THE BRITISH CASUALTIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3347, 8 May 1918, Page 16

THE BRITISH CASUALTIES.

THE NEED FOR MORE MEN. The British War Mission, summarising the situation on the west front, says that they believe the British casualties since Marcj Z± total approximately a quarter of a million. The indications are that the great German offensive will be continued very soon, leading to a serious situation unless sufficient reserves are available. Any German advance towards the Channel ports wiU bo possible only over the bodies of the British army. The messages admit that, owing to th£ severity of the fighting the entire combatant force of the British army has been almost continuously engaged since the opening of the offensive, and the messages urge the serious necessity of providing sufficient reserves to strengthen the lines and relievo the British. Numerous epic doings of Haig's forces are related, these indicating that some divisions sustained casualties amounting to 80 per cent, of their' strength, but they are 'still fighting. The Mission state that two million Germans were brought to a halt by slightly over half a million Allies. According to French authorities, the Allied reserves now outnumber the Teutons' reserves.