Extract from a meeting between Hitler and Raeder, on navy morale, the terms of Raeder's retirement, and Goering's "underhand attacks" on the navy

C-in-C. Navy's private interview with the Fuehrer following the conference on 6.1.1943.
C-in-C. Navy declared that after the remarks just made by the Fuehrer about the morale of the navy, etc., and after the message that he had had passed to him by telephone on 1.1.43, he could no longer consider himself capable of holding the post of C-in-C. Navy, as he was responsible for the morale of the navy.
Fuehrer immediately tried to tone down very considerably
(Hitler) his assertions about the morale of the navy, saying he had not criticized, the morale of the navy as such, but he had merely contrasted the U-boat arm with the big ships.
R. further explained that the new task, which involved an enormous amount of work and mental and nervous strain, was beyond his powers. In any case, he had intended to request his release from the post of C-in-C. Navy on 30.1.43—after 10 years
158
D-655
service under the Fuehrer. He was now asking to be retired on this date, as he was no longer competent to meet the heavy demands, and the danger was ever present that he would one day be considered inadequate for his position.
H. pointed out the constant heavy burden of his own office and was of the opinion that such a release would cause yet another strain for him following the numerous rumours about the pensioning off of the generals.
R. said he agreed that this must be avoided at all costs and if the Fuehrer was anxious to demonstrate that the parting was of the friendliest and wished that the name Raeder should continue to be associated with the navy—particularly abroad, it would perhaps be possible to make an appointment to "Generalinspector", giving appropriate publicity in the Press, etc. But a new C-in-C. Navy with full responsibility for this office must be appointed. The position of "Generalinspector", or whatever it was decided to call it, must be purely nominal.
H. accepted this suggestion with alacrity; the "Generalinspector" could perhaps carry out special tasks for him, make tours of inspection, etc. The name Raeder was still to be associated with the navy. After C-in-C. Navy had repeated his request, the Fuehrer definitely agreed to 30.1. as his release date—he would like to think over the details.
R. referred at the same time to the constant underhand attacks made on the navy by the Reichsmarshall [Goering],
H. tried at first to deny this. However, R. drew attention to his written evidence and mentioned, as an illustration, the Reichsmarshall's assertions viz-a-viz Admiral Marshall about the number of navy personnel. These allegations were made despite the fact that the Reichsmarshall had to admit that the figures had already been corrected at H.Q. by ViceAdmiral Krancke. H. remembered the right figures, which amounted to about 600,000.
159