Bellenglise

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
Year	Pop.	±%
1962	276	—
1968	426	+54.3%
1975	517	+21.4%
1982	479	−7.4%
1990	441	−7.9%
1999	410	−7.0%
2008	386	−5.9%
2012	383	−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

• Communes of the Aisne department

References

• INSEE

External links

• Bellenglise on the site of the French National Geographical Institute
• Bellenglise on the Insee site.
• 2006 census of the communes of the Aisne département
• Belenglise church tower on the Clochers (church belfries) site