ENEMY CASUALTIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1943, Page 4

ENEMY CASUALTIES

IN THE NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN NUMBERS OF PRISONERS HELD. BALANCE GREATLY IN FAVOUR OF ALLIES. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 13. It is estimated that the German and Italian losses in the battles since 1940 in North Africa totalled 600,000 in killed. permanently disabled and prisoners of war. The German casualties totalled 250,000, against the Italians’ 350,000. In all theatres the Allies have taken 150,000 German prisoners, whereas the British taken prisoners by the Germans are approximately 80,000, giving a credit balance of nearly two to one. Italian prisoners in Allied hands, exclusive of coloured troops, number 310.000 against 70,000 British prisoners held 'by the Italians. An analysis shows the German total casualties up to date in the battle for the Tunisian bridgehead to be 100.000 and in the battle of the whole bridgehead 125,000, to which must be added a further 25,000 drowned at sea, permanently sick, etc. The Italian total casualties to the battle of the bridgehead are/ 275,000 and in the battle _ of the bridgehead about 50,000, to which must be added for drownings, permanent sickness, etc., a further 25,000.