitz had to give the “unconditional” surrender demanded of him, although he did squeeze a few minor concessions out at the end. This section of the book is the only area in which Doenitz looks beyond the day-to-day operations for which he was responsible, and attempts to justify holding out for the sake of the German people, although his arguments are not convincing, since the government he now headed had a history of doing more harm than good to those people. In the end, even as a record of a Nazi who “remained loyal,” this book has little to offer.
June 28, 2025
A fascinating and very readable inside account of, in the main, the U-Boat arm before and most especially during WWII, with the final odd but compelling twist when Dönitz is named as Hitler's successor.
The vast majority of this account, written about a decade after the war ended, concerns the history of U-Boat warfare, starting with a brief summary of Germany's WWI experiences and developments in this area (Dönitz served in this arm in WWI), and then examining the inter-war years.
In 1939 he was made rear-admiral and commander of submarines. His account of the U-Boat war is fascinating, managing to strike a very satisfying balance between raw information and exciting narrative. Overall he comes across rather similarly to Albert Speer, a capable and diligent technocrat, with very typically Germanic views of the time. He resembles Speer also in his crisply efficient charm.
This last point leads on to the ending, when Hitler names Dönitz as his successor. The latter says here that he was as surprised as everyone else by his own appointment. But claims he then went about it with the same sense of pragmatism and duty he brought to his Naval roles.
I've heard it said he wasn't a member of the Nazi party, and conversely that he covered up the sinking of the Athenia and helped dress escaping SS officers in naval garb, to avoid detection. He very certainly claims he knew little (but, significantly, not nothing) about the 'dark side' of National Socialism. As with Speer's autobiography, you have to bear in mind that the author seeks to put both himself and what did in the best possible light.
Despite this possibility of disingenuous claims of innocence, Dönitz served time as a war criminal. Nonetheless, his account of WWII is very interesting, both for his coverage of the U-Boat war, which as he says troubled Churchill far more than many nowadays are aware of, and the fact he succeeded Hitler, albeit as Germany collapsed and for just 20 days. Still, all in all, a fascinating and captivating read. Recommended.
The vast majority of this account, written about a decade after the war ended, concerns the history of U-Boat warfare, starting with a brief summary of Germany's WWI experiences and developments in this area (Dönitz served in this arm in WWI), and then examining the inter-war years.
In 1939 he was made rear-admiral and commander of submarines. His account of the U-Boat war is fascinating, managing to strike a very satisfying balance between raw information and exciting narrative. Overall he comes across rather similarly to Albert Speer, a capable and diligent technocrat, with very typically Germanic views of the time. He resembles Speer also in his crisply efficient charm.
This last point leads on to the ending, when Hitler names Dönitz as his successor. The latter says here that he was as surprised as everyone else by his own appointment. But claims he then went about it with the same sense of pragmatism and duty he brought to his Naval roles.
I've heard it said he wasn't a member of the Nazi party, and conversely that he covered up the sinking of the Athenia and helped dress escaping SS officers in naval garb, to avoid detection. He very certainly claims he knew little (but, significantly, not nothing) about the 'dark side' of National Socialism. As with Speer's autobiography, you have to bear in mind that the author seeks to put both himself and what did in the best possible light.
Despite this possibility of disingenuous claims of innocence, Dönitz served time as a war criminal. Nonetheless, his account of WWII is very interesting, both for his coverage of the U-Boat war, which as he says troubled Churchill far more than many nowadays are aware of, and the fact he succeeded Hitler, albeit as Germany collapsed and for just 20 days. Still, all in all, a fascinating and captivating read. Recommended.
March 21, 2023
Should be required reading
This memoir should be required reading for every history student. Very insightful into the “other side” story of the WWII and the events surrounding the periods from mid 19th Century through to today. Many may find it to be self serving and it may be, but it still presents an illuminating and credible narrative of the events described. I’m hesitant to write the following, but I will anyway. I was a Midshipman @ the US Naval Academy and on “youngster” cruise, when the new Youngsters (AKA Sophomores) were taken aboard, mostly Destroyers, and visited Europe. One of the ports was Hamburg. On a visit to a beer hall I sat with a Gentleman who was in an isolated area (completely empty space around him). I had a brief conversation, primarily about his concern I was alone. In retrospect it was Admiral Doenitz, who I read much later, was writing this Memoir while residing in a suburb of Hamburg in 1958.I had no clue at the time, in retrospect I had a surreal feel about the experience. The other patrons were clearly giving us a respectful space and lowered sound level.
This memoir should be required reading for every history student. Very insightful into the “other side” story of the WWII and the events surrounding the periods from mid 19th Century through to today. Many may find it to be self serving and it may be, but it still presents an illuminating and credible narrative of the events described. I’m hesitant to write the following, but I will anyway. I was a Midshipman @ the US Naval Academy and on “youngster” cruise, when the new Youngsters (AKA Sophomores) were taken aboard, mostly Destroyers, and visited Europe. One of the ports was Hamburg. On a visit to a beer hall I sat with a Gentleman who was in an isolated area (completely empty space around him). I had a brief conversation, primarily about his concern I was alone. In retrospect it was Admiral Doenitz, who I read much later, was writing this Memoir while residing in a suburb of Hamburg in 1958.I had no clue at the time, in retrospect I had a surreal feel about the experience. The other patrons were clearly giving us a respectful space and lowered sound level.
February 18, 2015
This a very interesting book looking at the war in the Atlantic from the perspective of the German side. Sometimes it got a bit dull, but for the most part there was always something to learn about. There is a lot of detail about events that happened that I didn't know about. I feel it is always good to know history from a perspective other than that of your own country. I can see that a lot of the innovations in the modern submarine technology came off German designs.
January 3, 2013
Fascinating account of WW2 U-boat command and strategy, written by Hitler's eventual (albeit brief) successor in a disarmingly matter-of-fact way. Compelling rather like a slow-car-crash, because he wrote it without adjustment for hindsight; so the reader shouts, Your U-boats are being sunk because the English have radar! But he did not realise this at the time. Surprisingly engaging.
September 7, 2020
Great book. Although it was written more than 60 years ago on many themes, it remains current. Of course, the files related to Ultra, after being released, shed new light on the Battle of the Atlantic.
I already knew the book but I was never interested because I thought it was a little out of date. It was worth reading.
I already knew the book but I was never interested because I thought it was a little out of date. It was worth reading.
August 4, 2020
An interesting memoir by a professional German naval officer who remained loyal to Der Fuhrer right to the end.
Was amazed to learn that the Germans never realized that the Enigma codes had been broken and that their radio transmissions were being read by the Allies.
Was amazed to learn that the Germans never realized that the Enigma codes had been broken and that their radio transmissions were being read by the Allies.
April 19, 2023
Thankfully Hitler didn't listen to this man. WW2 could have ended sooner and differently if he had - IMHO.
November 9, 2017
I enjoyed the style of the writing, it is very fact based, detailed and personal at the same time. Of course, he gives only a particular view into the facts, which has highlighted and hidden areas.
May 9, 2021
One of the few books that shows how the Germans handed the US its ass. If it wasn't for Russia and Hitler's drug abuse we would be speaking German now.
March 13, 2024
I finished it but my dog ate the last two pages of the book so I'm not sure how it ends. I'm pretty sure it was something along the lines of "I was just doing my duty, the Russians are evil and I had no idea Hitler was a bad guy."
The author was definitely NOT repentant about working for Hitler.
One thing that definitely bugged me about the book was that the translation was very Germanic. The sentence structure tended be very long and very awkward. It seems like it may have been translated directly from the original language as in "that is, technically, an English word but I wouldn't use it" and "where in the Christ is the verb in this run-on sentence?" To be fair, this book was originally published in 1959.
As for its content, the book did provide some context into the Battle of the Atlantic and the employment of U-Boats from a perspective I hadn't seen before. I was reading it from the perspective of knowing that Ultra was used to combat U-Boat effectiveness. I wanted to see if this was apparent from the German side. Short answer: no. The author continually chalks up the losses of his U-boats to the vast superiority in airpower held by the American and British.
The author was definitely NOT repentant about working for Hitler.
One thing that definitely bugged me about the book was that the translation was very Germanic. The sentence structure tended be very long and very awkward. It seems like it may have been translated directly from the original language as in "that is, technically, an English word but I wouldn't use it" and "where in the Christ is the verb in this run-on sentence?" To be fair, this book was originally published in 1959.
As for its content, the book did provide some context into the Battle of the Atlantic and the employment of U-Boats from a perspective I hadn't seen before. I was reading it from the perspective of knowing that Ultra was used to combat U-Boat effectiveness. I wanted to see if this was apparent from the German side. Short answer: no. The author continually chalks up the losses of his U-boats to the vast superiority in airpower held by the American and British.
February 4, 2020
Starting his career in WW1 as uboat captain this remarkable man climbed the hierarchy of the navy to become hochadmiral of the navy. Then at the twilight of it all he became Fuerer for two weeks. Long enoughto cow mighty Himmler to accept him as leader, pointing a gun at Himmler's face to force him into submission, boy would I love to see that; and to force Keitel to sign unconditional surrender on the part of the ruined reich.
At dresden he got a vedrict of 10 years 20 days.
And then became Karol Doenitz. Ex fuerer, ex high admiral.
A readable book about a hardworking man who did the best in any position he was in.
At dresden he got a vedrict of 10 years 20 days.
And then became Karol Doenitz. Ex fuerer, ex high admiral.
A readable book about a hardworking man who did the best in any position he was in.
March 3, 2018
Una magnífica autobiografia (ojo, no estamos valorando la deleznable ideología nazi, execrable de todas la formas) en la que Dönitz hace un repaso al arma submarina alemana de la segunda guerra mundial. Muy recomendable para todos aquellos apasionados por la literatura bélica.
Otra cosa es el personaje en sí, el cual parecía que no se entereba de lo que estaba pasando en su tercer Reich por aquellos días.
Otra cosa es el personaje en sí, el cual parecía que no se entereba de lo que estaba pasando en su tercer Reich por aquellos días.
August 6, 2024
Took me longer to read the ebook, but this is probably the best book that I have read this year on the WW2 topic.
You get clear rationale of the Navy decision, the intensity of combat from the log or war diary, and the seldom heard Navy perspective on the war.
The end of the book is heart wrenching, but a great historical account regardless.
My respect for Karl Dönitz increased by many folds after I read this.
You get clear rationale of the Navy decision, the intensity of combat from the log or war diary, and the seldom heard Navy perspective on the war.
The end of the book is heart wrenching, but a great historical account regardless.
My respect for Karl Dönitz increased by many folds after I read this.
October 18, 2018
An excelent book that should read every navy officer.
November 19, 2023
Las memorias y más de una personalidad tan importante como la del Almirante Dönitz siempre son del mayor interés. Escritas con un tono muy marcial.
June 11, 2018
Commander of the U-boat fleet, Supreme Naval Commander, and finally Hitler's successor in the last days of the Third Reich, Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz has been condemned as a Nazi and praised as one of the most brilliant and honorable military leaders of the war. His "wolfpack" tactics resulted in a handful of U-boats sinking 14.5 million tons and nearly deciding the Battle of the Atlantic. Sentenced to ten years at the Nuremberg Trials, Doenitz wrote his memoirs upon his release. In a clear firm style he discusses the planning and execution of the U-boat campaign; the controversial sinking of the "Laconia;" America's "neutrality" before its entry into the war; the Normandy invasion; the July 1944 bomb plot; his encounters with Raeder, Goring, Speer, Himmler, and Hitler; as well as his own brief tenure as the last Fuhrer. Doenitz's invaluable work allows the reader to view the war at sea through the periscope's eye.
January 7, 2013
A good insight to the U-boat war!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews