Bellenglise

Bellenglise
Bellenglise

Coordinates: 49°55′21″N 3°14′39″E / 49.9225°N 3.2442°E / 49.9225; 3.2442Coordinates: 49°55′21″N 3°14′39″E / 49.9225°N 3.2442°E / 49.9225; 3.2442
Country France
Region Hauts-de-France
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 (2012)2 383
 • Density 60/km2 (150/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
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 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

See also

References

    External links

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