 Generalfeldmarshall Günther von Kluge was the German supreme commander in the West . After Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel was injured by Allied aircraft on 17 July , Kluge also took over direct command of Army Group B , the formation conducting the battle in Normandy . He had warned Hitler on 22 July that the collapse of the front was imminent , but Hitler continued to order him to stand fast . 
