HC Deb 15 November 1917 vol 99 cc564-5
48. General CROFT

asked what are the totals of prisoners, guns, and booty captured from the Turkish Empire since 1st July, 1916?

Mr. FORSTER

The totals of prisoners and guns captured from the Turks by our Armies since 1st July, 1916, are as follows:

Prisoners 30,197
Guns 186
These figures represent the number reported up to the present, but the returns from the Palestine front are still incomplete. I will circulate with the OFFICIAL REPORT the other information asked for in the question as far as we have it.

As regards booty, details have not yet been received from Palestine.

The booty reported as captured in Mesopotamia includes:

52 machine-guns.

32 trench mortars.

His Majesty's ship "Firefly" (recaptured).

4 steamers.

2 tugs.

10 barges.

2 steam launches.

30 pontoons.

21 engines.

240 trucks.

Several miles of railway track.

Some aeroplanes and aeroplane engines.

Large quantities of ammunition and rifles.

In addition to large quantities of miscellaneous engineering material, clothing, equipment, and transport animals.

General CROFT

Do those figures include 1,500 prisoners announced to-day?

Mr. FORSTER

I could not say.

49. General CROFT

asked what are the total numbers of prisoners and guns captured by the British armies on the Western Front since 1st July, 1916; and what are the total number of prisoners and guns captured by British arms on all fronts since the commencement of the War?

Mr. FORSTER

The total number of prisoners captured on the Western Front since 1st July, 1916, is 101,534. The total number of guns captured in the same period is 519. Since the commencement of the War the British armies have captured on all fronts about 166,000 prisoners and over 800 guns.

Mr. PRINGLE

Will the hon. Gentleman communicate that answer to the Prime Minister in time for his speech on Monday?