Billotte's Charge

On 16 May 1940, during the three-day struggle for Stonne, the B1-bis "Eure" was commanded by Captain Pierre Billotte. He was also in command of the 1er Compagnie, 41e BCC. Although underpowered for its weight and somewhat prone to breakdown, …

1940-05-16

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On 16 May 1940, during the three-day struggle for Stonne, the B1-bis "Eure" was commanded by Captain Pierre Billotte. He was also in command of the 1er Compagnie, 41e BCC. Although underpowered for its weight and somewhat prone to breakdown, the B1-bis, nonetheless, had formidable armor for 1940, It was able to resist the majority German anti-tank fire. as the Germans discovered on that day. That morning, Captain Billotte and his unit raced towards Stonne in an effort to recapture the ruined village. A German panzer company was stationed there and soon a fierce battle ensued. The Germans shot desperately at the French tanks, only to see their rounds bounced off the B1-bis tanks. Captain Billotte pushed forward until reaching Stonne. When the smoke cleared, Billotte and his unit claimed 13 German tank kills before retreating due to lack of support.

Stonne, France

The Battle of Sedan or Second Battle of Sedan took place in the Second World War during the Battle of France in 1940. It was part of the German Wehrmacht's operational plan codenamed Fall Gelb for an offensive through the hilly and forested Ardennes, to encircle the Allied armies in Belgium and north-eastern France. German Army Group A crossed the Meuse river with the intention of capturing Sedan and pushing northwards towards the Channel coast, to trap the Allied forces that were advancing east into Belgium, as part of the Allied Dyle Plan.

Wikipedia: Battle of Sedan (1940)

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