Char B1 bis (n° 416) “Hautvillers”: Knocked Out at Stonne

Source: Reddit

     Looking at a map of France, today the village of Stonne is a tiny speck consisting of 2.77 square miles of land area and 39 residents. Yet, between May 15 and May 17, 1940, Stonne was the epicenter of a brutal see-saw battle between an ad-hoc force of French Army troops and the German Army, led by the 10th. Panzer Division along with other elements, to include the crack Infanterie-Regiment "Großdeutschland".

     While Stonne itself had absolutely no military value, the land it was situated on most certainly did. Immediately to the north of Stonne sits Mont-Dieu (God's Mountain) which is heavily wooded with only the D 30 road running through it and into Stonne. The village itself sits atop a 330 meter (1,082 foot) elevation with a very steep drop-off into the thick woods north of the village. To the east of Stonne, near the D 30 road's turn into the village, is Le Pain de Sucre (Sugarloaf) which is a conical shaped hill some 335 meters (1,099 feet) high.“Zuckerhut“ (also meaning Sugarloaf), as the point was called in German, offered an excellent observation point. The French realized that the area around Stonne was a natural obstacle to check the German advance further south and so they quickly fortified the area with pillboxes and set up barriers to slow down German troops.

     During the Battle of Stonne, the village exchanged hands seventeen times. The initial day saw elements of the 3e Division d'Infanterie Motorisée already positioned in Stonne but by 0800 hours, Stonne was in German hands, led by 1. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment "Großdeutschland". In the course of the day's combat, Char B1 bis tanks belonging to 3e Compagnie, 49e Bataillon de Chars, would see action against the Germans and the knocked out tank shown here was one of them. The tank, n° 416 and named “Hautvillers“, was commanded by Sous-lieutenant Jacques Klein and driven by Caporal-chef Emile Chanel. The names of the radio operator and assistant driver (who was usually a mechanic) that completed the crew are not known. The tank was received by the unit on March 25, 1940. 

     At approximately 1000 hours,“Hautvillers“ had been advancing north towards Stonne over the ground between the D 30 and D 24 roads. A Panzerkampfwagen IV, belonging to Panzer-Regiment 8, spotted the French tank and took it under fire. The Pz.IV's gunner, one Karl Koch, was able to hit “Hautvillers“ three to four times. The results of the successful engagement saw “Hautvillers“ turret jammed, the 47mm gun fitted to it bent, the right side track severed, and a non-penetrating hit on the armor near Caporal-chef Chanel's station. The spalling of the armor on the interior by the strike caused superficial injuries to Chanel and triggered a fire in the tank's electrical system. With such crippling hits, the crew abandoned the tank though all four men would later be captured by German troops. Given the photograph, it is clear the fire consumed the tank, probably causing an ammunition detonation which blew apart much of the upper hull, causing the turret to fall inward. This particular photograph was likely taken well after the battle as much of the debris following the tank's demise is no longer seen laying on the ground. Based on the many photographs taken of the tank by German soldiers, the location of the wreck may be at the intersection of Route de la Berlière (D 24) and Rue du Paquis which is located just outside Stonne proper.

     While German forces ultimately won the Battle of Stonne, the area would not be completely pacified until May 25, 1940.

Char B1 (n° 309) “Rhône”: Scuttled in Beaumont

Source: Author's Collection

     What is left of No.309 “Rhône” in the streets of Beaumont, France. Built by Renault, this Char B1 bis was issued to the 37th. BCC (Bataillon de Chars de Combat; Combat Tank Battalion), 1st. Company on September 27, 1939. On May 16, 1940, remnants of the 37th. BCC retreated into Beaumont and were without fuel for their tanks and with no petrol forthcoming, it was decided to scuttle the unit’s tanks and to make for the French lines on foot. 

     “Rhône” was set ablaze and the subsequent explosion blew the turret off the tank. Unfortunately, the blaze from the tank spread to nearby homes, setting them aflame. It was not until the following day did the fires burn out. 

     “Rhône” had been commanded by Sub-Lieutenant André Marsais with the remainder of the crew being Master Corporal Emile Tourmetz (driver), Sergeant Jacques Tapol (radio operator), Private Defremy (gunner), and Private Feuillatre (mechanic).

Char B1 (n° 463) “Davout”: Victim of the Luftwaffe

     The 28e BCC (Bataillon de Chars de Combat) was created from assets of the former 512e RCC (Régiment de Chars de Combat) on August 26, 1939 at Chalons-sur-Marne. The new unit’s motto was “Toujours Devant” which meant “Always in Front”. The Char B1 heavy tank “Davout” (n° 463) was assigned to 2e Compagnie (2nd. Company) and was commanded by Lieutenant Jean Lafforgue whose crew consisted of driver Caporal (Corporal) Lebris, gunner Caporal Meissonier, and radio operator Caporal Magaud. 

     On June 6, 1940, the 28e BCC along with the 25e BCC, were deploying towards the French town of Roye in order to shore up and clear the left flank of the 29e DI (Division d'Infanterie; other sources say it was the 24e DI) of any German combat forces. At approximately 10:30am, the unit came under fire from both anti-tank guns as well as artillery. “Davout” had its external radio apparatus destroyed and suffered damage to the left side running gear which was severe enough that Lebris could only drive the tank in 4th gear and even then, only in a snaking pattern. In the end, his efforts to drive the tank forwards ceased when the German Luftwaffe appeared in the skies. 

     A near miss from a bomb was enough to literally lift “Davout” off the ground and it came down into a deep ditch. None of the crew was injured (but certainly shook up) and quickly bailed out of the tank. A nearby Char B1, “Dassas”, was flagged down and the “Davout’s” crew hooked up tow chains to “Dassas” but as the attempt to pull “Davout” from the ditch commenced, the engine caught fire. The tow chains were hastily released and the fire spread, detonating some of the ammunition which buckled the left side hull. The fire burned itself out but now “Davout” was completely out of action and was abandoned, the crew being carried out of the battlefield by another Char B1 named “Kellerman” (n° 514).
 

Char B1 (n° 490) “Rivoli”: Abandoned Outside Milly-sur-Thérain

     On May 28, 1940, a two Char B1 tank element from 1ère Compagnie, 47e BCC (Bataillon de Chars de Combat) was a part of the combat known as the Battle of Abbeville which commenced on May 27, 1940 to June 4, 1940. The two tanks which made up the element were “Rivoli” (n° 490) and “Crouy” (n° 404). “Rivoli” was received by the 1st. Company on May 10, 1940 and not long after, was rolling into combat. The tank was commanded by Lieutenant Gazelle with the remainder of the crew being Sergent Miard (driver), Chassseur Guillot (gunner), and Chassseur Riedinger (radio operator). Without any infantry support, the two tanks along with other 47e BCC tanks proceeded towards the village of Huppy along the Doudelainville-Poultières-Huppy Road. No enemy was seen until machine-gun fire and strikes from 37mm anti-tank guns began to rattle off “Rivoli’s” armor. Lt. Gazelle steered his tank towards the direction of the enemy fire and began to fire the co-axial 7.5mm Châtellerault M1931 machine-gun but in short order, it jammed. Another B1, “Jeanne d’Arc”(“Joan of Arc”; n° 425), crushed a German PaK 36 37mm anti-tank gun position by running it over. Gazelle ordered the hull-mounted 75mm ABS SA 35 howitzer into action and he himself manned the turret mounted 47mm SA 34 gun. In short order, the Germans were routed, fleeing in the face of what appeared to be unstoppable tanks. At the time, Gazelle did not know it but his tanks had engaged two battalions from Infanterie-Regiment 217 (IR 217) who had nothing heavier than the ineffective PaK 36 with which to attempt to stop the B1 tanks and thus crumbled and fled when the only anti-armor weapons they had were seemingly useless. 

     As “Rivoli” continued on towards Huppy, Gazelle lost sight of “Crouy” as the tanks continued to be involved in mopping up pockets of resistance by the remains of IR 217. Around this time, Miard informed Gazelle that the oil for the complex Neader transmission was almost at zero which meant a leak. Gazelle ordered the tank to a halt and shut the engine down. Quickly, the crew attempted to locate the leak in an attempt to repair it for without the Neader transmission, the tank would become difficult to steer and also the aiming mechanism for the 75mm howitzer was tied into the transmission. Unfortunately, the leak could not be found and so not wanting to be a sitting target, Gazelle decided to risk making for Huppy. “Rivoli” arrived at a rally point north-east of Doudelainville and here, the leak was found as well as another leak near the engine’s carburetor. The issue with the co-axial machine-gun was also fixed, the stoppage having been caused by a round which swelled in the breech, preventing extraction. Repairs were effected and the tank went back into action but on June 5, 1940, “Rivoli” was abandoned due to further engine problems somewhere between Milly-sur-Thérain and the Vauroux. 

     As for “Crouy”, its remains were discovered near Croisettes, having been hit twice by 105mm shells, likely from a German 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer using direct fire. The commander, Lt. Bauche, was killed when the first round struck the tank’s turret. The driver, Sergent Rouille, was killed when the second shell crushed the driver’s side hull. The remainder of the crew, Chassseur Baumont and Chassseur Nacre, were severely injured. The other mentioned tank, “Jeanne d’Arc”, in just two hours of combat, was hit some 90 times and once its main guns were put out of action from the hail of anti-tank rounds, the tank simply ran through enemy positions. In all, “Jeanne d’Arc” destroyed 12 anti-tank guns and two German armored cars before the Char B1 was struck near Croisettes by a large caliber anti-tank round (at the time, believed to have been from a German 8.8cm gun) which set the engine on fire. The crew was able to abandon the vehicle with only minor wounds. 

Char B1 bis (n° 361) “Silvaner”: Knocked Out Near Pommery Farm

     From June 9-10, 1940, French forces were in action against German advances along the Asine and Retourne Rivers. In the effort to relieve beleaguered French troops in the town of Perthes, a two-pronged counter-attack to throw back the Germans was conducted. From the south, Lieutenant-Colonel Salanié led a mixed group of forces consisting of light tanks from the 45e BCC, elements of the 31e Régiment de Dragons Portés, and 1st. Company of the 41e BCC. The latter formation consisted of ten heavy Char B1bis tanks of which “Silvaner” was one. 

     The tank, built by AMX, was incorporated into the 1st. Company, 41e BCC on June 6, 1940, having started with the 3rd. Company, 49e BCC. At this time, the tank was commanded by Lieutenant Jean-Marc Dives and crewed by driver Sergeant Jean Rochet, radio operator Bocacci, and gunner Bois. On June 10, north of Juniville, the French force ran into elements of the 1st. Panzer Division and 2nd. Panzer Regiment. 1st. Company (commanded by Capitaine Billotte) rolled into action but was soon encircled by 2nd. Panzer Regiment forces near Pommery Farm. Surrounded and taking fire from German tanks, anti-tank guns, and even field guns using direct fire, the French tanks had little choice but to fight their way out and in so doing, lost four tanks in the skirmish of which “Silvaner” was one. 

     One shot went right into the driver’s cupola while another (not visible in this view) completely caved in the side armor around the driver’s compartment. Perhaps not surprisingly from such hits, Sergeant Rochet did not survive. The remainder of the crew was able to abandon the tank. All in all, the French launched the counter-attacks without the support of artillery or air support. The latter, due to the Luftwaffe having complete air superiority, allowed the Germans to bring French forces under fire and allow effective aerial reconnaissance which granted the Germans the ability to blunt and push back the French attacks.

Char B1 (n° 238) “Hardi I”: Knocked Out Near Origny-Sainte-Benoite

     The Char B1 heavy tank, No.238, was built by Renault and delivered to the 508th. RCC (Régiment de Chars de Combat) in December 1938 where the unit was based in Lunéville, France. By September 1939, the tank was transferred to the 8th. BCC (Bataillon de Chars de Combat) where it was issued to the 3rd. Company. Named “Hardi I”, the tank was commanded by Sous-Lieutenant Gérard Bernard (a rank equivalent to a 2nd. Lieutenant on the U.S. Army), Caporal-Chef Longefay was assigned as the driver (his rank is Master Corporal), Caporal Martin served as the assistant driver/loader, and Sergent Robert Le Fleuve was the radio operator.

     On May 17, 1940, “Hardi I” was situated in the town of Origny-Sainte-Benoite which was located some 9 miles to the east of the city of Saint Quentin. Bernard had positioned his tank to overlook a bridge that crossed over the Sambre–Oise Canal as it was assumed that elements from German Heeresgruppe A (Army Group A) would attempt to seize the bridge in order to continue their advance without being delayed by having to construct their own crossings. Unfortunately, French forces were unable to hold the Germans at Sedan which opened the way into the Meuse region and resistance began to crumble in the area. Origny-Sainte-Benoite, being along the German advance as anticipated by the French, saw a very brief skirmish between elements of the 8th. BCC and German forces. “Hardi I” was taken under fire by German panzers and one of them was able to score a hit on the French tank. According to the available documentation, it would appear that the German infantry were close on the heels of the German tanks and before “Hardi I” started to burn with earnest, the crew bailed out. Unfortunately, Sous-Lieutenant Bernard was hit in the kidney area by German small arms fire and collapsed near the tank. The remainder of the crew was able to reach the retreating remains of the 8th. BCC forces in the town and were evacuated. Bernard, luckily, had survived the hit and was moved away from the tank by German infantrymen and given medical aid in the field before he was sent to the rear for further treatment. In time, he was sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.

     “Hardi I” was a tank that was photographed many times by the Germans. How long it remained where it was hit is not known but the photographic record show that over time, the left track was completely removed, the turret position changed, and the hull howitzer position was also changed. The latter two most likely occurred from curious German troops clambering inside and using the turret's manual traverse and messing around with the howitzer from within the tank. What eventually happened to “Hardi I” isn't known but it was likely scrapped at some point during the war or afterwards.

Char B1 (n° 326) “Dordogne”: Knocked Out Near Montfaucon

     The Char B1 heavy tank, No.326, and named “Dordogne” was originally assigned to the replacement battalion of the 41st. BCC ((Bataillon de Chars de Combat) on January 6, 1940. However, by May 10, 1940, the tank was transferred to the 2nd. Compagnie, 28th. BCC. The tank was commanded by Lieutenant Marcel Cousin, the driver was Adjutant-Chef (Chief Warrant Officer) Colombo, the radio operator was Sergeant Magne, and the gunner was Corporal Savrey. The 28th. BCC was part of the 1st. DCR (Divisions Cuirassées de Reserve) and on May 15, the unit was deployed to the north of Flavion, Belgium.

     On the morning of May 16, the German Panzer Regiment 25 ran into the 3rd. Compagnie of the 28th. BCC at approximately 8:30am. Soon, all three companies of the 28th. BCC were engaged with the German regiment. The German tankmen were unprepared to see their rounds bouncing off the thick armor of the B1 tanks, let alone the number of French heavy tanks encountered. As it turned out, Panzer Regiment 25 was not informed by Luftwaffe intelligence assets of the true strength of the French in the area. The German commanders decided that combat had to commence at close range in order to have a chance at eliminating the French tanks. Using the terrain to as much advantage as possible to mask their movements, Panzer Regiment 25 sought to flank the 28th. BCC and around 9:30am, the 2nd. Compagnie shifted from their position in order to stop the German advance. Unfortunately, the sporadic supply situation saw many of the company's tanks run out of fuel. The B1 tanks were struck dozens of times by German fire which put many of the tanks out of action. Those B1 tanks with fuel began to retreat but soon, the crews knew they wouldn't get far. So, instead, they used the last of their fuel to turn the tanks to bring the 75mm hull mounted gun to bear on the enemy. Once fuel was expended, the commanders used the turret mounted 47mm gun to continue the fight, often until the electric batteries died leaving only hand cranks to turn the turret. The combat was joined by Panzer Regiment 31 around 12:00pm and they too received a bloody nose by the tanks of the 28th. BCC. The German tanks began to run out of ammunition and their supply trains were still too far behind to offer any swift replenishment. By 2:00pm, the 28th. BCC still held their positions despite the punishment the unit received. At 6pm, the order was given to withdraw and what tanks of the 28th. BCC were still mobile and had enough fuel, commenced to retreat to either Beaumont or Chastre. Those tanks which could not retreat remained where they were, giving battle until they had nothing left. Abandoned tanks were blown up and their crews continued to fight on foot for a time before retreating from the field. All told, only three of the 28th. BCC tanks made it out of the battle.

     “Dordogne”, assuming the dates are correct, survived the battle but this would not last and on May 18, 1940, the tank was knocked out in combat with elements of the 2nd. Panzer Division near Montfaucon. The crew survived the hit and was taken prisoner by the Germans. Lt. Cousin suffered severe injuries and had his left arm amputated as a result of those wounds.

Char B1 (n° 226) “Toulouse”: Abandoned in Origny-Sainte-Benoite

     Built by Renault, Char B1 No.226 was delivered to the 510th. RCC (Régiment de Chars de Combat) early in 1938 where the unit was stationed in Nancy, France. In September 1939, the tank was transferred to the 15th. BCC (Bataillon de Chars de Combat) but by April 18, 1940, the tank was assigned to 1st. Compagnie, 8th. BCC. The tank, named “Toulouse”, was commanded by Lieutenant Jean Renevey and had a driver by the name of Sergent Lavaux. Who the remaining three crew members were remains unknown.

     The 8th. BCC was within the area of operations of the French 9th. Army commanded by Général d'Armée André Corap. It was Corap's troops that faced Heeresgruppe A (Army Group A) which was under the command of Generaloberst Gerd von Rundstedt. Included in this force was the 7th. Panzer Division led by Generalmajor Erwin Rommel. It was the task of Heeresgruppe A to break through the Ardennes into France and while Belgian and French forces were able to cause minor delays, they did not have the anti-tank capacity nor the available manpower to stem the flow of German forces. It was the poor roads in the region which was the main cause of German delays and the Armée de l'Air Française (French Air Force) failed to take advantage of bombing the long German traffic lines that were more or less at a standstill. As an example, Panzergruppe Kleist (the original name of 1. Panzerarmee) had over 40,000 vehicles jammed into four passable routes through the Ardennes. By May 12, 1940, elements of Heeresgruppe A reached the Meuse Line which was a series of French forts and emplacements some 31 miles long. The next day, Panzergruppe Kleist launched attacks to establish three bridgeheads through the Meuse Line in what became the Battle of Sedan. The Germans focused their airpower against a narrow portion of the Line and the Luftwaffe flew 3,940 bomber and dive-bomber sorties against the French in a non-stop, eight hour bombing. Although there was some French resistance, it crumbled underneath the relentless aerial bombardment and by midnight, the Germans were five miles behind the Meuse Line. The combat in and around Sedan was intense but by May 15, 1940, the Germans had succeeded in pushing through, cutting off Corap's 9th. Army along its southern flank and in short order, the isolated French forces collapsed and surrendered.

     The photograph depicts “Toulouse“ along Rue Pasteur in Origny-Sainte-Benoite. What exactly happened to it is not known but most likely, the tank either had mechanical problems or ran out of petrol on May 16, 1940. Interestingly, “Toulouse“ was photographed many times by German troops and one such photograph shows the tank with no damage at all with a German soldier standing beside it holding a shell for the hull mounted 75mm ABS SA 35 howitzer. Later photographs show the tank in the condition seen here and from this, it can be surmised that the tank was struck by a German tank gun whose crew was unaware the tank had already been abandoned. That the shot was was through the rear of “Toulouse“ lends some credence to this as the Char B1 was difficult to knock out from the front and when able, German tank crews tried to get side or rear shots into the B1. The damage does show the Char B1's 6-cylinder, 16.5 litre inline Renault engine and six gear transmission (5 forward gears and 1 reverse gear). The hit set the tank on fire and secondary explosions caused further damage to the tank, including lifting the turret up and off its turret ring. At some point, the wreckage around the tank had been cleaned up and the tank's tracks coiled up next to the hull. It can be presumed that “Toulouse“ was eventually scrapped.

     As a note, the town of Origny-Sainte-Benoite has a war memorial commemorating French troops who had come from the town that fought and died during the First World War as well as World War Two. It is located off E44 on a plaza bordered by Place Jean Mermoz.

Char B1 (n° 227) “Bordeaux”: Mine Victim near Mareuil-Caubert

     Char B1 “Bordeaux” (n ° 227), following its construction, was delivered to the 510e RCC (Régiment de Chars de Combat) stationed near Nancy, France in 1938. By September 1939, “Bordeaux” was transferred to the 15e BCC, 1ère Compagnie (Bataillon de Chars de Combat; 1st. Company, Combat Tank Battalion). Once again, this time on May 18, 1940, the tank was with the 348e Compagnie Autonome de Chars de Combat (CACC; Autonomous Company of Combat Tanks) under the command of Second Lieutenant Fournier. His crew consisted of driver Sergeant Chief Rivoal, gunner/assistant driver Corporal Jacquet, and radioman Corporal Marchand. 

     On June 4, 1940, “Bordeaux” was one of many French tanks assembled to push towards Mont de Caubert, a spur of land near Mareuil-Caubert, in the closing actions of the Battle for Abbeville. With almost no intelligence on German forces in the area, French and British forces jumped off at 3am, not wishing to wait for French armor which had not made the assembly area by the time the attack was to commence. In time, French tanks arrived and advanced but ran into a minefield off the Blangy–Abbeville Road. It was also a kill zone for German anti-tank guns and artillery. 

     “Bordeaux” was one of the tanks that had struck a mine, blowing off its left track. Given the circumstances, repair was impossible and Fournier ordered the abandonment of the tank. In all, 30 Char B1 tanks and some 120 other tanks (of various makes) took part in the combat. When it was over, only 6 of the Char B1 survived and some 60 other tanks made it through the battle which was a victory for German forces, the Allies being unable to dislodge the enemy from Mareuil-Caubert and the surrounding area.

Char B1 (n° 269) “Tonnerre”: Standing Their Ground in Hannapes

 

     The remains of Char B1 (n° 269) "Tonnerre" lay abandoned along Rue d'Etreux in Hannapes, France. The tank, built by FCM, was delivered to the 508e RCC (Régiment de Chars de Combat) early in 1939. Later, in September 1939, the tank was transferred to the 2e Compagnie, 8e BCC (Bataillon de Chars de Combat). By mid-May 1940, the 14e RCC had been deployed to the Aisne region of France with orders to defend bridges which crossed the Oise River. One of these bridges was along Rue d' Etreux in the Aisne commune Hannapes. It was defended by the 13e RI (Régiment d’Infanterie) and elements of an artillery unit. "Tonnerre" was detached from the 8e BCC and provided to the 14e RCC to bolster the defender's strength in defense of the bridge. On May 18, 1940, elements from the German XIX Army Corps pushed on Hannapes and the situation quickly became untenable due to overwhelming German forces and the French units had no option but to retreat. The crew of "Tonnerre", however, refused to withdraw and stood their ground. "Tonnerre" was quickly surrounded by the Germans and brought under anti-tank gun fire at close range which knocked the tank out for good. However, before succumbing, the crew inflicted significant damage to the Germans who had the misfortune to have run up against the tank. Amazingly, despite the heavy damage to the tank, the crew was able to escape without serious injury and they sought to make their way back to the French lines. This would not happen as the French were unable to hold back the might of the XIX Army Corps and with much of the area quickly occupied by German forces, the crew were ultimately captured on May 23, 1940 in the vicinity of Tupigny.

     The soldier posing with the wreckage of "Tonnerre" holds the position of Hauptwachtmeister which is equivalent to the U.S. Army position of First Sergeant. This can be determined by the two rings of silver tress around his feldbluse's sleeves which had the nickname of "kolbenringe", or "piston rings". Another sign of this position would be the meldetasche (reporting pouch) that would be tucked into the front of the feldbluse. The pouch contained forms, duty rosters, and other documents needed for the position but in this photograph, he is not carrying it in the usual position. The Hauptwachtmeister was better known to troops as the "Spieß" ("Spear") or less commonly as the "Mutter der Kompanie" (Company Mother). This soldier belonged to a cavalry unit as denoted by the spurs on his boots and given the lack of equipment outside of the pistol holster and what could be a map case, this photograph was likely taken sometime after the action. It should be noted that the duty of the Hauptwachtmeister was solely at the squadron level for cavalry and was a position more of administration than combat and so such appointed men were not usually deployed into combat with the squadron.

Char B1 (n° 257) “Bourrasque”: The French Tank Terror

German soldiers pose beside "Bourrasque" after the crew surrendered to elements of Panzer-Abteilung I near Mortiers. (Author's Collection)

     The brief story of the Saint-Chamond constructed Char B1 “Bourrasque” (n° 257) practically steps out of a Hollywood war film. Originally, the tank was delivered to the 508e RCC (Régiment de Chars de Combat) early in 1939 but by September 1939, the tank had been transferred to the 15e BCC (Bataillon de Chars de Combat) and assigned to 1ère Compagnie. In charge of “Bourrasque” was Lieutenant Sauret and his crew consisted of Sergent Seguin (driver), Caporal Gentner (gunner), and Chasseur Mogrédien (radio operator). 

     On May 16, 1940, the day before what would become the Battle of Montcornet, four tanks plus “Bourrasque” were gathered together at a rally point. Each of them had some battle damage, some worse than others but the common problem all the tanks had was a lack of fuel. It was decided that two of the tanks (“Martinique” [n° 207] and “L’Aquitaine” [n° 213]) would have their fuel and ammunition removed and distributed to the other tanks and then the two tanks would be scuttled. “Bourrasque” would tow the remaining two tanks (“Toulon” [n° 235] and “Tempête” [n° 267]) towards the jump-off point in order to preserve as much fuel as possible. On March 17, the attack on Montcornet commenced at 4:14am and as the tanks moved towards the Germans, at around 6am, a German truck laden with infantry blundered into the path of the tanks. The alert French commanders quickly brought the 47mm turret guns into action and destroyed the truck and the surviving German soldiers scattered and fled in the face of the tanks’ machine-gun fire. The tanks continued on but soon “Bourrasque” was nearly empty of fuel and the convoy stopped. It was decided that the fuel tanks of “Toulon” and “Tempête” would be drained and transferred to “Bourrasque” and the tank would travel towards Pargny where it was believed resupply could be had. 

     “Bourrasque” reached Pargny but the hoped for fuel was nowhere to be found and so Lt. Sauret kept driving south in search of any French refueling point. On the way, the tank ran into motorcycle elements (likely Kradschützen-Battalion 1) of Kampfgruppe Nedwig which had been advancing on Mortiers. Lt. Sauret ordered the tank to drive right into and through the motorcycle column, firing every gun the tank had into the panicked German troops who were thrown into complete disarray. Word of a lone French tank reached the 1st. Panzer Division and the unit dispatched a full battalion of anti-tank gun and armor assets from Panzer-Abteilung I to deal with “Bourrasque”. 

     The Germans caught up with “Bourrasque” outside of Mortiers and took it under fire. Repeated hits by PaK 36 37mm guns and even the short barrel 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 guns of Panzer III medium tanks failed to stop “Bourrasque” but both ammunition and fuel finally ran out for the French tank and at 11:15am on May 17, 1940, Lt. Sauret and his crew surrendered to the troops of Panzer-Abteilung I.