N.Z. Army Casualties Total Over 33,000

Northern Advocate, 24 August 1945, Page 2

N.Z. Army Casualties Total Over 33,000

(Special) WELLINGTON, This Day. An analysis of the casualties in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and in the Royal New Zealand Air Force is given in the annual reports of the General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces (Lieut.-Gen-eral E. Puttick) and the Chief of the Air Staff (Air Vice Marshal L. M. Isitt). The reports; were presented in the House of Representatives yesterday. The Army casualties since the outbreak of war to May 31 last total 33.013 and the overseas casualties in the A.ir Force up to March 31 of this year total 3998. Aircraft accidents in New Zealand up to the same date accounted for 205 deaths. Motor and other non-flying accidents were responsible for 46 deaths .and 73 died from natural causes, making a total of 384 deaths in New Zealand since the outbreak of war. Casualties in the military forces up to May 31, 1945, were as follows: — Killed in action: Middle East, 4033; United Kingdom, 2: Pacific. 95; total, 4130. Died of Wounds etc.: 1791: 1; 41; total, 1833. Deaths due to Accident: 268; 10; 43; total, 321. Died of Sickness: 242; 8; 32; total 282 Prisoners of war: 8181; nil; 7; total, 8188. Missing: 340; nil; 2: 342. Wounded: 17.683; 3; 231; total. 17,917. Totals: Middle East, 32,538; United Kingdom, 24; Pacific, 451; grand total, 33,013. Overseas casualties to New Zealand airmen from the outbreak of war to March 31 last and for the year ended on that date were as follows: —Killed or presumed dead: Total, 2875; figures for year, 665. Missing. believed killed: 138; 45. Missing: 476; 162. Prisoners of war or interned: 509; 64. In addition. 91 have been reported seriously ill or injured and remain on the list at March 31, 1945. Of the total of 3998 casualties, 3648 have been reported to be R.N.Z.A.F. personnel and. 350 New Zealanders serving with the Fi.A.F. at the outbreak of war.