De Gaulle to the Rescue

Forced to cope with the Panzer advance without any reserve troops, General Gamelin decided to create a new army, the 6th, which was tasked with protecting Paris. The new army had to hold the Panzers and give Gamelin time to …

1940-05-17

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Forced to cope with the Panzer advance without any reserve troops, General Gamelin decided to create a new army, the 6th, which was tasked with protecting Paris. The new army had to hold the Panzers and give Gamelin time to reorganize the defenses between Laon and Paris. An armored unit was needed for the task but there was only one available; the 4th Reserve Armored Division of Colonel De Gaulle, which was under strength; De Gaulle had no artillery pieces and was missing some of his infantry. Nevertheless, on May 17 he attacked with his tanks and an artillery group that he used as infantry. Colonel De Gaulle headed for Montcornet, a strategic crossroad in the path of the Panzers. Montcornet was taken in a day, with the French tanks crushing all enemy Resistance. Despite their success, the 4th Reserve Armored Division had to retreat toward Laon by evening because they could not consolidate their position without infantry support.

Montcornet, France

The Battle of Montcornet, on 17 May 1940 took place during the Battle of France. The French 4e Division cuirassée, attacked the German-held village of Montcornet with over 200 tanks. The French drove off the Germans but later had to retreat due to lack of support and the intervention of the Luftwaffe.

Wikipedia: Battle of Montcornet

German

French

Game Type: Standard

Board Type: Countryside

Website Access: Classified