the Dunkirk halt order

[steverodgers801]

If Rundstedt had understood the British had the ability to evacuate so many troops would he have ordered a stop?

[Carl Schwamberger]

There would have to be knowledge there was no longer a substantial threat of counter attack. There was a sincere belief the Allies had a substantial counter attack capability. The assorted counter attacks just before the halt order were seen as possible preliminaries to larger attacks.

[sitalkes]

The Dunkirk order was the second order, Guderian had been ordered to stop at the Meuse but managed to get permission for a "reconnaissance in force" which he liberally interpreted - The high command was concerned about logistics, flanks, and enabling the infantry to catch up with the tanks.

[Carl Schwamberger]

Very nearly the fourth such order. On 14 May Hitler had one of his pessimistic moments and wanted to halt the several panzer corps in their lodgements just across the Meuse river. He spoke about the need to consolidate with the following infantry corps before moving on. Halder IIRC talked him out of it in a few minutes & no order was sent. Two days later on the 16th Hitler had another attack of the vapors & issued the temporary halt order Guderian dodged around with is reconnisance in force. On the 19th or 20th there was a a actual halt for most of the day, which was badly needed to catch up on a fraction of the mantinance. One witness described the exhausted drivers sleeping by the vehicles for many hours that afternoon.