Oberbefehlshaber West (German: initials OB West), German for "Commander-in-Chief in the West") was the overall commander of the Westheer, the German armed forces on the Western Front during World War II. It was directly subordinate to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (the German armed forces High Command). The area under the command of the OB West varied as the war progressed. At its farthest extent it reached the French Atlantic coast. By the end of World War II in Europe it was reduced to commanding troops in Bavaria.
Commanders
edit| No. | Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Time in office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt (1875–1953) | 10 October 1940 | 1 April 1941 | 173 days | |
| 2 | Generalfeldmarschall Erwin von Witzleben (1881–1944) | 1 May 1941 | 15 March 1942 | 348 days | |
| (1) | Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt (1875–1953) [a] | 15 March 1942 | 2 July 1944 | 2 years, 109 days | |
| 3 | Generalfeldmarschall Günther von Kluge (1882–1944) [b] | 2 July 1944 | 17 August 1944 | 46 days | |
| – | Generalfeldmarschall Walter Model (1891–1945) Acting [c] | 17 August 1944 | 3 September 1944 | 17 days | |
| (1) | Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt (1875–1953) [d] | 3 September 1944 | 11 March 1945 | 189 days | |
| 4 | Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring (1885–1960) | 11 March 1945 | 22 April 1945 | 42 days |
Order of battle from June 1944 to January 1945
editNotes
edit- ^ Officially reported as retiring due to age and ill-health.
- ^ Committed suicide on 19 August 1944 after being recalled to Berlin.
- ^ Temporary replacement, continued as commander of Army Group B.
- ^ Replaced after Allies crossed the Rhine.
References
edit- Oberbefehlshaber West, German Army, 06.06.1944This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2021)