Erich Johann Albert Raeder (24 April 1876 ? 6 November 1960) German naval leader in Germany before and during World War II. Raeder attained the highest possible naval rank?that of Gro?admiral (Grand Admiral) ? in 1939, becoming the first person to hold that rank since Alfred von Tirpitz. Raeder led the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) for the first half of the war, but resigned in 1943 and was replaced by Karl D?南itz. He was sentenced to life in prison at the Nuremberg Trials, but was later released.