SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
SATURDAY, JULY 3rd, 1943.

PRESENT:

The Director General

The D.D.G.

Parliamentary Secretary

Mr. Francis Williams

Mr. Gates

Mr. Grubb

Mr. Royds

Mr. Cruikshank

Mr. Carter

Mr. Kirkpatrick

Mr. Ryan

Commander Easton

Brigadier Neville

Admiral Carpendale

Mr. Lyne

1. REPORTS FROM SERVICE ADVISERS .

2. AIR MINISTRY STATISTICAL REVIEW.

[N/363]

Mr. Ryan enquired what authority lay behind the statements in the Air Ministry's Statistical Review for June that (1) “credence might be given” to a neutral report of the “catastrophic fall in morale” in Germany, due to Bomber Command's raids, and (2) that “the utter fatigue prevalent among the Berlin population is apparent” He reported that no satisfactory guidance was available on these points at the Air Ministry during the night. It was pointed out in discussion that official statements of this character were directly contrary to Ministry and P.W.E. policy, as expounded on frequent occasions by the Minister at his press conferences and as embodied in numerous directives.

Brigadier Neville drew attention to another passage in the Statistical Review referring to the air support of certain undisclosed operations in Burma, which had considerably embarrassed Military Affairs.

The Board deplored the irresponsibility exhibited by both these passages.

3. B.B.C. WAR COMMENTATORS .

The D.D G. reported that a Parliamentary Question had been put down for the Air Ministry on the selection of its B.B.C. War Commentator. The Chairman took the view that this question ought to be answered by this Ministry, the Air Ministry's agreement to be secured to a reply stating that the arrangements for all three War Commentaries were made by the B.B.C., as the department responsible, direct with the Service Departments.