Promoted to in September 1941, excellent instructor of men, René Babonneau assumed command of the 2nd Battalion, which at Bir Hakeim, on 27 May 1942, held back more than 70 tanks of the division Ariete, by destroying 35 out of them. His battalion received a citation at the orders of the armed forces. Remaining at the rear to uphold the unfolding, in the night of 10–11 June 1942, he was made prisoner and transferred to Italy, where he attempted to escape twice.