208
General Freyberg to the Prime Minister¹
[Extract]

I have to report that on the collapse of enemy resistance in Tunisia I at once made arrangements for the Division to be withdrawn in order to have the maximum time for implementing the scheme for returning personnel. I have just reached Cairo by air with my staff, and the Division, following by road, is expected to reach here about 3 June. Everybody will be accommodated at Maadi, and leave camps will be arranged near Alexandria and in Palestine. The troops are tired after the campaign but are in good heart.

As you will remember, I was anxious about the prospect of heavy casualties in the final stage of the campaign. I am very glad to be able to notify the Government that casualties have been much lower than anticipated, the success of the attack in the north making further attacks on our front unnecessary. Casualties since we left Tripoli, that is from 1 March to 13 May, are as follows:

Killed: 20 officers, 269 other ranks

Died of wounds: 7 officers, 59 other ranks

Wounded: 100 officers, 1320 other ranks

Missing: 6 officers, 71 other ranks

Total: 133 officers, 1719 other ranks….²