Why is it so hard to get correct estimates of casualties during war?

A: Many soldiers got buried in trenches before they were counted.
B: Records often get lost during wartime.
C: Not every country keeps records of the fallen

1 answer

All three options you provided highlight important factors that contribute to the difficulty in obtaining accurate estimates of casualties during war:

A: Many soldiers got buried in trenches before they were counted. - This refers to the chaotic nature of warfare, where the immediate aftermath of a battle can lead to bodies being left uncounted or buried hastily. In some cases, soldiers may be buried where they fell, without proper records being kept.

B: Records often get lost during wartime. - War often leads to destruction of infrastructure, including record-keeping systems. In the chaos of conflict, documentation can be lost or destroyed, making it difficult to track casualties accurately.

C: Not every country keeps records of the fallen. - Different countries have varying levels of record-keeping and reporting practices. Some may not prioritize or have the resources to accurately document casualties, leading to incomplete data.

In summary, the difficulty in estimating casualties during war can be attributed to a combination of these factors, along with the fog of war and differing methodologies for counting and reporting casualties.