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SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Friday, 8th August, 1941.

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G.

P.S.

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Francis Williams

Mr. Gates

Mr. Tree

Mr. Ryan

Colonel Heywood

General Tripp

Admiral Carpendale

Mr. McIver

Mr. Nash

Mr. Victor Schuster

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The Minutes of the meeting on 7th August were taken as read and approved.

2. REPORTS BY SERVICE ADVISERS

Admiral Carpendale reported that a false report was being circulated by the Germans to the effect that Berlin had been bombed; it was agreed that a denial should be issued with a hint that German nerves appeared to be cracking.

Colonel Heywood promised to discuss with Mr. Francis Williams whether any counter measures should be taken in connection with a German propaganda book called “I Was a Nazi Flyer”, which had been published in Canada.

It was agreed that, if possible, a handout should be prepared based on information given by a scientist who had recently been in Moscow.

The Service Advisers and Mr. Nash and Mr. MacIver then left the meeting.

3. PUBLICITY FOR RUSSIA

It was agreed that an exhibition might be arranged from the photographs already available showing the variety of types and the differences in climate, etc., within the Soviet Union; it was thought that there was much in the ordinary life of people in Russia which would interest the public in this country.

4. TRAINING OF PHOTOGRAPHERS

It was agreed that the D.G. and Mr. Francis Williams should discuss with the Minister the suggestion that photographers should be brought from “Life” to assist in training men in this country. No objection was seen to the idea of a school to train photographers in the art of taking photographs which would not be objectionable to the Service authorities, and it was recognised that in matters of presentation photographers in this country were in some need of training; but it was thought that great offence would be caused if it were suggested that training in other respects was required.