The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-05-04
BRITISH LOSSES
SINCE MARCH q
TOTAL 100000
INCLUDES KILLED, WOUND
ED, CAPTURED AND
MISSING.
ENEMY LOSSES COLOSSAL
Method of Mass Attacks Used by
Foe Results in Appalling Number
of Casualties - Many Divisions
Wholly Shattered.

Washington, May 4.-British loss
es in men killed, wounded, cap
tured and missing on the western
front since the German offensive be-
gan March q, are estimated by the
British military mission here at
nearly 250,000.
The situation was summed up in
this manner.
This estimate would appear to be
in remarkable contrast to the enor-
nous German losses in the drive.
The German war office, of course,
has not disclosed to the world what
its losses in the great battle have
been, but the estimates OF allied OBJ
servers have placed the loss Of Ger
man life at a staggering figure.
From the very nature OF the fight
ing, 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 troop waves faster than
machine guns could NOV them
down, must, military experts say,
have entailed enormous losses.
An inkling OF how serious the
German losses are came some time
ago, when it was reported that the
German military chiefs dared not
disclose their extent to the German
people ar.i were, therefore, sending
inc wounded to Belgium. Other
reports have told Of railway gate
ways being choked with wounded
while the dispatches of correspond
ents at the front have told how the
battle fields were carpeted with gray
clad bodies.
British Losses.
"Thc casualties in the British |
army are emphasized, the military |
missions statement said, "by the |
German wireless. Although figures |
from German sources would be un-
doubtedly much exaggerated, yet it |
is certain from the severity of the |
fighting and from the fact that the .
entire combatant forces of the Brit
ish army have been almost continu-
ously engaged, the British losses in
to reinforcements imme-
diately available must be very heavy. /.
1t is probable that one will be ap-
accurate in quoting
these as close on a quarter OF a
Everything points to the German
offensive being continued almost
Immediately. and should the bruut
OF the attack have TO be borne by
the British the situation will be un-
serious unless sufficient
troops are available close at hand i'm
r serve to strengthen the line as re-
luired and bring relief to the Brit
Ish divisions who have been in the
line almost constantly since the be-
ginning Of the present battle.
Should the Germans determine
again to attack in Flanders. it is
certain that any advance in the di-
-ection of the channel ports will be
made at great cost to themselves
md over the bodies OF the British
army, who have so often shown
.uch bulldog determination in the
lefense."
An Unbeaten British Division.
As examples of what the British
nave gone through. the statement
,ites two divisions who lost a large
percentage OF their effectiveness.
The Twenty-fifth. 4 new division in ]
he fighting. between March p and
%. lost 1900 men. Put into the
lighting again from April 10 to April
Q. it lost 5000 more. Despite these
osseS. ii was brigaded with the
french for a counter-attack and sill
ater it beat oil four heavy German '
ttacks. f,
The Twenty-6rst division fought /,
from March n TO 2S 4,
nd lost 1900 inian.-ymen OF a total p,
trength OF 1900. Later it drove /;
ack a German attack in which five !
ierman divisions were engaged and
increased its losses to O.UOO.
Statistics such as these said the 4
tatement. bring home To the mill
AIRY mind the terrible ordeal
Trough which the British army is
ow passing. History cody re-
iewing facts will record what is
erhaps often now lost sight OF in
he crowded interests OF everyday
fe and obscured by hearSav and
writings. Britain at
MS very moment Is making the su-
RENE sacrifice OF endurance Tor
ght against might, and now
-rengthened by and shoulder-to-
boulder with the famous French
ghting divisions, IS prepared to
old the German masses in check
ntil the right moment arrives for