For nearly a year now I read the daily German war communique saying Wehrmacht forces spent the past 24 hours heroically fighting off ferocious assaults, yet the map lines continually move towards Germany?
Before "Baghdad Bob" there was "Berlin Bob."
The average German must know things are not going well. Look at the German communique that admits that large forces of Army Group Center have been cut off and surrounded in Belorussia. Every German knows somebody who knows somebody in that pocket, just like Stalingrad.
But at least the Germans are giving somewhat accurate information to their people. If you were Japanese, by now you must believe the IJN has sunk about 50 American aircraft carriers and shot down several thousand planes. They may not be publishing maps any more.
The important thing is that the military and for the most part the civilian leadership of both countries already know the war is irretrievably lost. The defeat at the Philippine Sea and destruction of Japanese naval aviation will lead to the fall of Tojo’s government. But they won’t quit. In a few weeks, after the success of Operation Cobra and the disasters on the Eastern Front, Rundstedt will give Hitler the the advice “Make peace, you fools!” And he’ll be sacked for it.