It is hard to believe that the attack on Pearl Harbour and Japan's entry into World War II came as a surprise to anyone given a remarkable article in the Army News in late October 1941.
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It quoted an address in Osaka by Japanese Prime Minister General Hideki Tojo.
"We must go on to develop in ever-expanding progression," he said. "Naturally, difficulties will arise but if 100 million people merge into one iron solidarity and go forward, nothing can stop us.
"If this state of preparedness is completed, diplomacy will become an easy affair. Wars can be fought with ease. Nothing can surprise me. No international pressure can disturb me. Unity makes people one and whole, and it will solve all problems."
American senators responded by urging an immediate United States blockade of Japan.
We all know how that worked out . . .
The same edition carried a front-page report on increased pay for the "fighting services".
"The federal budget tabled in Parliament this afternoon provides for an increase of a shilling a day active pay for all members of the fighting services, including the home defence war-time military services.
"This payment involves a total additional expenditure of £7,300,000 a year."
Spouses were not forgotten, with an extra sixpence a day for wives with one or more children.
On the flip side, there were significant increases in income tax.
The top marginal rate, which cut in at £2500, was set at 90 per cent or 18 shillings in the pound.
The US, meantime. was on the cusp of war with Germany after the torpedoing of the USS Kearny and claims by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that the Nazis had plans to carve up South America and to "abolish all existing religions".
"We have wished to avoid shooting," he said. "But shooting has started and history will record who fired the first shot. In the long run, all that will matter is who fired the last shot."