NEW ZEALAND FORCES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 586, 27 December 1915, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND FORCES.

CASUALTIES TO DECEMBER 21.

AN OFFICIAL SUMMARY.

Press Association.

WELLINGTON, December 24

An official summary of the casualties to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force up to, and including the lists issued on December 21, gives a total of 8033, the details being as under:—

The approximate losses of the various units in killed in action, died from various causes, wounded, missing, and prisoners, are as follow: — Total Unit. casualties. Headquarters 25 Auckland Mounted Rifles .. • • 517 Wellington Mounted Hikes .. . . 510 Canterbury Mounted Rifles .. .. 545 Otago Mounted Rifles 393 Artillery Brigade 220 Engineers Auckland Battalion 1360 Wellington Battalion 1521 Canterbury Battalion 1295 Otago Battalion 1297 Veterinary Corps .. .. .. << ® Army Service Corps 15 Divisional Train 36 Field Ambulance 126 Divisional Signalling-Co 2 Rifle Brigade • • 15 British Section 15 Army Nursing Service 20 Maori Contingent 203

It will be noticed that a much greater proportion of casualties was suffered by the Mounted Rifles and Infantry Brigades than by other units.

THfc BALKAN CAMPAIGN.

BRITISH STILL LANDING.

GENERAL CASTELNAU ARRIVES.

SALONICA, December 23.

The landing of British troops and supplies at Salonica is proceeding without interruption. December 24.

General " Castelnau has arrived here. He has concluded his inspection at Salonica, and expresses satisfaction with the measures taken for the defence of the city.

ALLIED CO-OPERATION.

RUSSIANS AND ITALIANS.

ZURICH, December 26.

It is reported from Vienna that Russian torpedo boats continue to bombard Varna.

ATHENS, December 24.

Outposts of the Italians at Valona have reached Greek outposts in Southern Albania.

ENEMY ACTIVITY.

CONCENTRATION ON THE

DANUBE.

SALONICA, December 23.

German cavalry arc escorting large Bulgarian convoys from Strumnitza to Ghegevli. Two Turkish divisions are approaching Doiran, and two Bulgarian divisions with heavy German batteries are marching towards Monastir, where King Ferdinand is quartered.

December 24.

The Bulgarians are occupying strategic positions, along their front. Heavy guns have been brought from Varna. The Bulgarians are utilising Struranitza as their base. One hundred and twenty thousand troops are assembled there, and the Bulgarians are expected to attack the Allies when 180,000 men have arrived. BUCHAREST, December 24.

Sixty thousand Bulgarian and German troops have been concentrated at Rustchuk, where they are displacing Turkish troops.

SERBS IN ALBANIA.

JUNCTION WITH ITALIANS.

ROME, December 24. Prince Alexis Karageorgevitch, in an interview, said the Serbians are occupying lines in various parts of Albania, and have also connected up with the Italian Expeditionary Force. The Serbians engaged the Bulgarians eastward of Elbassan, where a battle has been raging for the last three days. LONDON, December 24.

The Rome correspondent of "The Times" says Serbian refugees are arriving in Italy in the deepest distress and despair. They attribute their misfortunes to the mistake of the Allies in not realising the exigencies of the military situation. Till the last the Serbian military staff were confident of their ability to hold the north front, but were ignorant of the difficulties attending the early arrival of the Anglo-French assistance.

„ The Serbian troops are. in good fettle, but an organised stand is impossible, the bulk of their artillery having been destroyed at Ipek. The spirit of the men is unbroken, and with rest and food they will again be good fighters. Probably 130,000 can be reassembled. The situation is unfavourable for reorganisation. The Bulgarians are concentrating for a push through Elbassan, towards Durazzo. The Austrian advance through the Matja Valley is dangerous, and may possibly cut off the remnants of the Serbian army and prevent them from joining lip with the Italians at Yalona and Durazzo. Austrian submarine activity in the Adriatic is adding to the difficulty of getting supplies through to Scutari for the Serbians coming southwards. Meanwhile the Italian base at Yalona is the rallying point for the Serbians.

Other Officers. ranks. Total. Killed in action .. .. 65 1034 1099 Died of wounds .. 21 515 536 Died of disease 9 254 263 Died, cause unknown ,, — 2 2 Drowned .. 10 22 32 Missing 22 636 658 Prisoners of war .. ., — 23 23 Wounded .. 216 5204 5420 Totals 343 7690 8033