Statue baron Jacques de Dixmude

Since 1930, General Baron Jacques de Dixmude has stood on the Grote Markt in Diksmuide , gazing at the former front.

On top of a hard stone pedestal, a bronze statue depicts General Jacques with army coat, helmet and saber and binoculars in hand.

Each corner has a figure: -a soldier in uniform with saber and flag ; - a soldier in uniform with the rifle at rest; -a negro slave with a bare upper body , with a clenched fist and the handcuffs still clamped around the wrist and a branch with fruit under the other arm; - a soldier with the rifle at rest, dressed in a tropical costume Between these four figures there are four commemorative plaques against the plinth.

Jacques was initially active as a district commander in the independent Congo state , including in the fight against the slave trade . This is also evident from the image of a negro slave and the mention of M'Pala 1892 on the base of the statue. During the First World War he was commander of the 12th Line regiment (colonel) and as deputy commander (general) of the Meiser Brigade defended the city of Diksmuide in the Battle of the Yser (October 1914).

Willem Vandenameele