Canadian Prisoners Memorial, Momignies

In recognition of the population of mummies towards the Canadian nation

Momignies is located on the French border west of Chimay. The village was crossed by a railway line which has now become a slow lane reserved for walkers and cyclists. On August 31, 1942, a convoy en route to Germany stopped in this small village. It was made up of three locomotives and thirty cattle cars carrying 1,500 prisoners, most of the Canadians having been taken prisoner during the Battle of Dieppe on August 19, 1942. It was very hot and the men were crowded together in inhumane conditions. The convoy will remain at the dock for ten hours. We can imagine that the prisoners will take advantage of the stop to heckle and shout their thirst and hunger! The villagers, attracted by the noise, rush to the station and quickly understand that they must help the unfortunate Allied soldiers. They will then negotiate with the Germans for long hours to finally obtain authorization to relieve the prisoners' misery by supplying them with water and food.

Interesting historical reminder.