Page "David Irving" Paragraph 11

In the first edition, Irving's estimates for deaths in Dresden were between 100, 000 and 250, 000 – notably higher than most previously published figures.

These figures became authoritative and widely accepted in many standard reference works.

In later editions of the book over the next three decades, he gradually adjusted the figure downwards to 50, 000 – 100, 000.

According to the evidence introduced by Richard J. Evans at the libel trial of Deborah Lipstadt in 2000, Irving based his estimates of the dead of Dresden on the word of one individual who provided no supporting documentation, used forged documents, and described one witness who was a urologist as Dresden's Deputy Chief Medical Officer.

The doctor has since complained about being misidentified by Irving, and further, was only reporting rumours about the death toll.

Today, casualties at Dresden are estimated as 22, 700 – 25, 000 dead.