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Archiver > GREATWAR > 2005-03 > 1110964479


From: "Ken Lees" <>
Subject: RE: [WW1] Somme Casualties
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2005 09:19:03 -0000
In-Reply-To: <016201c52a04$7469be50$8e6d86d9@PETERB>


Peter,

The figures vary according to the source, but the 400,000 figure you refer
to is 'casualties' and that includes the wounded and missing and possibly
prisoners of war, whilst the lower quoted figures refer to the dead only.

Regards,

Ken

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter F BATCHELOR [mailto:]
Sent: 16 March 2005 08:45
To:
Subject: [WW1] Somme Casualties


I am undertaking some research into the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and am
struggling to come to terms with the number of men lost by the British and
Commonwealth forces. It would appear to be generally accepted that the
total figure is in excess of 400,000 [When the Barrage Lifts] but when I
explore totals from obtained from SDITGW and CWGC I find their figures for 1
July to 30 November 1916 considerably less than this figure.

SDITGW - approx 120,000 [+ 63rd RND, Royal Marines, RFC, Canada & Australia]
CWGC - approx 150,000 Buried/Commemorated in France and the UK for the same
period.

I would emphasise that I am looking at men who died and not just
'casualties'.
Obviously I am missing something but what?

Any ideas?

Peter Batchelor


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