What responsibilities did the Wehrmacht High Command have in western Europe and North Africa?

Following the 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union, the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW; Armed Forces High Command) assumed the role of theater command for German-occupied western Europe and North Africa. While the Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH) focused on the Eastern Front, the OKW was responsible for directing military operations in the western theater.12

However, the OKW’s authority was significantly constrained by a fragmented and inefficient command structure. Although the Commander in Chief West (OBW) was tasked with defending western Europe, they lacked direct control over naval and air units, which reported to their own respective high commands. Furthermore, key commanders—such as those leading Panzer Group West and Army Group B—often maintained direct reporting lines to Adolf Hitler, bypassing the established chain of command. This administrative jumble, coupled with Hitler’s personal interference, severely hampered the Wehrmacht's ability to coordinate an effective defense against Allied operations.12