During the entire period of the war, the OKW was led by Keitel, who reported directly to Hitler, from whom most operational orders actually originated as Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht (Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces).
Under hele krigen var OKW under ledelse af Keitel, som rapporterede direkte til Hitler, hvorfra de fleste operative ordrer kom fra, som Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht (Øverstkommanderende for de væbnede styrker).