GERMAN CASUALTIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 160, 6 June 1940, Page 7

GERMAN CASUALTIES.

MUCH HEAVIER THAN STATED. WELL-DISCIPLINED FRENCH. (British Official Wireless.)' Received June 6, 10-15 a.m. *. RUGBY, Juue 5. Military circles in London, while appreciating the efficiency with which the Germans-got supplies up to their advanced armies, point out that the utter ruthlessness of the Nazi conduct materially assisted this task. Crowds of refugees offered no obstacle. Everything, on the road was shot at or run over. , . , , The German casualties announced by the German High Command are regarded as a considerable understatement. Authoritative circles express the opinion that the correct figure is. in the region of half a million. The infantry divisions must have suffered very heavily, as- did the parachutists and air-borne troops. It is estimated that about 80 German divisions took • part in the attack', including ten armoured and five motorised. These latter were heavily engaged, and it is calculated that they lost between a third and a- half of their strengths. It is :. thought, however, that the enemy has a large number of reserve tanks. It is estimated that the Germans threw about 2,500,000 men into the battle and the comment is made that if the casualties are really as low as stated by ‘the enemy, there was really no need to have warned the German people that . heavy lists were to _ be expected. The requisition of various buildings at short notice for use as hospitals and the care -being taken to keep the wounded away from their own home areas are regarded as significant that the casualties are actually greater than the Nazi authorities expected. DISCIPLINE OF FRENCH. The highest praise of the discipline of tile French troops who held Dunkirk to the end is given by British naval observers who were among ■ the last to. leave. They stated that it was almost impossible to make the French troops break their, military formations. If there was room on a. ship for only half a company the whole unit preferred to stay, behind, and had to* be persuaded to leave. The general bearing of these troops was as if they were on parade. A Daventry report says it is estimated that the Gennan troops in Franco and Belgium number 2,500.000 while the enemy casualties exceed 400.000 men.