As the head of the German army, Hitler could not be content with one main base in a central location when he had to make the important decisions that the conduct of the war required.
As a trick, the Germans had headquarters built at important locations, so-called leadership headquarters (Führerhauptquartiere, abbreviated FHQ) for each important campaign of the German army.
Command bases were located close to the front line and also close to highways, railways or airports, so that Hitler could get there in the shortest possible time. It also had to be easy to disguise the bases, and in light of that, they were often placed in the woods.
Hitler met with both generals and ministers during his stay at his headquarters.
The bases are well respected
Before the leader could use the new bases, they were surrounded by barbed wire and mines. Countless communications cables were laid across the communication room.
Task forces consisting of many thousands of people prepared bomb-proof underground bunkers, meeting rooms, staff accommodation, as well as barracks for the troops that protected the leader while he stayed near the front line.
A total of 14 such main bases were built during the war and seven more were under construction but not yet completed.
The leader never made it to all the main bases that were being used by the German army instead.
