On May 15, 1940, the German invasion of France was in its 5th day. This story takes place at the town of Stonne, in northeastern France, south of Sedan, and involves a clash between units of the Grossdeutschland Regiment and B1 bis tanks from the French 3rd Armored Division. Lieutenant Beck Broichisitter of the 14th Anti-Tank Battery, who was there that day, directly experienced the fierce French counterattack.
With enemy gunfire erupting from all sides, conditions in the German lines turned to chaos. Grenadiers from various companies had been left scattered and leaderless, with disabled and destroyed vehicles littering the area along the village street. Still the attack did not let up, and soon 6 B1 bis tanks, accompanied by numerous infantry, bore down on the German lines. Hurrying the 37mm anti-tank guns into position, commanders issued orders to fire, but the powerfully armored French tanks were very difficult to stop...
