According to Roll, during the advance in France Strachwitz adopted the thinking that "Tanks must be led from the front!" Even in his role as supply officer he led "from the front", often carrying out "solo runs". During one of these, Strachwitz and his driver stumbled into a French-occupied barracks. Unable to withdraw, he requested to speak to the French commanding officer and convinced him to surrender his unit. Leading the way, Strachwitz drove 600 French soldiers and their vehicles into captivity. The element of surprise was enough to overcome a numerically superior enemy force.