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Bellenglise

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Bellenglise
Location of Bellenglise
Map
CountryFrance
RegionHauts-de-France
DepartmentAisne
ArrondissementSaint-Quentin
CantonLe Catelet
IntercommunalityPays du Vermandois
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Vincent Duquenne
Area
1
6.4 km2 (2.5 sq mi)
Population
 (2012)
383
 • Density60/km2 (150/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
02063 /02420
Elevation77–129 m (253–423 ft)
(avg. 88 m or 289 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Bellenglise is a commune in the department of Aisne in Hauts-de-France in northern France.

Geography

The village lies close to the N44, in a loop of the St. Quentin Canal, nine kilometres north of St. Quentin.

Brigadier General J V Campbell addressing troops of the 137th Brigade from the Riqueval Bridge over the St. Quentin Canal, 2 October 1918

History

About two kilometres to the north is the Riqueval souterrain.

On the 28 August 1914 the French 10th Regiment of Territorial Infantry opposed a German invading force. The French unit was essentially from the local Département, with its depot in St Quentin. Despite a fierce defence, the French line gave and a battalion (1000 men) of the unit was taken prisoner.

The famous picture of the British 137th Brigade, gathered on the canal bank at Riqueval Bridge, for a pep talk after the crossing of the St. Quentin Canal, was taken nearby.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1962276—    
1968426+54.3%
1975517+21.4%
1982479−7.4%
1990441−7.9%
1999410−7.0%
2008386−5.9%
2012383−0.8%
Plaque at the entrance to the cemetery. It reads 'French memory. Military Square. Graves of soldiers who died for France.'

Sites and monuments

  • The commune cemetery, with its military square just to the left of the entrance, where are buried soldiers who died for France.

See also

References