Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Harold Stark said to the Japanese Ambassador to the US, Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura in 1940:
Quote:
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While you may have your initial successes due to timing and surprise, the time will come when you too will have your losses but there will be this great difference. You will not only be unable to make up your losses but will grow weaker as time goes on; while on the other hand we will not only make up our losses but will grow stronger as time goes on. It is inevitable that we shall crush you before we are through with you.
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For a picture of what the high brass though before the war...
Nomura knew it was true, too, as did the IGHQ.