Captain Besnier, in January 1945, initiated a prospecting and repair campaign of wrecks of German tanks lying on the Norman battlefields. The result is substantial, in the form of 17 tanks, mainly Panzer IV, as well as two Panther and a Tiger. The first tank was ready on January 23. The Besnier squadron has itself ensured the instruction of his tank drivers. These panzers made some shots against opposing positions on the Saint-Nazaire front from March 1945. They opened the March of the French columns during the occupation of the pocket in May 1945. Part of the 6th regiment of Cuirassiers, they later joined the ranks of the new 3rd armored division. In December 1945, although deemed "tired", fourteen of these devices still appeared within the endowment of this division.