"After the breakthrough at Sedan, German troops began to consolidate their bridgehead against a possible French counterattack. On May 15th, early in the morning, the Infanterie Regiment Großdeutschland and the 10th Panzer Division were tasked to take the heights at the small village of Stonne, in order to protect the southern flank of the main German thrust westwards. However, they did not expect to encounter the French 3rd Armored Division and 3rd Mechanized Infantry Division that arrived late the previous evening, too late to counterattack.
In the following days, the small village switched sides 17 times, earning the nickname "Verdun of 1940."