Charles de Gaulle ( 17 -- 18 May 1940 ) , then a colonel , launched a counterattack in the region of Laon ( see the map ) with 80 tanks to destroy the communication of the German armoured troops .
Charles de Gaulle ( 17 -- 18 May 1940 ) , as a Colonel in this period , launched a in the region of Laon ( see the map ) . He had 80 tanks to destroy the communication of the German armoured troops .