War crimes toll set at 142,076 (7-29-46)

The Pittsburgh Press (July 29, 1946)

War crimes toll set at 142,076

Filipinos suffer most in U.S. total

WASHINGTON (UP) – War crimes fatalities totaled 142,076 American and Filipino citizens, the War Department has reported.

It said that the 142,076 deaths resulting from war crimes “represent murder, not mere war casualties.”

The Pacific theater suffered the heaviest with 131,028 victims, followed by the European theater with 10,600 victims. The China theater suffered 701 U.S. victims, the India-Burma theater 166, and the Mediterranean, 115.

The Mediterranean theater does not include Yugoslavia where it is estimated that the Axis countries were responsible for at least 150 U.S. victims.

A breakdown shows 23,039 U.S. armed forces victims: 27,258 Filipino armed forces victims; 595 U.S. civilians; and 91,184 Filipino civilians.

Assistant Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson said that 133 cases involving 388 accused have thus far been tried.