Tank Char B1-bis “GLORIEUX” from the 3rd company of the 8th battalion of battle tanks (8e BCC 3e compagnie, BCC – Batallion des Char de Combat), number 236. The tank was named after a French warship. Glorieux means glorious, famous.
On May 17, 1940, the Char B1-bis “GLORIEUX” tank was stationed in the town of Moÿ-de-l’Aisne in France to defend the bridge over the canal, where it was attacked by enemy aircraft and armored vehicles. From hits to the tank, his armor became hot, which led to the ignition of the fuel tanks and the detonation of ammunition. The crew trying to leave the tank came under automatic fire. Only the commander and the radio operator managed to escape. The other three crew members died on the spot.
Tellingly, the crew of the B1-bis tanks formally consisted of 4 people, but given the high operational complexity of the vehicle, three mechanics were attached to each tank, one of whom, if necessary, could be part of the crew. At the time of the sinking of the Char B1-bis “GLORIEUX” tank, the crew consisted of 5 people:
tank commander: junior lieutenant Monnier;
driver-mechanic: Senior Sergeant Jean-Baptiste Dumoneil;
radio operator: Chief Corporal Degrang;
assistant driver-mechanic: Lance Corporal Robert Pillja;
second assistant driver-mechanic: corporal Francois Chavanon.
Location: Moÿ-de-l’Aisne, France
Photo time: May 1940