Bellenglise

Bellenglise
Bellenglise

Coordinates: 49°55′21″N 3°14′39″E / 49.9225°N 3.2442°ECoordinates: 49°55′21″N 3°14′39″E / 49.9225°N 3.2442°E
Country France
Region Picardy
Department Aisne
Arrondissement Saint-Quentin
Canton Le Catelet
Intercommunality Pays du Vermandois
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Vincent Duquenne
Area1 6.4 km2 (2.5 sq mi)
Population (2008)2 386
 • Density 60/km2 (160/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 02063 / 02420
Elevation 77–129 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.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Bellenglise is a commune in the department of Aisne in Picardy 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%
Plaque at the entrance to the cemetery. It reads 'French memory. Military Square. Graves of soldiers who died for France.'

Sites and monuments

See also

References

    External links

    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bellenglise.