The regiment participated to the campaigns of Free France, then the liberation of Europe at the corps of the 2nd Armoured Division 2e DB of général Philippe François Marie Leclerc de Hauteclocque.

Initially composed of the first Groupment of Schneider tanks and of the 1st and 2nd battalions of light tanks, (the 1er and 2e BCL), created respectively on 19 February and 18 March 1918 and equipped with Renault FT. the 3rd battalion, formed on 27 March, was initially assigned to the 508e Régiment de chars de combat 508e RCC then transferred to the 501e RCC since 29 May 1918.

The 303rd Company of the 501st supported French and Greek forces around Odesa and Kherson, where they fought Nikifor Hryhorev's partisans.

After having joined the United Kingdom with the 2nd Armoured Division 2e DB, in April 1944, the 501e embarked on August 3 to the Bancs de Grande Vey, on the north-east coast of Carentan.

The regiment partook in the liberation of Paris, the tank battle of Dompaire, then Strasbourg and finished the events of campaign series engagements on 5 May 1945.

Dans le vent, la pluie et l'orage Chevaux de fer monstres d'aciers canons pointés Meilleur des chars toujours avec courage Marche au combat sous les rafales avec fierté

Prends garde aussi devant sa lunette Un jour tu passe il restera trois secondes Pour qu'a jamais ta propre vie s'arrête Le béret noir t'envoie dans l'autre monde

L'éternité te sera moins pénible Tu te diras ce n'est pas le hasard C'est sans retour si l'on devient la cible Du 501 toujours premier des chars