The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-08
BRITISH LOSSES 100000.
ESTIMATE GIVEN OUT BY THE
BRITISH MILITARY MISSION
IN WASHINGTON.
Situation Serious il British Have I,
Bear Brunt of the Next Blow.

'''eoA"S OH tne western f~Ont since
the German offensive began March 21,
are estimated by the British military
mission here at nearly 100000.
This estimate would appear to be in
remarkable contrast to the enormous
German losses in the drive. The Ger
man war office, Of course. has not
disclosed what it's losses in the great
battle have been. but the estimates
OF Allied observers have placed them
at a staggering figure. From the
very nature of the fighting. military
experts have pointed out, the losses
Of the attackers were bound to be
heavier than those of the defenders.
But in addition to that, the method of
German attack, advancing troops in
waves faster than machine guns could
NOW them down. must, military ex-
perts say, have entailed enormous
losses. n lIEnRlWW
AN inkling of how serious the
German losse were came sometime ago
when 1t was reported that the Ger
man military chiefs dared not disclose
their extent to the German people,
and therefore. were sending the
wounded to Belgium. Other reports
have told of railway gateways being
choked with trains of wounded, while
the dispatches of correspondents at
the front have told how the battle
fields were carpeted with grey-clad
bodies.
The situation is summed up in this
manner:
1.-The casualties in the British army
are emphasized by the German wire
less. ** ** Although figures from
German sources would be undoubted-
~ much exaggerated. vet it is certain
from the severity Of the fighting and
from the fact that the entire combat
Sant forces OF the British army have
been almost continuously engaged
that the British losses in proportion
to rcinforcements Immediately avail.
able must be very heavy. 1t is prob.
able that one would be approximate
ly accurate in quoting these as close
on quarter Of q million.
Everything points to the German
tOfAnSiVa haino ov,~
mediately and should the brunt Of
the attack again have to be borne by
the British the situation would be un.
doubtedly serious, unless sufficient
troops are available close at hand in
reserve to strengthen the line as rc.
quired. Should the German:
determine again to attack in Elan.
ders 1t is certain that any advance IN
the direction Of the channel ports viii
be made at great cost to themselves
and over the bodies Of the British
army"
AS examples of what the British
have gone through, two division.
which lost a large percentage of their
electives were cited. The Twenty.
fifth. new division, in the fightins
put in the fighting between March
20 and March 26 lost 1000 men
lost 5000 more. Despite the losses il
was brigaded with the French for a
counter-attack and still later it beat
off four heavy German attacks.
The Tweny First division fought
continuously from March Fl to Marcf,
% and lost four thousand infantry
men. of total strength Of 5000. La.
ter it drove back German attack in
which five German divisions were en-
gagged and increased it's losses to
5000.
statistics such as these" it was
declared, bring home to the militia rv
mind the terrible ordeal through
which the British army is now pass.
ing. History coolly reviewing facts
will record what is perhaps often now
lost sight Of in the crowded interests
of every day life and obscured by
hearsay and extravagant writings.
Britain at this very moment is maxi
ing the supreme sacrifice of endur-
ance for right against might and now
strengthened by the shoulder 10
: shoulder with the famous French
fighting divisions is prepared to hold
the German masses in check until the
right moment arrives for the great
revenge"