It is a “fortified” city captured by the Germans in World War I and which was liberated by NZ soldiers on 4 November 1918 ending 4 years of occupation.
At the time there was a garrison of 1000 German soldiers in the city and they were ordered to withstand any attack. The Germans were given three opportunities to surrender and after the third refusal the Kiwis moved on the city gaining entry by climbing a ladder at the place where a monument to them now stands. Man after man climbed the ladder and after a street fight the Germans surrendered, the residents grateful that the town suffered no significant damage in the liberation.
As a consequence Le Quesnoy remains grateful to NZ and there are numerous reflections of that in the town.
An example of the fortification
The monument to the NZers where they scaled the wall
Just outside the town is s very well maintained cemetery containing among others 50 graves of our men...
..one of whom bore the surname of Sherry’s family and whether he is related will be determined once we get home.
With some pride we “signed” the visitors book before returning back to Vandeuil 
Kms driven today; 405
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