Alfred Saalwächter, German admiral (d. 1945)

Alfred Saalwächter (10 January 1883 – 6 December 1945) was a prominent and highly decorated German naval officer who played significant roles in both World War I and World War II, ultimately rising to the supreme rank of General Admiral during the latter conflict. His extensive career spanned the formative years of German naval power, from the Imperial Navy's expansion to the rise and ultimate fall of the Kriegsmarine.

Early Naval Career and World War I Service

Born in Neusalz an der Oder, Prussia (now Nowa Sól, Poland), Saalwächter embarked on his naval journey by joining the Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine) as a cadet in April 1901. His early career primarily involved service on various capital ships, where he gained comprehensive experience in surface fleet operations and traditional naval tactics. However, it was during the tumultuous period of World War I that his career path shifted towards the burgeoning and strategically crucial U-boat arm. From April 1917, Saalwächter took command of several U-boats, including SM U-25 and SM U-43. While he was not counted among the war's highest-scoring U-boat aces, his practical experience as a submarine commander provided him with invaluable first-hand insights into asymmetric naval warfare. This understanding would later profoundly influence his strategic thinking and command decisions in World War II. The U-boat campaigns of World War I, particularly Germany's implementation of unrestricted submarine warfare, aimed to cripple Allied shipping and played a critical role in the conflict's naval dimensions, at times bringing Britain dangerously close to collapse due to severe supply shortages.

Interwar Period and Ascent in the Kriegsmarine

Following the Armistice of 1918 and the subsequent dismantling of the Imperial Navy, Saalwächter remained in the drastically reduced German Navy (Reichsmarine) during the Weimar Republic era. During this period, he steadily climbed the ranks, contributing to the clandestine rebuilding efforts and the critical doctrinal development that preceded the official rearmament under the Nazi regime. By the mid-1930s, with the establishment of the Kriegsmarine, Saalwächter had emerged as a senior and influential officer, playing a key role in the training, operational planning, and strategic direction for the reborn German fleet.

General Admiral in World War II and Command Responsibilities

At the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Alfred Saalwächter held the prestigious rank of General Admiral, one of the highest possible ranks within the Kriegsmarine, equivalent to a four-star admiral in many modern navies. From August 1939 until November 1942, he served as the Commander-in-Chief of Marinegruppenkommando West (Naval Group Command West). This was a pivotal command responsible for all German naval operations in the strategically vital areas of the North Sea, the English Channel, and the vast expanses of the Atlantic Ocean. This made him a central figure in the planning and execution of Germany's naval strategy against the Western Allies during the crucial early years of the conflict.

• Strategic Direction of U-boats: Saalwächter was instrumental in directing U-boat operations during the critical early phases of the Battle of the Atlantic, overseeing campaigns that severely impacted Allied shipping lanes and their ability to sustain Great Britain.
• Surface Fleet Support: He also played a crucial role in coordinating the deployment and providing operational support for Germany's powerful surface raiders. This included formidable battleships like the Bismarck and Tirpitz, as well as heavy cruisers, as they attempted to break out into the Atlantic to disrupt vital convoy traffic. His command was essential for their logistical support, intelligence gathering, and ensuring their safe passage through controlled waters.
• Coastal Defense: Furthermore, his extensive responsibilities encompassed the comprehensive naval defense of the French Atlantic coast and the English Channel against potential Allied invasions or raiding operations.

For his outstanding leadership and significant strategic contributions to the war effort, Saalwächter was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 May 1941, a highly prestigious military decoration recognizing extreme battlefield bravery or exceptional military leadership.

Post-War Fate and Legacy

Following Germany's unconditional surrender in May 1945, Alfred Saalwächter was arrested by advancing Soviet forces. He was subsequently transported to Moscow, where he faced trial by a Soviet military tribunal on charges of war crimes. These charges primarily related to his command responsibilities in the conduct of unrestricted submarine warfare, particularly regarding the sinking of merchant ships without warning. On 17 September 1945, he was found guilty and sentenced to death. Alfred Saalwächter was executed by firing squad in Moscow on 6 December 1945, becoming one of several high-ranking German officers to be tried and executed by Soviet authorities in the immediate post-war period. Decades later, in 1994, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Military Collegium of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation posthumously rehabilitated Saalwächter, formally overturning his conviction based on a lack of criminal evidence, acknowledging that his actions were conducted in the course of military duty without specific criminal intent.

Frequently Asked Questions about Alfred Saalwächter

What was Alfred Saalwächter's primary role in World War II?

As General Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of Marinegruppenkommando West, his primary role was to direct German naval operations in the North Sea and Atlantic. This included overseeing crucial U-boat campaigns and coordinating the deployment of surface raiders, significantly impacting the Battle of the Atlantic.

Was Saalwächter considered a U-boat ace in World War I?

No, while he commanded U-boats in World War I and gained valuable experience, he was not one of the highly decorated "U-boat aces" renowned for sinking numerous Allied ships. His subsequent career focused more on high-level strategic command and naval administration rather than direct combat leadership.

What happened to Alfred Saalwächter after World War II?

He was arrested by Soviet forces, tried in Moscow for war crimes, found guilty, and subsequently executed by firing squad on 6 December 1945. His conviction was posthumously overturned by the Russian Federation in 1994, citing a lack of criminal evidence.