Page "Battle of Dunkirk" Paragraph 3

In one of the most widely-debated decisions of the war, the Germans halted their advance on Dunkirk.

Contrary to popular belief, what became known as " the Halt Order " did not originate with Adolf Hitler.

Gerd von Rundstedt and Günther von Kluge suggested that the German forces around the Dunkirk pocket should cease their advance on the port and consolidate, to avoid an Allied break.

Hitler sanctioned the order on 24 May with the support of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht ( OKW ).

The army were to halt for three days, giving the Allies time to organise an evacuation and build a defensive line.

Despite the Allies ' gloomy estimates of the situation, with Britain discussing a conditional surrender to Germany, in the end over 330, 000 Allied troops were rescued.