The War in the Mediterranean (January–November 1942)

Abstract

The entry of the United States into the war, and the halt of the German offensive in front of Moscow, did not bring about any discernible change of heart among the Spanish leaders. On the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Serrano Súñer ordered his staff to deliver letters of congratulation to the Japanese legation.¹ Since the attack was delivered on a Sunday, and no Spanish papers appeared on the Monday, the press by Tuesday had had time to reflect and produce a balanced coverage. Instead of that, El Correo Catalán ran the headline: ‘Japan declares war on the UK and the US,’² followed the next day by one more colourful: ‘Japanese squadrons fly over the Yankee coast.’³ Arriba’s first reaction was to express its understanding of the Japanese action.