Rolf Carls

Rolf Carls
Rolf Carls
Birth name	Rolf Hans Wilhelm Karl Carls
Born	29 May 1885; Rostock, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, German Empire
Died	24 April 1945 (aged 59); Bad Oldesloe, Schleswig-Holstein, Nazi Germany
Allegiance	German Empire (to 1919); Ottoman Empire (1914 to 1917); Weimar Republic (to 1933); Nazi Germany
Branch	Imperial German Navy; Ottoman Navy; Reichsmarine; Kriegsmarine
Years of service	1903–43
Rank	Generaladmiral
Unit	SMS Stein; SMS Mars; SMS Fürst Bismarck; SMS Breslau
Commands held	SM U-124; Hessen
Battles/wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Rolf Hans Wilhelm Karl Carls (29 May 1885 – 24 April 1945) was a high-ranking German admiral during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany.

Carls served as Flottenchef (Fleet Commander), the highest ranking administrative officer of the Kriegsmarine and member of the Oberkommando der Marine (High Command of the Navy). Carls was instrumental in planning German naval operations during Operation Weserübung, the invasion of Denmark and Norway. When Grand Admiral Erich Raeder resigned as commander-in-chief of the Kriegsmarine in early 1943, he suggested Carls as a potential candidate to succeed him. After Admiral Karl Donitz succeeded Raeder instead, Carls was discharged from the navy. Carls was killed in a British air raid on the town of Bad Oldesloe on 24 April 1945.