apostrophe on a plural

[weepootle]

Would it be "the wives of the fallen soldiers" or "the wives' of the fallen soldiers"?

At first look I can't see why it needs an apostrophe but I'm having a block.

the wives of the fallen soldiers. No apostrophe.

I think.

Now ive looked at it again, you've got me thinking too.....

Does it refer to the fallen soldiers wives (plural, no apostrophe) or something that belongs to the wives ie 'the wives' tears' IYKWIM - a bit clumsy, but the only thing I could come up with...

No apostrophe needed. If you wanted a sentence that meant the same but with an apostrophe it would be

The fallen soldiers' wives

(assuming the wives belonged to several soldiers)

So in the context you probably mean, NO apostrophe

No apostrophe. It's not a possessive and there are no letters missing.

If you were writing 'the fallen soldiers's wives' or 'the fallen soldiers' wives' clothes' then yes as it's possessive.

No apostrophe.

Ooh I am a slow typist!

Shit a typo. I mean 'the fallen soldiers' wives' not 'the fallen soldiers's wives'!

Thanks ladies, I should trust my first instinct!