Chapter 39 Summary

H reads an article about the June 5th raid and is surprised to learn that 350 B29 bombers led the attack, and the Japanese destroyed 200 of them. The article barely mentions anything about the extent of the damage done in the raid. The article reports that three areas were set on fire during the raid. In reality, many areas are virtually wiped out. H wonders why the newspapers cannot report the situation accurately.

The practice of keeping everything secret is common in Japan now. The newspapers publish little of what the public wants to know. Weather reports are no longer found in the newspapers. The reason for this is the possibility that the enemy might use this information to its advantage. The newspapers are now full of messages from the government and the military.

One day while working in the school factory, H and...