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SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT
Copy No. 271

The aim of this Report is to present an impartial assessment of public feeling about the war and the war effort. It is not a record of fact , except in so far as public opinion is itself a fact. The public is sometimes ill-informed, prejudiced, or inconsistent. The recording of such feelings without comment implies no endorsement of them.

The public is more prone to criticise than to praise. Good work or efficiency is usually taken for granted. An accurate record of expressed feeling will, therefore, tend to be critical rather than laudatory.

The method of compiling the Report is such that the amount of space devoted to each subject, and the order in which subjects are placed, are roughly indicative of the amount of public interest each is arousing. The omission of a subject from the Report means that it is not a matter of widespread comment.

In assessing the state of public feeling there are no absolutes. Findings can only be comparative. Each issue of this Report must therefore be read as part of a continuous series. Unless the series is seen as a whole, the significance of fluctuations in feeling cannot be appreciated.

The figures in brackets at the end of each section refer to sources of information, a list of which is given on the next page. The weekly reports from Regional Information Officers (R.I.Os.) are compiled by the Regional Intelligence Officers from a large number of sources. Details of the methods of compilation and cross-checking are contained in a paper on “How the Home Intelligence Weekly Report is made”. This will be supplied on request to the Home Intelligence Division of the Ministry of Information.

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MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT
SECRET

No. 122 4th February, 1943

(Covering the period 26th January to 2nd February, 1943)

I. GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

A further rise in spirits is again reported this week. The continued victories of the Russian armies, particularly the liquidation of the German forces in the Stalingrad area, are said to be the chief cause. The Casablanca conference gave rise to considerable interest and much initial pleasure, but not the same sustained satisfaction. The daylight raids on Berlin were welcomed everywhere with elation and amusement.

On the other hand, uneasiness and disappointment continue to be expressed over the political and military situation in North Africa, while anxiety over the shipping position and the U-boat menace is said to have further increased since last week.

The probable length of the war is again a subject of discussion. Many are said to speak of “the end of the conflict being in sight”, and those who think it will be later than Spring 1944 appear to be in a minority. Nine reports mention the belief that there is too much complacency or over-optimism; this is said to have been “increased by recent news of internal affairs in Germany” and “the depressed tone of German propaganda”. It is, however, suggested that, at present, “easing of tension rather than slacking-off best describes the impression given”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 21 seven provincial P.Cs. No report from Region 5 this week.)

2. Russia

In the main, reactions differ little from those reported during recent weeks......“Russia is still the one main topic”.....“However successful or even sensational the news from other quarters may be, the eyes and hearts of the majority are turned towards ‘our great Allies’”. The victory at Stalingrad is said to have aroused “more intense admiration than any other Russian exploit”, and it appears that the admiration and gratitude of the majority have never been higher.

Familiar minority reactions include (a) scepticism of Russian claims; (b) growing realisation of the material aid already sent by the Allies; (c) speculation as to whether the Russians can “keep it up”, and a fear that they may exhaust their resources before our offensive starts; (d) dubious speculation as to Russia's role at the peace-table; (f) lack of knowledge of Russia and of the size of her territories.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 16. 21 eleven provincial P.Cs. 22 eighty-seven P.D.Rs. 32.)

3. The Casablanca meeting

The meeting of the Prime Minister and President Roosevelt at Casablanca did not arouse great excitement. The way in which the announcement was made is said to have led to some disappointment, and to have resulted in a feeling of “anticlimax after the American news fanfare”. Mr. Churchill's absence had been widely presumed, and “many suspected that the 3 a.m. announcement would concern the Premier and President Roosevelt and were rather bored by the fuss”. Although in Scotland “the excellent publicity attending the meeting has drawn approving comment”, other reports suggest that some people disliked it as “too reminiscent of Axis meetings between Hitler and Mussolini”. It is thought that “the repetition of such meetings has deprived them of sustained news interest”.

Interest in the meeting itself is described as “transitory”. The majority seem to have been pleased that Mr. Churchill and Mr. Roosevelt had again met, but initial pleasure is said in many cases to have given place to a slight feeling of disappointment.

Other reactions may be summed up as follows:-

Favourable :

Unfavourable :

(1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 22 sixty-six P.D.Rs.)

4. The meeting between Generals de Gaulle and Giraud

This meeting appears to have caused initial pleasure and even enthusiasm, but there is said to be a strong “under-current of doubt of the ability of these two French Generals to agree entirely on any vital point”. Some people - particularly “those who carefully read the communiqués - are profoundly dissatisfied” and criticise the meeting as “very unsatisfactory”; they consider that it has “accentuated rather than allayed suspicion regarding the political tangle in North Africa”. It is remarked that the generals “didn't look very happy in their photographs”.

Three reports mention General de Gaulle's growing popularity, while there is some indication that “early faith in Giraud is now shaken”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 13. 22 twenty-one P.D.Rs.)

5. Tunisia

Public feeling about the political and military situation in Tunisia appears to have undergone little change as a result of the Casablanca meeting. Dissatisfaction - particularly with the political aspect - continues to be widespread (Seven Regions). Only three reports indicate “a slight reassurance arising out of the conference”. Other reactions are on familiar lines:-

(1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 21 five provincial P.Cs. 22 twenty-nine P.D.Rs.)

6. The Eighth Army

There is increasing pleasure at the continued progress of the Eighth Army. It is widely hoped that “Rommel will be demolished before he can link up with the Axis forces in Tunis”, but few people are said to “think he can do much against us”.

The prestige of the Eighth Army and of General Montgomery is now very high. The campaign, from El Alamein to Tripoli is looked on “as one of the greatest feats in the history of British arms”. “Even the anxiety caused by the time it takes for letters to come from the men is overcome by the pride their relatives feel in their achievements”, according to the Northern Region report.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 21 four provincial P.Cs. 22 seventy-two P.D.Rs.)

R.A.F. offensive

Daylight raids on Berlin (30th January) : “Whoops of delight” greeted the news of these raids: “The public gloried in the way that the R.A.F. busted up the party”. Particular satisfaction was reported at the delay in Goering's speech and the fact that we lost only one bomber.

In addition to enjoying “the sheer impudence of the exploit”, the public are said to have been “very reassured to find that we are sure enough of our ground to be able to bomb Berlin in daylight”.

Other raids on Germany and German occupied territory : Great satisfaction continues to be reported at all such raids, particularly those on Berlin. “Special mention” is made of the U.S. daylight raid on Wilhelmshaven and the R.A.F. bombing of Copenhagen, Lorient and Dusseldorf.

“Let's hope Rome will soon get a packet” is a wish reported from two Regions and Postal Censorship. Our failure to bomb Rome is this week ascribed to “the number of Roman Catholics in the Foreign Office” or to “fear of the Pope”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 21 seven provincial, one Special P.Cs. 22 forty-two P.D.Rs.)

8. The tenth anniversary of Hitler's seizure of power

Although the Nazi celebrations were overshadowed by the R.A.F's “rude interruption”, there is satisfaction that Hitler made no speech - “a good index of Nazi embarrassment”. People are impressed by “the recent extreme change in Germany in the tone of speeches and the Press”, and are wondering “how the Germans will respond”. A few, however, are “suspicious at the extent of official gloom emanating from Germany”.

(1. 3. 4. 6. 7. 9. 10. 11)

9. The war at sea

“More and more people are realising the seriousness of the U-boat menace”. Uneasiness is again reported “because, as no news is given, the public just don't know what to think”. It is felt that the Government should publish our losses “to help correct some people's over-optimism” or, conversely, to kill “rumours floating around of enormous losses”. The Government is accused of “keeping the news from us as they think we can't take it”. A few people suspect that “the gloom is being piled on deliberately” to counteract over-optimism.

(1. 3. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 21 four provincial P.Cs. 22 thirty-seven P.D.Rs.)

10. Air raids on this country

The bombing of the London school (20th January) : The indignation mentioned last week is again reflected (thirty Police reports and eight Postal Censorship reports). To quote a typical comment: “When it comes to killing poor children it gets everybody's back up; everybody here is savage about it”.

Sir Archibald Sinclair's explanation to the House of Commons (27th January) is considered “unsatisfactory” (Five Regions) - particularly “about the close-hauling of the balloons”. It is suggested that (i) “incompetence has been hushed up”, (ii) our defences may be inadequate.

Expectation of further raids : “Reprisal raids” on this country are anticipated, but people on the whole are said “not to be anxious” and to feel that “we are more than a match for anything the Germans can do now”. At the same time there is further reference to the possibility of Hitler “giving us an awful time when he gets desperate: he will start using gas or will make one very hasty air raid”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 7. 9. 10. 12. 21 eight provincial P.Cs. 22 sixteen P.D.Rs.)

11. Far East

There is still little comment on the Pacific theatre of war. Mr. Curtin's recent statement drawing attention to the Japanese menace to Australia is said to have sobered the high hopes, resulting from the recent Allied successes in Papua, of the United Nations taking the initiative in the Pacific.

India : The announcement that wheat is to be shipped to India has aroused some adverse comment in three Regions. It is not understood why the public here are asked to eat less bread and more potatoes to save shipping space, when space can be found to convey wheat abroad; the suggestion is made that Australia and Canada might supply the food and ships instead.

(1. 2. 4. 6. 8. 9. 10. 22 five P.D.Rs.)

12. The Beveridge Report and post-war reconstruction

The volume and nature of discussion on the Beveridge Report continues unchanged. “Many hopes are centred on the Report” and people “would like to know that the main principles have been accepted by the Government”. The withdrawal of the A.B.C.A. pamphlet is “still referred to with disfavour”; it is even suggested that the ban is a “Government try-on” to see if they can “get away with dropping the report”.

Interest in post-war reconstruction continues, - with fear of unemployment as a predominant feature.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 21 eight provincial P.Cs. 22 five P.D.Rs.)

13. Anti-Semitism

Reports from six Regions refer to anti-Semitism this week (as against five last week). It is said to be increasing in four of these (Scotland, North Western, North Eastern and Wales) and scepticism of atrocity stories, and lack of sympathy for the persecuted Jews in Europe are also mentioned. German and Austrian refugee business men are criticised for “throwing their weight about”, and for running “flourishing businesses” while their English competitors get called up. In Scotland, Jewish names in recent black-market prosecutions are noted critically, and Jews are accused of “changing their names to Scottish clan names by deed poll”.

(1. 2. 4. 8. 10. 11. 21 three provincial P.Cs.)

14. Broadcasting and presentation of news

Again there is little comment; on the whole the presentation of news is felt “to be quite good”. The “more vivid and dramatic” European News Service (Three Regions) and “the repetition of headlines” (Two Regions) are praised. It is hoped that this repetition will be adopted in all news bulletins.

Appreciation : (i) “All War Commentaries”; Professor Lindley Fraser's (28th January) is specified. (ii) Godfrey Talbot's despatches, (iii) “ITMA”. Three Regions report regret that it has ended.

Criticism : The Brains Trust is again said to be less popular: “the questions are unpractical and answers evasive”. “War and Peace” is now “felt to be less successful than people had hoped”.

Classical versus dance music : There is said to be a growing demand for good classical or light classical music, and less for “jazz of the noisier type: there is too much trashy dance music” (Three Regions).

(1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 21 two provincial P.Cs.)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

15. Manpower

Mr. Bevin's announcement in the House of Commons (28th January) of further measures for directing women into industry, has stimulated demands for the comb-out of young men and young women in “soft jobs” (Three Regions and Postal Censorship). The measures themselves have not yet been “much commented on”, but preliminary reports suggest that they are “accepted” as “another step towards total war”. On the other hand, in Scotland it is said that servicemen “keenly resent” their wives being called up.

Mr. Oliver Lyttelton's recent speeches (20th and 30th January) have “made a good impression”, but his references to the need for transferring labour have evoked critical comment, and people in the Northern Region are reported to be “already flatly refusing to go”. The chief objections reported are:- (a) transfer while work is available in the home district (Three Regions), (b) “the inadequate accommodation available” to transferred workers, and (c) the difficulties of keeping up two homes (One Region each).

(1. 2. 3. 6. 7. 9. 10. 11. 21 one provincial, one Special P.Cs. 22 two P.D.Rs.)

16. Industry

Very little comment on production is reported this week. While “a bit of quiet grousing still goes on”, the belief that most workers are “prepared to do anything to achieve final victory” is supported by many letters in Postal Censorship. Complaints of (a) the bad effect of long working hours (Three Regions), (b) shopping difficulties (Three Regions) and (c) the strain, particularly on women, of fire-watching and Civil Defence duties (Two Regions), continue to be mentioned.

(1. 3. 6. 10. 21 two provincial, one Special P.Cs. 22 two P.D.Rs.)

17. Transport difficulties

From eleven Regions this week come references to transport difficulties. Complaints are reported to have increased in two Regions, and transport for munition workers is said to have become a serious difficulty in another.

Complaints are on familiar lines - the overcrowding of buses, the inadequacy of bus services, the curtailment of evening and Sunday morning transport, the failure of buses to pick up passengers at intermediate stops, the bad timing of trains, and the rudeness of bus drivers and conductors.

A new difficulty is reported from the Southern Region. It is said that buses which run on producer gas constantly break down and that passengers have to wait an hour or more, in a rural area where other passing buses are all crowded, before they can complete their journey.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 14 Eastern Region 22 nine P.D.Rs.)

18. Petrol

From eight Regions this week come reports of the waste and misuse of petrol. These follow familiar lines - the use of taxis for pleasure and shopping, the use of private cars when alternative transport is available, and alleged inequalities and abuse of allowances.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 10. 11. 14 Eastern Region 22 three P.D.Rs.)

19. Shortage of cycle lamp and torch batteries

The shortage of cycle lamp batteries and torch batteries is again reported this week (Eight Regions each). Reports from two Regions refer to the situation as “somewhat easier”, but according to two others “complaints are still rife”.

In the Southern Region, there is said to be “ill feeling because some magistrates impose fines on cyclists accused of riding without lights, and others don't”. It is still felt “to be unfair to prosecute when batteries are unobtainable”. On the other hand it is suggested in the South Western Region that “some people are using the shortage as an excuse for going without lights”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 9. 10. 11. 22 thirty-one P.D.Rs.)

20. Clothing

Coupons for household linen and towels : Seven Regions report coupon difficulties this week, and it is said that “women are still pressing for something to be done to provide special coupons for household goods”. There is said to be particular hardship among poorer families whose small stock of towels is constantly in use, and also where evacuated children and war workers are billeted.

Children's clothing and footwear : Shortages of children's clothes, stockings and shoes are again reported, this week from six Regions; also complaints of the difficulty of clothing growing children on the present coupon allowance (Three Regions). Children's shoes are said to be of “such poor quality that the usual custom of handing down to younger children cannot be practised”. “Comparisons between the good arrangements and provision as to food and the scanty and poor provision as to clothing are often drawn”.

Wellington boots : Outdoor workers continue to complain of the difficulty of obtaining rubber boots “which can be seen in the shop windows, yet are not for sale”. Farmers and Land Girls think “it is pretty hard lines to see Italian prisoners enjoying substantial rubber Wellington boots whilst they themselves are unable to get them”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 9. 10. 12. 21 two provincial P.Cs. 32.)

21. Fuel

There is little comment this week concerning fuel economy, “probably due to the comparatively mild weather”, but it is thought that “people are trying” and “some find they have definitely used less gas and electricity”. There are again reports of unequal distribution and poor quality of coal, and some concern that “the old and sick have difficulty in obtaining sufficient supplies even if a medical certificate is sent to the Fuel Office”. Complaints of the inadequacy of the fuel ration are reported (i) where there is home-baking and washing to be done, (ii) from occupiers of large houses and (iii) from districts where the climate is very severe.

Paraffin : The shortage of paraffin is said to be “causing hardship, possibly because the Government does not realise how much people in country districts depend on it” (Two Regions and Postal Censorship).

Fuel Flashes : There are again reports of the unpopularity of the radio fuel flashes (Two Regions).

(1. 3. 4. 6. 8. 10. 12. 21 three provincial P.Cs.)

22. Health

Reports from three Regions (as against seven last week) refer to the prevalence of colds and influenza. “The inability of people to resist these complaints” is attributed to “the lack of nourishment in wartime food”, and overwork. The prevalence of jaundice is commented on in one report.

Venereal disease : A demand for more information on this subject is reported from two Regions.

(1. 4. 6. 10. 21 one provincial, one Special P.Cs.)

23. Food

Satisfaction with the general food situation continues. Severer rationing “as the war develops” is expected.

The main complaints are on familiar lines: the shortage and zoning of fish; the high controlled price of green vegetables; the shortage of eggs, sweets, rabbits, offal, saccharine, the distribution of milk.

Bread : The prospect of bread rationing is said not to be liked by housewives, and it is thought that if it comes it will be the fault of the thriftless as much as the shipping situation. The serving of bread by restaurants when it is not really needed and the feeding of bread to domestic animals are the two chief complaints. It is suggested that much waste could be avoided if (a) bread were not sold when fresh; (b) the National loaf was sold in a 1 lb size; (c) there was a bread target like the “Fuel Target”. The demand for an increased fat ration for cooking potatoes is again reported.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 21 fifteen provincial P.Cs. 22 thirty-six P.D.Rs.)

III. MONTHLY SUMMARY OF CONSTANT TOPICS NO. 6

(Covering the period from 5th January to 2nd February 1943)

All new topics arising for the first time are included in the main Weekly Reports. The following have lost their novelty, while still retaining their importance for large sections of the public. They are arranged according to the frequency with which they have been reported.

Transport difficulties

Waste of Petrol

Inadequacy of clothing coupons

Shopping difficulties and food queues

Anti-Semitism

Preferential treatment of certain customers by shopkeepers

Too many young women in civilian jobs and evading the call-up

Too many young men in civilian jobs and evading the call-up

Inadequate collection of salvage

Inadequacy of Servicemen's pay and dependants' allowances and pensions

Shortage of housing accommodation and difficulty of billeting workers

Rationing difficulties of people living alone

Disparity in pay

Unfair treatment of the small business

Lack of wartime nurseries and other facilities for looking after war workers' children

Shortages :

Shortage of fish

Shortage of torch batteries

Shortage of cycle lamp batteries

Shortage and poor quality of clothing and footwear

(a) Children

(b) Adults

Shortage and high price of crockery, glass and kitchenware

Over

Shortage of shell eggs

Shortage of Wellington boots

454

REFERENCES

D 34653-1 6,000 1/43 R P W