Institution

Oberkommando der Wehrmacht

1938–1945 · 20th century · Also known as OKW, High Command of the Armed Forces

The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), or High Command of the Armed Forces, was created by Hitler in February 1938 when he abolished the war ministry and took personal command of the German armed forces. Headed by Wilhelm Keitel, with Alfred Jodl as chief of operations, it served as Hitler's military staff and from 1942 directed every theatre except the Eastern Front.

Oberkommando der Wehrmacht
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Cite this entry
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Oberkommando der Wehrmacht. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/oberkommando-der-wehrmacht
MLA
“Oberkommando der Wehrmacht.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/oberkommando-der-wehrmacht. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Oberkommando der Wehrmacht.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/oberkommando-der-wehrmacht.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Oberkommando der Wehrmacht’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/oberkommando-der-wehrmacht (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻