Fresnoy-en-Gohelle | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 50°21′59″N2°53′27″E / 50.3664°N 2.8908°E Coordinates: 50°21′59″N2°53′27″E / 50.3664°N 2.8908°E | |
Country | France |
Region | Hauts-de-France |
Department | Pas-de-Calais |
Arrondissement | Arras |
Canton | Brebières |
Intercommunality | CC Osartis Marquion |
Government | |
• Mayor (2020–2026) | Michel Volanti [1] |
Area 1 | 2.98 km2 (1.15 sq mi) |
Population | 228 |
• Density | 77/km2 (200/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
INSEE/Postal code | 62358 /62580 |
Elevation | 42–70 m (138–230 ft) (avg. 60 m or 200 ft) |
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. |
Fresnoy-en-Gohelle is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. [3]
A small farming village situated 9 miles (14 km) northeast of Arras, at the junction of the D919 and the D33 roads.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
1968 | 127 | — |
1975 | 120 | −0.81% |
1982 | 140 | +2.23% |
1990 | 206 | +4.95% |
1999 | 199 | −0.38% |
2007 | 249 | +2.84% |
2012 | 246 | −0.24% |
2017 | 214 | −2.75% |
Source: INSEE [4] |
Fresnoy was virtually destroyed in 1917 during the First World War.
After their successes in the spring campaigns (including the taking of Vimy Ridge), the Canadians and British pushed eastwards across open country until they reached German defence lines that, in this sector, ran north to south from Arleux, on to Oppy and then down to Gavrelle.
Following a successful push by the Canadians through Arelux in late April, German positions in and around Fresnoy became the scene of fierce fighting on April 28, 1917. Ernst Jünger, who wrote Storm of Steel , recalled the barrage on the village:
‘Fresnoy was one towering fountain of earth after another. Each second seemed to outdo the last. As if by some magical power, one house subsided into the earth; walls broke, gables fell, and bare sets of beams and joints were sent flying through the air, cutting down the roofs of other houses. Clouds of splinters danced over whitish wraiths of steam. Eyes and ears were utterly compelled by this devastation.’
A few weeks later, on May 5, the Canadians managed to capture the village. It was lost, however, when ferocious German counterattacks were launched on May 7 and pushed the Canadians and British back. The frontline then stabilised just outside the village.
In commemoration of this battle, Fresnoy Mountain in the Canadian Rockies was given its name in 1919.
Pas-de-Calais is a department in northern France named after the French designation of the Strait of Dover, which it borders. It has the most communes of all the departments of France, 890, and is the 8th most populous. The Calais Passage connects to the Port of Calais on the English Channel. Pas-de-Calais borders the departments of Nord and Somme and is connected to the English county of Kent via the Channel Tunnel.
Lens is a city in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. It is one of the main towns of Hauts-de-France along with Lille, Valenciennes, Amiens, Roubaix, Tourcoing, Arras and Douai. The inhabitants are called Lensois.
Vimy is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. Located 3.8 kilometers (2.4 mi) east of Vimy is the Canadian National Vimy Memorial dedicated to the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Canadian soldiers who were killed during the war. The Memorial is also the site of two Canadian cemeteries.
Carvin is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Givenchy-en-Gohelle is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. It is located 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) north of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial dedicated to the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the missing First World War Canadian soldiers with no known grave; the Memorial is also the site of two Canadian cemeteries. The village was destroyed during World War I but was rebuilt after the war.
Ablain-Saint-Nazaire is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France.
Bullecourt is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region in France.
Neuville-Saint-Vaast is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. It is located 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) south of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial dedicated to the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The Memorial was built on Hill 145, the highest point of the ridge to commemorate the battle and the Canadian soldiers who lost their lives during the First World War. The Memorial is also the site of the Canadian Cemetery No. 2, Neuville-St.-Vaast and Givenchy Road Canadian Cemetery, Neuville-St.-Vaast.
Noreuil is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Vaulx-Vraucourt is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Chérisy is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Écoust-Saint-Mein is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais département in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Ervillers is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Farbus is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. It is located 7 kilometres from the Canadian National Vimy Memorial dedicated to the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the missing First World War Canadian soldiers with no known grave; the Memorial is also the site of two Canadian cemeteries.
Feuchy is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. It is a small village, with a little more than 1000 inhabitants, and had only about 500 inhabitants in 1914. It is situated two kilometers east of Arras. During World War I, in 1914, it was occupied by German troops. British troops took over the Arras sector in March 1916. On April 9, 1917, the British operation "big push" led to advancement of several miles to the east in a battle with one with the most casualties per day, and Feuchy was liberated. The German offensives placed Feuchy under their control in 1918 until the Canadians cleared the area in August 1918. The population of Feuchy was evacuated and the village was completely destroyed.
Foncquevillers is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Guémappe is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Izel-lès-Hameau is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Monchy-le-Preux is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Oppy is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fresnoy-en-Gohelle . |