The 15th Army was activated in occupied France on 15 January 1941 with General Curt Haase in command.

It was tasked with occupation and defensive duties in the Pas de Calais area.

Afterwards, the 15th Army was withdrawn to the Netherlands, where it fought the Allies during Operation Market Garden in September 1944.

It was involved in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest before finally surrendering along the Ruhr river in 1945.

Today, the former HQ of the 15th Army, in Tourcoing, which is just north of Lille in France, is a museum: Musée du 5 juin 1944 [fr].