European Civillian Casualties of WW2

[Lutiferre]

Originally Posted by Seekers

I never got this fully confirmed, but I have read things to more or less suggest that many of the Russian casualties were actually killed by Russian troops, in the tactics of the burned ground for example. Do you know anything about this?

What is rather commonly represented is that the strategy of the Red Army - or say a lack of strategy, lacking maintenance of field gear and an abundance of troops - made for an abundance of casualties. I'm not saying that all of this is correct, I'm just interested in discussing it.

So its reasonable to assume that the Soviets themselves actually account for perhaps even a majority of the Soviet figure?

Originally Posted by Carnyx

Hard to say. Couldn't find many infos but just to give you an idea, the French campaign (Axis') would have caused the death of 20,000 civilians (out of a total of ~ 300,000).

Maybe, but again thats guesswork. And I think for guesswork to be accurate, a historian should do it.

Are there no historian sources about this? There must be some historians, who have speculated about this topic, researched it and made estimates.

Originally Posted by Big Bwana

Population 1939 15,400'000.

Military deaths 446,000

Civilian deaths 514,000

Jewish holocaust deaths (supposed) 67,000

Total deaths 1,027,000

Deaths as percent of population 6.67%

Population statistics: historical demography

But are we sure the Axis directly killed all those 514,000? I dont remember much WW2 history, but isnt it reasonable to think that during war, most armies kill large quantities of civilians, even the army of the country itself? Just look at Iraq, 700,000 civilians dead.

What about opposing forces? In which countries could a factor like that impact on the number? I.e. which countries have the Soviets/Allies and the Axis fought, or just the countrys army and the Axis? (that didnt happen in Denmark, thats why we have so few casualties)

[svin]

So its reasonable to assume that the Soviets themselves actually account for perhaps even a majority of the Soviet figure?

No, that's not true. More than a million died because of starvation during siege of Leningrad, for example.

[Lutiferre]

Originally Posted by svin

No, that's not true. More than a million died because of starvation during siege of Leningrad, for example.

Yeah, thats the problem with these numbers. They dont represent civilians killed by the Axis. Starvation doesnt count as such.

[Monolith]

Originally Posted by Big Bwana

Population 1939 15,400'000.

Military deaths 446,000

Civilian deaths 514,000

Jewish holocaust deaths (supposed) 67,000

Total deaths 1,027,000

Deaths as percent of population 6.67%

Can you please provide more specific location within your link, since I'm having difficulties finding that certain data?