The Press SATURDAY, MAY 19, 1945. Cost Of Victory To Britain

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24570, 19 May 1945, Page 6

The Press SATURDAY, MAY 19, 1945. Cost Of Victory To Britain

No flight of oratory or flow of written words could more eloquently speak of the magnitude of Britain’s effort and sacrifice to make victory in Europe possible than the facts' and figures themselves, simply stated. In casualties alone the cost has been appalling. For the British Commonwealth and Empire the total casualties (including those in the war against Japan) up to February 28, 1945, were 1,126,822, of whom 306,948 were killed. Of the latter, 216,287, or 70 per cent., come from the United Kingdom; and the figure represents 45 per cent, of the killed of the Western Allies, In addition, more than 30,000 British merchant seamen lost their lives. Moreover, German air raids and V bombs killed nearly 60,000 British civilians and injured nearly 85,000. No fewer than 93,000 sorties over Britain (apart from V-l and V-2 attacks) were flown by the Luftwaffe. By September, 1944, 4,500,000 of the 13,500,000 houses in Britain, or about 33 per cent., had been damaged or destroyed. Much damage has since been done by V bombs. The mobilisation of the population of Britain for military and civil defence is expressed in stupendous figures. About 6,500,000 men and women (almost one in sevep of the entire population) have served in the armed forces or in full-time civil defence, and a further 3.500.000 in part-time civil defence and Home Guafd. In the “ active ” age groups 22,0Q0,000 (or 69 per cent, of the were mobilised in the services or industry. In the field of production Britain’s achievement is equally remarkable. The magnitude of her output of munitions can be gauged from the simple fact that she supplied 70 per cent, of all munitions for British Commonwealth and Empire forces; and for two years, from June, 1942, to June, 1944, she supplied one third of the equipment of the United States forces in the European theatre. This included 94 per .cent, of their medical, 58 per cent/ of their engineering, and 63 per cent, of their quartermaster supplies. Another Ally to benefit from Britain’s production effort was Russia. Deliveries to Russia, made at great risk and when British troops were themselves short of arms, included 7000 fighter aeroplanes and more than 5000 tanks. By June, 1944, Russia had been supplied with munitions and Other necessaries to the value of £270,000,000. Britain’s shipyards up to the same date had turned out^ 1.900.000 tons of naval vessels, and British factories more than 25,000 tanks, nearly 1,000,000 other military vehicles, and 102,000 aeroplanes. The British mercantile marine has been one of the greatest sufferers in the war. In 1939 Britain had 17,500,000 gross tons of shipping. By the end of 1943 she had lost more than 11,500,000 tons. The supreme effort of her shipyards replaced 4,500,000 tons. Though other shipping was acquired by charter and purchase from the United States, Canada, and elsewhere, Britain is nevertheless still 4,000,000 tons short of her 1939 merchant fleet. British expenditure on the war reaches the astronomical figure of £25,000,000,000, to which the financial sacrifice of the British people has vastly contributed. This is disclosed in the fact that about SO per cent, of Government expenditure is covered by taxation, which in the last year averaged £7O for every man, woman, and child in the country. Even the pay of men in the services is taxed. Few high incomes now remain. In 1038, 7000 persons had incomes of more than £6OOO net. To-day only 80 persons come within that category. A further 30 per cent, of -Government expenditure derives from, savings. Since the war began £10,000,000,000 has been invested in National Savings, nearly half / representing “small” savings. In other words, to further the prosecution of the war, a’ large proportion of the population have voluntarily given up spending power. The sale of assets and oversea investments, amounting to £ 1,065,000,000, nas accounted for a further 11 per cent, of Government expenditure. The end of the war with Germany, while it means a reduction in the British people’s sacrifice for war purposes, does not end It. Japan has still to be beaten and then they must face the trials and difficulties of reconstruction. A long hard road lies ahead: but it will not dishearten this magnificent people who have endured so much and achieved so greatly.