Quotes About Dönitz

In May of that year, forty-one U-boats were destroyed by Allied forces, a disaster that came to be known as "Black May" and which Dönitz described as "unimaginable, even in my wildest dreams." The "Happy Time" had yielded to Sauregurkenzeit, or "Sour-Pickle Time.

But the matter just about resolved itself of its own accord, in a tragic and macabre way. We were still at war, and among other things Dönitz could only answer, 'There is no longer any point in concerning yourself with submariners. Most of them are no longer with us …'.

Submariners considered themselves the royalty of the German navy, and when they returned from successful patrols, their reception, especially at Lorient, was regal indeed. Dönitz himself was on hand to greet them, as was a brass band and a crowd of welcomers, including a number of attractive young German women who would bestow flowers and kisses on the victorious sub commanders. Medals would be awarded, speeches made, and triumphant anthems played.