Una nuova aggiunta eccezionale alle nostre già meravigliose collezioni: The French B1 Bis Tank (informazioni nei commenti)!

Chers compatriotes!

Since last week, we have a new and unique piece of WWII history on display in Bastogne Barracks: the French B1 Bis, one of the rarest tanks of its kind.

The B1 Bis is a long-term loan from the Musée des Blindés in Saumur (France), and joins our already impressive collection of over 100 armoured vehicles from the Second World War.

**A bit of history!**

In the early days of WWII, the B1 Bis played a key role in France’s attempts to halt the German Blitzkrieg during the 1940 Battle of France. Deployed in four armored divisions, these tanks also saw combat in Belgium — several were destroyed on Belgian soil. While technically advanced for the time, the B1 Bis ultimately proved no match for the fast-moving German strategy.

The tank on display was restored at Saumur and named “Rhône”, after a vehicle from the 37th Tank Battalion. This original tank fought near Charleroi in May 1940, reached Lambusart, and was eventually destroyed by its crew in Beaumont to avoid capture — exactly 85 years ago on May 16, 1940. The explosion caused significant damage to the town centre.

Besides a single example at the Bovington Tank Museum (UK), this is the only B1 Bis outside of France on public display.