Leo Dietrich Franz Reichsfreiherr[1] Geyr von Schweppenburg (2 March 1886 – 27 January 1974) was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II, noted for his pioneering stance and expertise in the field of armoured warfare.

[4] His father was the retired colonel Karl Geyr von Schweppenburg (1840–1913), a close friend and chief stable master of William II of Württemberg.

[11] In the spring of 1943 Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt ordered Geyr to prepare a force of 10 Panzer and motorised infantry divisions.

In the event of an Allied landing on the northern French coast, Panzer Group West was expected to counterattack northward and halt the invasion force.

On 10 June 1944, Royal Air Force aircraft attacked his newly established headquarters at La Caine in Normandy.

[13] Geyr’s reinforced tank units managed to prevent the British advance for another month, but he was nevertheless relieved of his command on 2 July, after seconding Rundstedt’s request that Hitler authorize a strategic withdrawal from Caen.

[14][15][16] He was succeeded by Heinrich Eberbach on 4 July and served as Inspector General of Armoured Troops until the closing phase of the war.