Estimate of the Situation: Pacific - Far East Report by C.I.C Note by the Sec.

and possible division among the United Nations, which would enable her to conclude a satisfactory peace. Although Japan will continue to use some caution in the employment of her air power and battle fleet, we believe, nevertheless, that Japan now intends to resist vigorously, tenaciously, and in force including the use of her battle fleet any further Allied efforts to penetrate the line Kuriles-Bonins-Marianas-Palau-Vogelkop. Her ground forces will offer maximum resistance at all points with little regard for losses, her air power will be committed to a scale of defence proportionate to the strategic importance of the area, and her battle fleet will attack whenever circumstances develop which seem to offer opportunity for an effective blow.