Who belongs in the top five German admirals before West Germany?
Short answerSpee, Scheer and Prince Henry are preferred, with Dönitz included more tentatively; Hipper and Tirpitz fall outside the top five.
NotesThe personal ranking puts Graf Spee, Scheer, Prince Henry and, more tentatively, Dönitz among the preferred German admirals before West Germany. Hipper is considered capable but falls outside the top five, and Tirpitz is also excluded. Spee and Scheer are each placed above Hipper. Prince Henry receives the clearest command example: his work in the Baltic and his use of the forces allotted by his brother. The ranking rests on those selected comparisons and personal judgments.