Erich Raeder was a German admiral who played a significant role in the naval operations of Nazi Germany during World War II. Born on April 24, 1876, he joined the Imperial German Navy and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine in 1928. Raeder was instrumental in planning naval strategies and expanding the German fleet. Raeder's leadership was marked by his support for aggressive naval tactics, including the use of U-boats. However, as the war progressed and Germany faced increasing challenges, he was eventually replaced in 1943. After the war, Raeder was tried at the Nuremberg Trials and sentenced to life imprisonment.