1. I've been moved to write a short thread on British casualties during the Second Battle of Ypres #WW1 #Ypres

2. I’ve been doing some work on 2nd Buffs during the Second Battle of Ypres over the past few days. What has struck me yet again is just how horrific British casualties were in that particular battle. They get overshadowed by the mud of Passchendaele but shouldn’t be.

3. According to their war diary 2nd Buffs suffered casualties of 19 Officers and 712 Other Ranks during a two week period from 22 April – 4 May. That’s about 75% of their full strength. My god.

4. They receive reinforcements, notably 5 Officers and 350 Other Ranks on 15 May. Back in action at the Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge (24–25 May) the battalion sustain another 395 casualties amongst the officers and men. That REALLY is some attrition rate.

5. For those that are unaware, a battalion at full strength was just over 1,000 men.

6. As for 28th Division (in which 2nd Buffs served), their losses for Second Ypres are mind-blowing. Their casualties, tabulated in the British Official History total 15,553 officers & men.

7. That's an insane level of attrition – basically the entire infantry complement of that division killed, wounded or missing. All in just over a month.

8. These losses are so localised & the battlefield so small. So, while British casualties at Third Ypres are four times those sustained in April-May 1915, it was spread over a larger area and from 31 July – mid Nov 1917. One to dwell on whenever we get back to the battlefields….