Erich Dönitz



Grand Commandant Erich Dönitz is a new character introduced in When the Cold Breeze Blows Away.

As the Commander-in-Chief of the Coalition Space Force who was the grandson of Karl Dönitz and a friend of Grand Admiral Eilert Salazar, Erich was a self-confident and ambitious man, often using his family name to further himself in Coalition society and politics. He was considered the ideal naval politician, and as far as he was concerned, he always won his arguments.

As a result of his numerous deceptions, some considered him rough and piratical, others saw him as a psychopath, and a few thought he was a buffoon. For strategic reasons, Dönitz did not want anyone to have an accurate picture of his personality, but his various personas were also necessary to keep the hyperintelligent admiral from becoming bored.

Though he very highly valued his political and tactical skills, Erich was considered somewhat of an overrated leader by many, who felt that his only real skill lay in loyalty to the Supreme Leader, and that he had padded his record. In fact, Dönitz had surprisingly decent actual command experience, and embellished his reports, making himself appear more capable than he was in reality. It was thanks mainly to his many connections that he rose through the ranks as rapidly as he did, although he believed strongly in his own abilities.

Although Erich himself was personally religious, he was also dismissive of the Force and doubted its very existence. He publicly regarded Darth Trethium as a mere sorcerer with a "sad devotion" to an "ancient religion", later justifying his attitude as a response to alleged "workplace proselytization". This nearly resulted in his death when Trethium Force-choked him for his insolence.

Aside from his staunch disbelief in the Force, Dönitz also was a staunch disbeliever in any aspects of the supernatural to the extent that he was fully prepared to mock anyone who suggested the possibility of supernatural influences in the multiverse.

Erich was also noted as being argumentative, bullish, and lacking common sense—additional traits which often caused further problems. He never knew when to be quiet, and he always insisted on having a say in major decisions. He was a disciplinarian, and every detail had to be perfect.

At the age of 48, he has brown eyes, red hair, and wears a customized black-colored fliegerbluse.