Stock Photo - World War II - FRANCE. Tanks, B1 bis, B1 bis tank #401 of the 37th BCC named Bearn II – Beaumont rue Madame, Belgium 1940. The B1 bis was a French medium tank of the Second World War that saw extensive service in 1940. It was developed from the Renault B1 tank, and was a significant improvement of its predecessor. Its 75 mm gun was powerful enough to take on the majority of German armour of the period, and it was deployed in the Battle of France, taking part in some of the heaviest fighting with German forces. It was also used to good effect in a number of engagements in North Africa and during the Battle of Normandy in 1944.