Netherlands Losses In German Invasion

Northern Advocate, 15 November 1940, Page 8

Netherlands Losses In German Invasion

THE -HAGUE, September 30,

The difficulty of obtaining accurate information . while a battle is under way is illustrated by the extraordinary discrepancy in figures given out regarding the losses sustained by the Netherlands during the German invasion between May 10 and May 14. On May 15 Netherlands Foreign Minister Elso N. Van Kleffens was quoted in a Paris dispatch as estimating that the Netherlands army had lost 100,000 killed, or a quarter of the whole army of 400,000. By July .hese figures had simmered down to 5000 killed and 10,000 to 30,000 wounded.

According to tne most recent statistics about 3000 were killed and 7000 wounded. It is said that not more than 150 will remain permanently disabled. In addition to this there are some thousands of men missing, the majority of whom had escaped to France in the early days of the war.

Shovels for Swords,

Sixty thousand picked men, recruited from Netherlands professional* army as well as from the demobilised conscripts and reservists, including officers, sergeants, corporals and men, are to form an army of builders for the reconstruction of the devastated areas.

The professional military, which are chiefly officers and non-commissioned officers, can apply for service in this reconstruction army, which is exchanging guns and swords for shovels, pickaxes and hammers. The service is indicated by the emblem of a spade attached to the regular Netherlands military uniform. Professional soldiers have had the choice of three possibilities: (1) a job in civil life if they could get a permanent one; (2) public services, such as police, customs duties and river police; (3) a place on the retired list, if they were entitled to pension. Pupils of the Military Academy at Breda are to follow special adjustment courses in order to open the way for study at ordinary universities. Financing Reconstruction.

Demobilisation of the ranks of the Netherlands conscription army would for the majority have been tantamount to consigning them to unemployment and the dole. Therefore, this reconstruction army has been formed in order to facilitate their gradual return to ordinary work in civil life. Only such projects are to be carried out as are of importance to the community as a whole. In the first place a great many military obstacles and fortifications are to be removed. Agriculture will also need the help of many hands. Breakwaters, extensions of dikes and channels have to be constructed. Many of these jobs can be done by unskilled labour. Military discipline will be strictly maintained in this reconstruction army. . Reconstruction in the Netherlands will be financed out of a Reconstruction Fund, 1940, to be formed by (1) those items on the budget which under the changed conditions can no longer be applied for the original destinations (salary of the Queen and of the Ministers, salaries for diplomatic representatives abroad, defence expenditures and other items); (2) 'the remainder of the Equalisation Fund; (3) floating debt or loan.