1943
Operation Overlord
Prepares a report saying the German Army is not prepared to face an Allied attack
D-Day and Normandy · permanent subject timeline
Gerd von Rundstedt in Normandy
German Commander-in-Chief West during the invasion period. This page combines historical context with 6 matching records drawn directly from the World History Database Normandy archive.
Historical context
Gerd von Rundstedt in Normandy: overview and significance
What happened?
Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt held the senior German command in the west when the Allies invaded Normandy. He oversaw a command structure constrained by Hitler's personal control of key reserves.
Why was it important?
Rundstedt's position placed him at the centre of German strategic responses to D-Day. Disputes over reserves, command authority and the feasibility of containing the Allied lodgement shaped the German defence.
World History Database records
Gerd von Rundstedt in Normandy timeline
The records below are selected from the 455-record D-Day and Normandy archive and rendered as static HTML in chronological order.
1943
1944
1944 1st June
Operation Overlord
Cables OKW saying the Allies cannot attack without 4 days good weather
1944 6th June
Operation Overlord
Keeps most of his forces at Calais
1944 6th June
Operation Overlord
Diverts the 12th SS & Panzer Lehr to meet the invasion. Believes, like Hitler, the landings are a feint for Allied landings at Pas de Calais
1944 1st July
Dismissal
Dismissed after asking the OKW for a free hand in Normandy, a challenge to Hitler
1944 2nd July
Dismissal
Dismissed by Hitler for suggesting the High Command make peace
Editorial provenance
Sources and editorial review
Compiled and edited by World History Database.
Historical context is editorial material; the chronology is generated from World History Database D-Day and Normandy records.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
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