Battle of Montcornet
| Battle of Montcornet | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Battle of France of the Second World War | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| France | Germany | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Charles de Gaulle |
Heinz Guderian Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| 4e Division cuirassée | 1st Panzer Division | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Over 200 tanks | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 103 tanks/AFVs disabled, destroyed or abandoned | 40–50 tanks | ||||||
The Battle of Montcornet, on 17 May 1940 took place during the Battle of France. The French 4e Division cuirassée (Colonel Charles de Gaulle), 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.