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HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT NO. 63

17th DECEMBER, 1941

(Covering period from 8th December to 15th December, 1941)

Note : The figures in brackets refer to sources of information, a list of which is given at the end of this report.

I. GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

The situation in the Pacific has taken first place in the public's mind during the past week. The immense range of events seems to have left most people “rather breathless with confused reactions”; feeling as a whole is described as “divided between satisfaction that the United States is now actively in the war on our side, and dismay at the strength of Japan”, which was accentuated by the apparent unpreparedness of our new ally. Since Thursday, when, following the news of our serious naval losses, public feeling seemed to have been at its lowest ebb, there has been a steady recovery of spirits; this appears to be mainly due to:-

(Nevertheless, there has been much disappointment at our delay in catching up with official forecasts of the campaign's progress).

Most reports agree in saying that lately the public has “stood up staunchly to a series of shocks”, and that, on the whole, they have had a bracing effect. It is now thought to be generally realised that “the war has entered a new and more serious phase”, and is likely to be considerably prolonged, though confidence in our victory remains unshaken. “Further hardships are anticipated”, and there are “signs of readiness for greater sacrifices of personal liberty and comfort”.

The hope is expressed, therefore, “that the Government will take all necessary action swiftly to harness the public effort at this psychological moment”.

Japan

“Initial contempt for the Japanese has given way”, according to most reports, “to lively apprehensions”, though the Japanese are not apparently regarded as being as formidable as the Germans. All the same, “the range and power of their attacks have been an unpleasant surprise to the public, which has been fed by certain newspaper ‘experts’ on stories of Japan's crippled economic position, and of the alleged poor quality of her airmen and aircraft”. This surprise has been all the greater because of her “relative ineffectiveness in China”.

Although the importance of Singapore seems to be “only very imperfectly appreciated”, some apprehension is reported on the strength of our defences there, and on the difficulties of imposing “Anglo-American superiority in the Pacific and the Far East”. It seems that the public as a whole has not yet grasped the diverse implications of the situation in the Pacific, partly owing to a poor understanding of the geography.

Naval losses .

Last Wednesday, when the public heard of the loss of the ‘Prince of Wales’ and ‘Repulse’, was described by many people as “the blackest day since Dunkirk;” but relief at the high proportion of men rescued has done much to mitigate the public's depression. “The consternation and distress with which the news was received” gave place, after the first shock, to critical speculation about the amount of air support given to the ships. “The regard in which the British Navy is held, however, has silenced any criticism of the strategy which resulted in their loss”. Yet many people are said to be making unfavourable comparisons between “the apparent ease with which the ‘Prince of Wales’ was sunk and the outstanding manner in which the ‘Bismarck’ remained afloat”.

U.S.A.

Public feeling about the United States seems to fall under four main headings:-

(a) Pro-American feelings : President Roosevelt's speech to Congress on December 9th made a deep impression; it was received with unanimous praise and has been compared with some of Lincoln's speeches. Great satisfaction is expressed at his announcement of “plans for 100% war effort”.

(b) Alleged American unpreparedness : At the same time, there has been much comment, some of it angry, some contemptuous, on the United States' apparent unpreparedness. There is particularly strong criticism of “the lack of foresight indicated by the grouping of ships at Pearl Harbour, and the poor defences of her island bases”.

(c) Unfriendly feeling towards the United States : Some contempt is also expressed for “the remarkable unanimity of the Americans in going to war when they are directly threatened, after the years in which they appeared content to let other people do their fighting for democracy”. There is, in short, a feeling reflected in many reports that she has been pushed into the war rather against her will.

This antipathy is reported to be “strongest among working people, who most admire the Russian resistance”. The difference between the public's attitudes towards Russia and towards, America is noted by more than one R.I.O. It is pointed out that “people are willing to make immense sacrifices to assist the Russians, even giving up food and materials that are badly wanted here”, but America's entry into the war has produced aggrieved remarks about “the possibility of diminished supplies of food and tobacco”. There are now thought to be signs, however, that “this mood of slight anger and frigidity are passing, and that there is greater realisation that America and ourselves are side by side and sharing the same dangers”.

(d) Supplies from America . Considerable speculation is heard about our future supplies from America. The general opinion seems to be that they will be “lessened in the immediate future, but that before long they will assume greater proportions than ever”. Much is expected of “American's well-nigh inexhaustible material resources, and her vast man-power”, though some apprehension has been caused by our offer of Canadian shells, as “this is considered to reveal a state of unpreparedness even worse than had been anticipated”.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, Scotland, Northern Ireland)

2. Russia

The news of the Russian advances has been enthusiastically received as “the most encouraging corrective to bad news elsewhere”. “The Russian capacity for offensive action after all they have been through evokes the greatest admiration”; so does their “almost legendary bravery”, and their “breaking of the idea of Germany's invincibility”. Satisfaction at these successes is slightly tempered by a feeling that if they are unable to advance in Russia, the Germans will “break out in some new direction”, probably in heavy air attacks here. (see “Air Raids”; page 4).

Disappointment has been expressed in some quarters that Russia is not at war with Japan, particularly as Russia alone is considered to be favourably placed for air attack on Japanese cities. Apprehension has been expressed lest her inactivity towards Japan may mean that she proposes to make peace now that she has stopped the German offensive. There seems, however, to be a fairly widespread understanding of Russia's reluctance to open up another front, particularly in view of our delay in declaring war on Finland.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)

3. Libya

Disappointment, which marked the earlier stages of the Libyan campaign, has now given way to “sober satisfaction” that the Germans are in retreat. Criticism of our tanks, on grounds of inferiority in size and armament continues to be heard.

The change of command is taken by a large section of the public as meaning that “General Cunningham had blundered in the early stages of the campaign”. The statement that he was suffering from a “breakdown in health” has been sceptically received, and with some regret, as the Cunningham brothers had apparently caught the public imagination more than General Auchinleck has done up to the present. The appointment of General Ritchie has been very well received, largely, it seems, because he is not yet forty-five.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.)

4. Air Raids

Several regions report that the public is once again expecting heavy air raids. There is apparently a widespread feeling that “now that the Nazis find they cannot proceed in Russia they will be able to turn their attention to us again”.

(1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10.)

5. The Prime Minister's speeches

Mr. Churchill's two statements (the broadcast on Monday December 8th, and his speech in the House of Commons on December 11th) appear to have made very different impressions on the public.

(a) The Broadcast Speech, December 8th .

This caused considerable disappointment. Many people found it depressing and “in strong contrast to the confidence with which he had challenged Japan some weeks before”. The general impression seemed to be that it was “the speech of a very tired man, and people are worried lest he should strain himself”. It is pointed out that “the public hangs so much upon his utterances that the least hint of uncertainty gives rise to speculation”.

(b) The Speech in the Commons, December 11th .

His review of the war situation, on the other hand, has been described as “a masterly exposition”, and has done much to “restore not only confidence but a sense of proportion among the public”. His statement on our losses in the Pacific was much appreciated for its “candid admission that the loss of these vessels was the severest naval blow ever suffered by Britain. The public prefers such frankness to attempts to gloss over unpleasant facts”.

6. Broadcasting and Presentation of News

Some satisfaction has been expressed this week with the presentation of news. As a result of the swift announcing of the loss of our two battleships the feeling is gaining ground that bad news is not being withhold. There has, however, been considerable criticism of the “idiotic Press” for misleading the public as to the strength of the Japanese Fleet and Air Arm. In this connection Dr. Dalton's “blunt warning” concerning Japan's power and resources, “which forbids us to under-estimate our enemy in the Far East”, has been favourably commented on. It is pointed out that such statements, giving a true picture of the situation “are much more likely to stimulate morale than to depress it”.

Mr. Priestley : There has been appreciation for his series of “Listen to my Notebook” broadcasts; it is noted that the propaganda is “wrapped up” and “does not suffer from the over-emphasis of some of his earlier postscripts”.

Mr. Bartlett : One R.I.O. reports considerable appreciation for his postscript to the 9 o'clock news on December 7th.

(1, 2, 3, 7, 13, 21.)

7. Mosley

At a time when many husbands and wives are threatened with separation, through the extension of conscription for the Services and industry, “indignant comment” has been caused by the report that Sir Oswald Mosley is to be transferred to the same prison as his wife, in order that they may be together. It is said to be “time the Home Secretary realised that this man is not only as much an enemy as Hess, but a traitor - and in Germany he would have been shot”.

(3, 8, 32).

8. Rumours

There has been an increase in the number of rumours reported this week. Singapore is said to have fallen, and from various sources come stories of the sinking of H.M. ships “Malaya”, “Barham”, “Ramillies”, “King George V”, and “Warspite”. “Half the U.S. Pacific Fleet” is also said to have been sunk.

The Japanese are said to have found a new steel “capable of piercing any armour”.

The air raid on Whitley Bay on December 8th led to a crop of rumours that the attack was due to the imperfect blackout of billets occupied by R.A.F. men, a large number of whom were said to have been killed - and that in one billet a chimney was on fire at the time of the raid.

It is now believed that “any money due under the post-war credit scheme reverts to the State if the creditor dies before it is repaid”.

In Liverpool it is rumoured that a man dressed as a woman is cutting electric cables in air raid shelters.

From Glasgow comes a story that many women are receiving extra clothing cards “through their husbands' employment in the Board of Trade”.

(1, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

9. National Service Act

The new regulations continue to be generally approved, but there is some dissatisfaction on these points:-

Allowances and pensions : The prospect of a much greater intake of both men and women into the Services has stimulated criticism of dependants' allowances pensions, and compensation in general. “The present conditions are regarded as most unsatisfactory”. In particular, it is felt that women who enter the Services, and who have dependants, should be given the same allowances as those of men.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, Midland, 21, Bristol P.C. 28.)

10. Industry

As reported last week, the increased scope of conscription for industry has focused public attention on the short-coming of workers and particularly of managements. On the whole, workers are apparently thought to be doing their best; it is felt that any drive for greater production must aim at a serious overhaul of managerial arrangements. Many cases of slackness in munitions factories, through no fault of the employees, continue to be recorded from various parts of the country, and “the feeling persists that we are still not all out for victory. Aircraft workers have complained of not being given enough to do for weeks on end, and Irish war workers state that they are encouraged to go slow”. A sense of “disappointment and frustration” is reported among the workers who are stood-off or subjected to delays at a time when, it is felt, the need of the country must be urgent if such drastic measures have had to be taken to secure manpower.

Wages : Discrepancies in wages are again much discussed particularly where there are local instances of unskilled labourers receiving more than skilled workers: the high pay of juveniles causes great concern to certain welfare officers and social workers, and it also seems to be a fruitful source of grievance when it is contrasted with Service pay. Opinion is again recorded that the regularisation of pay is something which the Government must tackle sooner or later if industry is to be on a satisfactory war footing, and therefore the sooner the better.

Difficulties of Women Workers : The introduction of the ‘pairing-off’ system for women workers is thought by many to be the only means of tapping a very large reserve of womanpower which will otherwise be lost to the country. More and more women with children, or other household ties, are said to be discussing the need for some arrangement by which two neighbours can interchange duties, both at home and in the factory, to make up a full-time shift between them. Few factories, so far, have provided part-time work, even in districts where labour is scarcest: for this, too, managements are generally considered to blame, though there is also apparently some unwillingness on the part of “reserved” men to see women employed in this way, as it is supposed that the men themselves will be released for the Army, as soon as the women have mastered their jobs. It is also said to be feared by the men that the women will be able to stick to these jobs in peace-time, once the convenience of the ‘pairing-off’ system is recognised.

Lack of day-nurseries (and the expense and inadequacy of child-minders, where these are available) remains one of the chief problems for women workers, as does also the shopping question. Sunday morning opening of certain shops, for the exclusive use of factory workers with special cards, has been suggested by two R.I.Os; it is pointed out that for the sake of their own employees, these shops might close instead on Monday, which is often a slack day.

The R.I.O., Southern Region, writes: “One difficulty preventing a number of married women from volunteering for industry is said to be that their husbands are paying contributions on their behalf to local medical benefit societies. If the women take up paid work they are no longer eligible for benefit, lose all the money they have paid in contributions, and will have to wait six months after taking up insurable employment before they can draw any medical benefit under National Health Insurance. It is asked whether some arrangement could not be made as a war-time measure to permit benefits under local medical aid societies for married women on war work”. The question of double insurance, to be paid by the employer, is also said to complicate the introduction of part-time work.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, Midland, 21 Cardiff P.C. 28, 32.)

11. Billeting

The problem of finding accommodation near factories, which is already serious in some areas, is expected to become still more acute in the near future, when thousands of new workers will be drafted into industry. “From Banbury, for instance, it is reported that saturation point has been reached. Transport drivers requiring a night's lodging often have to be accommodated in police cells for want of a billet”.

The opinion is still general that in the reception of evacuee children, the lower-middle and working classes are doing more than their share, while the big houses somehow manage to escape. From the South Western Region it is reported that “small houses near a Bristol aerodrome resent receiving billeting notices, on the grounds that there are scores of empty houses near the works”.

The inequalities of billeting allowances, and their disparity with the costs incurred, particularly for young children, is another cause of complaint. There seems to be no justification, for instance, for paying a lower rate when two or more children under ten are billeted in the same house.

Yet another grievance is that those caring for evacuees receive no payment and are yet prevented from doing paid war work. Although willing to undertake the care of the children in a first emergency, many are not prepared to continue without pay for the duration. Failure of the children's parents to provide the necessary clothing often causes additional expenses to kindly foster-parents who do not like to see the children inadequately clad and so provide boots or garments themselves.

(5, 6, 7, 10, 14, Southern)

12. Food

In general, the food situation continues to give considerable satisfaction, though there is some anticipation of a decrease in supplies from the U.S.A.

Milk : Although complaints about distribution continue, far fewer are reported this week. Confusion about tinned and dried milk is attributed to the fact that “broadcasts and press statements have been so often amended”.

Eggs : The shortage of eggs “has come to the fore” this week. There is again some confusion, as to “where all the eggs have gone”, and the feeling is expressed once more that “the egg rationing scheme is a lamentable failure”.

Tinned Foods : Approval of the points rationing scheme seems to be almost unanimous, and it is hoped that this system may be more widely used. American canned foods are gradually growing more popular and the variation they afford to the diet is appreciated.

(1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 21.)

13. Clothes Rationing

There has again been very little comment on this subject, two R.I.Os report a feeling that the present system works out to the advantage of the wealthy, as poor people buy cheaper clothing which does not last long.

Sheffield steel workers complain that they have not yet received the supplementary clothing coupons promised by the Board of Trade.

Young children . One R.I.O. reports enquiries from parents who have run out of coupons and cannot send their young children to school without shoes.

(2, 4, 5.)

14. Constant topics and complaints

The difficulty of shopping , owing to early closing hours, is “still a serious grievance”. The demand for Sunday opening is increasing.

Loss of time owing to “serious deficiencies in transport facilities ” is still a cause of complaint among war workers.

There is “much bad feeling” about the removal of iron railings before the clearing of scrap iron dumps. Local authorities are blamed for poor efforts at collecting and sorting kitchen waste set aside for pigs and poultry. Housewives report that this is often in a rotting condition before collection, and has to be burned. Some of them are also unsettled by talk of bonuses amounting to 20% of the profits being paid to salvage collectors.

The prohibition of wrapping paper is considered too drastic - “it is felt that shopkeepers might be granted some discretion”.

Complaints of inadequate milk supplies and - more particularly - of the distribution scheme are reported by twelve R.I.O.s. Mention is also made of the “curious variations” in the way in which doctors deal with requests for extra milk certificates.

In some areas there are complaints that supplies of tinned or dried milk, promised as substitutes for liquid milk, are not yet available.

The demand for more British Restaurants persists.

The most serious shortage of food reported this week is of eggs . Complaints are also made of the scarcity (and high price) of fresh fish .

Other shortages are of: chocolate and confectionery; matches, lighters and flints; tobacco and cigarettes; wines and spirits; fruit; offals; cheap crockery and kitchen equipment; second-hand bicycles.

Other causes of complaint are: waste of petrol by the Army (this from Northampton) and by private cars; discourtesy of ‘bus conductors , male and female; and poor lighting in public conveyances .

The widespread shortage of wireless batteries is regarded as “extremely serious from the point of view of public morale”, and the suggestion is made that they should be rationed, with priority for areas lacking electricity. Banbury L.I.C. reports “as a matter of urgency” that at least fifty per cent of the battery sets in neighbouring rural districts are out of action for want of H.T. batteries.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20, 28.)

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