In response to our skepticism, the Japanese explained in ludicrous detail yesterday, their method of calculating the precise number of ships sunk or damaged. Today, they use the argument of last resort: "Daihon-ei Communiqués are announcements made by His Majesty the Emperor, the Supreme Commander of the Japanese Army and Navy." Therefore, every report is "verified and ascertained as far as it is humanly possible." After two years of war, the Japanese are still fighting for credibility.

Commentator: Bougainville will result in "a complete and crushing defeat" for the U.S. He admits we landed with a large force, but these "stranded men" (with their tanks, artillery and planes, mind you) are as inadequately supplied as they were in Guadalcanal. The big difference, he says, is that Bougainville is "but a stone's throw from Japanese advanced bases." So what were yesterday's impregnable first and second lines of defense are mere advanced bases today.

Greater East Asia Conference
Bose sporting crisp military attire, Wang in conservative formal wear,
Ba Maw in, er... traditional wear, Chang [Manchukuo] with a... stethoscope,
Laurel with top hat on knee.