Field Marshall Karl Gerd von Rundstedt

Field Marshall Von Rundstedt was the Commander in Chief West. His primary responsibility was to defend the coast of western Europe. To do this he organised the construction of the Atlantic Wall, a 1,700 mile line of fortifications along the Atlantic coastline. Although these defences were originally provided with second-rate forces, as concerns of invasion in the west increased, elite troops were later put under Von Rundstedt's command.

Rundstedt was as shocked as any German commander by the Allied invasion. Although not being surprised by the location he had expected the allies to land on.