Raeder underestimated the likelihood of war while vulnerable German ships were deployed abroad in 1939. Two Deutschland-class Panzerschiffe, including Deutschland, were already operating away from home as conflict approached. He helped force through the gamble of the Norwegian campaign. The operation succeeded, but its losses badly depleted the force used to carry it out. Operation Sea Lion differed because the proposed invasion of Britain was never attempted. Raeder's selective control of information reaching Hitler then helped political rivals replace him with Karl Dönitz, whom they considered easier to manage. His experience exposes the gap between an ambitious long-term programme and the immediate operational and political demands of wartime.
Notable Point · 15:25-16:49
A navy planned for later war forced into the Norway gamble
The video contrasts Raeder's expectation of a later war with the risky Norwegian operation the Kriegsmarine carried out once conflict began.