Tribune: "Imphal defenders' last escape route blocked.... General offensive due." I'd say, overdue. The Observer says the loss of Dimapur will hit Britain hard. Commentator calls it a "military, political triumph." He says, "Honestly, it's quite clear" — but it isn't. The Japanese needed a blitz to take Imphal. They started with a sideshow in Arakan, then moved up from Tiddim, blocked Kohima, and attacked along three routes. They had to bring in supplies across difficult mountainous terrain, then, exhausted, face an enemy that had logistics, materiel and aerial superiority. After all their setbacks in the Pacific, Burma was their last hope, as Commentator said, to bring down the British Empire and affect the outcome of the war. And they failed. Now all that's left is to secure one objective — to save face — so they can retire "to prepare new positions."

It's the third afternoon in four days of rain — very good for the Metropolitan Water Works and the thousands of blooming gardens, but bad for the mango trees.