"Erich Raeder first joined the German Navy in 1894 and rose through its ranks to become commander in chief in 1935. In Grand Admiral he describes his 49 years in the navy, including the battle strategy that won him international fame during World War I and the tactical disagreements with Hitler that led to his final break with the Fuhrer in early 1943. Though not a Nazi party member, Raeder was part of Hitler's war planning group, and Grand Admiral paints a vivid picture of what took place at Hitler's secret staff meetings before the invasions of Poland, Norway, and Russia. It also supplies previously undisclosed information about "Operation Sea Lion," the proposed invasion of England."--BOOK JACKET.