A Japanese ambassadorial report from Istanbul describes Turkish leaders as shaken by the fall of Tobruk and potentially open to a change in policy. It suggests that Japanese pressure might encourage closer cooperation between Turkey and Germany. The report does not prove a settled Turkish alignment with the Axis. Turkey instead benefited from indicating friendliness to both camps while the war's outcome remained uncertain. The passage also shows the limits of using another power's diplomatic intelligence to judge a neutral state's intentions.
Notable Point · 2:33-3:52
Japanese reporting and Turkey's wartime hedging
A Japanese report that Turkey might lean toward Germany is set against Ankara's effort to preserve room for manoeuvre by sending friendly signals to both sides.