Sergent Marcel Bizien, 23, commanded the 2nd DB "Douamont" Sherman that rammed the Panther on Place de la Concorde, Aug 25th 1944. He was killed by a sniper when he leaned out of his tank's turret (or jumped on the wrecked Panther according to diff. accounts) to direct the manoeuvre required to disengage his tank. He'd joined to Free French in London after escaping to the UK via Spain and Portugal in 1941.

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Sgt Bizien KIA Place de la Concorde 1944

During the excitement of the tank duel on Place de la Concorde in Aug 44, one of the 2nd DB tanks, received the radio mesage "watch out for the 5th column" (meaning infiltrators). The gunner, a country boy, didn't understand the expression and shot out the 5th column of the Crillon Hotel instead! Thinking there might be enemy positionned at that point. Since replaced, the 5th column's always had a slightly darker tint (different stone) -though the whole building is being/restored/re-scrubbed again as I type.

Watch out for the Fifth Column!

George VI (1895-1952), King of Great Britain (1936-1952) reviews a formation of French soldiers during an inspection on the Western Front.