GERMAN LOSSES AT VERDUN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1558, 1 June 1916, Page 4

GERMAN LOSSES AT VERDUN.

On (lie subject of German casualties in the Verdun battle, a wellinformed correspondent writes : German headquarters are attempting to hide from the people their enormous losses at Verdun by maintaining that German losses are less than French. German reinforcements melt away as fast as they are put into the tiring line . The 18th Army Corps has lost a total of 17,000 men, and (he 3rd Army Corps 22,000 men. Three regiments of infantry of the 11th Bavarian Division led the attack on the Malan-eourt-Avocourt Wood on March 20th and 22nd. They lost from 00 to 60 per cent., as also did four regiments of the 2nd Division of Landwehr. In the 40 days from February 21st to April Ist, Germans put into the field at the battle of Verdun from Avocourt to Eparges 239 infantry battalions, representing at least 1075 companies of infantry, besides 23 pioneer battalions of three companies each, making a total of 1145 companies. These companies were in reinforced strength. Some counted as many as 280 men before the attacks. A fair average is 260 men per company. This means a total infantry force engaged of 298,000 men. Since February 21st, 80 battalions have been taken to the rear to be re-formed, others got their reinforcements brought up to them on the line. In all, nearly 450,000 in'fantry men—at a low estimate —appeared on the fighting line. Prisoners’ statements and French observations point to the conclusion that German losses were a third of the troops engaged up to April Ist. That means 150,000 men fallen in the first lines, and to this must be added losses incurred through artillery fire. Long-range guns have been reaching the revictualling and service convoys far behind. It is moderate to lay the German losses before Verdun up to April Ist at 200,000 .men.