Hitler did start to replace/subvert his highest ranking military staff, and it's a big reason why he lost the war. Early on he did not micromanage the various t

Hitler did start to replace/subvert his highest ranking military staff, and it's a big reason why he lost the war. Early on he did not micromanage the various theaters, which is partly why the Wermacht did so well early on. As the war went on, several of Hitler's best commanders were removed for railing against his out of touch orders. Perhaps the best example of a promotion which detracted from the war effort was putting Hermann Goring in charge of the Luftwaffe. You are right though that at the lower levels, the Wermacht could think flexibly.