Italian losses in the Albanian invasion

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Korbius
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Italian losses in the Albanian invasion

#1

Post by Korbius » 17 Jul 2003, 20:23

According to some sources, it is claimed that the italians lost only 12 KIA and roughly 100 incapacitated. Some others claim a few hundred losses, etc.. Does anybody an exact figure or roughly the total losses of Italian soldiers in the Albanian invasion?

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Peter H
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#2

Post by Peter H » 19 Jul 2003, 07:52

Figures as supplied by Mario Cervi's The Hollow Legions:Mussolini's Blunder in Greece 1940-41:

39,000 dead
51,000 wounded
12,000 with serious frostbite
52,000 hospitalised with serious illness

Cervi blames the large frostbite and illness figure on poor boots and uniforms,unfitted for the cold,and the drop in morale through defeats.Food and firewood supplies were also inadequate.


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Korbius
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#3

Post by Korbius » 19 Jul 2003, 13:04

Greetings Moulded, I think you missunderstood my question because I was referring to the Italian invasion of Albania, nonetheless thanks for replying. Regarding Italian casualties in the Greek campaign, this is what I found:

According to Baldwin THE CRUCIAL YEARS: 1939-1941 The World At War
The Greeks claims 6,000 Italian battle casualties, with a much higher number--some 13,000 Italian soldiers succumbing to trench foot and the "white death" or "dry gangrene" of frostbite

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Korbius
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#4

Post by Korbius » 19 Jul 2003, 14:04

This is what I found in the ezboard archive here:
Lupo Solitario:
Italian had lost 12 dead and 88 wounds, Albanese unknown (but not many more....).
And this is from me.
According to a report from the American mission in Albania (USDS 875.00/520: Tirana, 24 May 1939)
Although Italian Propaganda claimed that Italy lost only 12 men in the entire invasion, it is possible that approximately 200 Italians were killed at Durres alone and that they may have lost as many as 700 in all.
Albanian casualties (including civilians) may have been higher

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