| Commander of the Wehrmacht | |
|---|---|
| Wehrmachtbefehlshaber | |
 Standard of the Wehrmachtbefehlshaber | |
 Wehrmacht | |
| Type | Supreme Commander |
| Status | Abolished |
| Abbreviation | W.Bfh. |
| Member of | Wehrmacht |
| Reports to | Oberkommando der Wehrmacht |
| Appointer | Reichführer |
| Term length | No fixed length |
| Formation | 1940 |
| Abolished | 7 May 1945 |
The Wehrmachtbefehlshaber[a] (lit. 'Military Commander'[b]) was the German chief military position in countries occupied by the Wehrmacht which were headed by a civilian administration.[2] The main responsibilities of this position were military security in the area and command of the defense in case of attack or invasion.[3][4] The Wehrmachtbefehlshaber also had a judicial function, as he served as judge in German military courts. He had no control over Army units, but was responsible for the housing of troops.[5] In the occupied territories of the Soviet Union, the Wehrmachtsbefehlshaber was also responsible for securing the occupied territories, protecting transport links, and recording the crops.[6]
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).
- ^ CIA 1951, p. 197.
- ^ Lower 2005, p. 96.
- ^ Altenburger n.d.
- ^ Hitler 1942.
- ^ NIOD 2017.
- ^ Bundesarchiv5.