544

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT
Copy No. 288

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. Though this Report must inevitably represent mainly articulate opinion, it has been found in practice that the views of the less articulate do not substantially differ, though their range is smaller.

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 their 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.

37138-1

P.T.O.

546 549 4 550 5 552 7 553 8

Wt 19398 10M 7/43 H J R & L
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT
SECRET

No. 172, 20th January, 1944

(Covering period from 11th to 18th January, 1944)

I. GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General

Spirits remain at a high level, for much the same reasons as last week. Expectations of European invasion increase, and rumours of pre-invasion activity are fairly widespread; civilians are considered less discreet than Service people. Apprehension about the expected casualties continues.

The Russian advances and the Allied air offensive are again cheering factors. Concern continues about Russo-Polish relations.

On the home front postwar prospects, clothing, and the reduction in the domestic coal allowance are the main topics. Complaints of weariness and strain persist.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 17 passim)

2. Russia

The success of the Red Army continues to evoke widespread praise, admiration and amazement. Some think the Russians may beat the Germans before the second front opens; some hope they will reach the heart of Germany first.... “We have not been hardened by an invasion of our homeland”. On the other hand, a minority fear that if the Germans are beaten before we start invasion, the U.S.S.R. will dominate the peace settlement.

Russo-Polish relations : Concern and regret at the weakening of Allied unity at such a critical time continue. Except in Northern Ireland, sympathy is chiefly with the Russians, and the Polish Government's “unrealistic” attitude is criticised ... “if it were not for Russia, there would be no Poland at all”. Russia's offer of settlement of frontiers was thought fair, although it was also pointed out that any settlement unsatisfactory to Poland would be a negation of the principles for which we are fighting. The Russian reply to the Polish declaration has caused some disquiet.

People realise the situation calls for careful handling and are uneasy and divided in their minds. They feel that Poland may insist on the restoration of prewar frontiers, while the U.S.S.R. will not contemplate giving up land she has occupied. Although it is thought that the U.S.S.R. indicated at Moscow and Tehran her wish to be friendly, a number of people regard Russian diplomacy with suspicion.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 17 eleven provincial P.Cs.)

3. The Second Front

Reports from all Regions tell of widespread speculation and rumour. As to time, opinions vary from a few days hence to late in the year, though March or April are the most popular dates. The return of Mr. Churchill and arrival of General Eisenhower have increased expectations of an early attack. A number think we shall attack at several points simultaneously; others consider France or Norway the most likely places.

In six Regions, small minorities believe that “the talk is all bluff” and part of the war of nerves, and that there will be no second front.

Many, especially women, anticipate and fear heavy losses (Eight Regions). There is, however, complete confidence in the outcome.

Some feel there has been too much publicity about the second front (Three Regions).

The Eighth Army : Anxiety, especially among relatives, is again reported lest the returned men are used as the spearhead.

The commanders : Comment has decreased, but is on familiar lines.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 17 eleven provincial P.Cs.)

4. The air war

Allied air offensive : Satisfaction and comment on familiar lines, particularly about raids on Berlin. There continues to be concern at our losses, speculation about German morale, and - from a few - regret at the necessity for bombing civilians, and sympathy for the German women and children.

The American day raid on German aircraft factories (January 11): There is great praise for the U.S.A.A.F. (Nine Regions); people appreciate “such strong proof of U.S. fighting quality and cooperation”. There is some scepticism of American claims of enemy planes shot down (Five Regions), and scepticism as well as concern over the number of their own losses (Three Regions).

Rockets, rocket shells, and trailing bombs are the subject of mild concern (Three Regions). In London, it is thought that the raiding of the Pas de Calais has stopped any rocket danger for the present; elsewhere the general view of these raids is that they are a prelude to invasion. In London, too, it is rumoured that the bomb dropped on a London cinema when there was no alert was, in fact, a rocket fired from the French coast.

Reprisal raids continue to be expected when our invasion starts, specially in the South, but little apprehension is reported.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 17 nine provincial P.Cs.)

5. The jet-propelled fighter

This is still the subject of great interest (Nine Regions), particularly among men, schoolboys and “the technically minded”, who eagerly awaited the radio talk on it. Though few expect it will affect the course of this war - at any rate in Europe - people are pleased that “Britain still retains her inventive genius, specially in view of postwar trade competition”. There is, though, some working-class comment to the effect that “Britain is running true to form, as the inventor had to hawk his wares for years before anybody took any notice of it”.

There is considerable surprise and some perturbation at “the extraordinarily full and definite publicity” (Six Regions). People think that this is giving information to the enemy, that it will encourage workers to talk about their work, and may bring air raids on the locality where the plane is made. In Scotland, “our readiness to pass the secret over to the U.S.A. is contrasted by many left-wingers with the seven years' sentence recently meted out to the Communist organiser, Springhall, for passing information” - it was assumed, to Russia.

Annoyance is again reported from the Royal Aircraft Establishment in one Region at official statements in the press that there were no casualties during the trials of the new plane, “as it is known that several pilots were killed, and such statements lead to suspicion of other official statements”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11. 17 two provincial P.Cs.)

6. Italy

Comment continues without any change.

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

7. Execution of the five Fascist leaders

This has not been much discussed. There is no sympathy for the victims, though there have been some remarks about German ruthlessness. It is thought to be a German warning to possible rebels in other countries. It is felt that the process of eliminating war criminals has begun, and that Germany has “saved us the trouble”.

(2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11. 13)

8. The war at sea

Pleasure over the sinking of the Scharnhorst and the German destroyers continues (Five Regions).

U-boat warfare : The recent statement (January 10) on the U-boat position is felt to be highly satisfactory, particularly as shipping will be so vital in the invasion.

(1. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 17)

9. The Skipton by-election

The results of the by-election have caused considerable comment, most of it favourable to the successful candidate. The election of the Common Wealth candidate is variously regarded as:

A good deal of local criticism was heard of the War Office's refusal to allow Lieutenant Lawson to speak in Edinburgh; it was asked why they did not let him know “in good time”.

(1. 2. 3. 6. 7. 8. 11)

10. The bombs among the oranges

The discovery of the bombs caused indignation and a short-lived outburst of anti-Spanish feeling. Previous unneutral incidents in Spain were recalled. In London, it was rumoured that the bombs were put in the crates to engineer an incident which would give us an excuse to invade France through Spain.

(1. 2. 3. 5. 7. 8)

11. President Roosevelt's message to Congress

Little comment, but people approve and admire the President's “straight and timely talk” to the American people.

(4. 5. 6. 10)

12. Broadcasting and presentation of news

Once more people ask for headlines at the end of all bulletins.

Entertainment programmes (Five Regions), especially for the Forces, are criticised.

Brains Trust (Nine Regions): Adverse criticism outweighs praise this week.

Praise for plays (Four Regions), specially “ITMA with the Fleet”; European News, 10.45 p.m., particularly “The Man in the Street”; War Commentaries; Happidrome and Dr. Wen Yuan Ning's Postscript, January 16 (Two Regions each).

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 11)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

SHORT WEEKLY REVIEW

13. Postwar

Much discussion and anxiety are again reported. More positive Government plans are wanted, in particular with regard to housing (Ten Regions); social security (Five Regions); employment for both and women (Five Regions); and agriculture (Four Regions).

Discussion about the Education Bill continues on familiar lines (Six Regions).

Lord Woolton's speech at Liverpool , January 14 (Six Regions): Preliminary reports suggest feeling is rather mixed. Some welcome his emphasis on housing, employment and health. Others think the speech was directed towards relieving servicemen's anxieties. Others, again, have been stimulated by it to ask about the Government's “shelving” of the various reports; will there, for example, be a real national housing plan, or merely the enlarging of present towns? A few feel Lord Woolton promised much, but did not say how these promises would be fulfilled.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 13. 17 eleven provincial P.Cs.)

14. Agriculture

Strong feeling among farmers at the revised prices is again widely reported (Eleven Regions). Particularly is this so among small farmers, many of whom are now said to be “in real difficulties as to how to pay wages out of hard cash, when income from crops is seasonal”. Those of the non-farming public who comment on the subject appear equally divided between the Government and the farmers' point of view.

(1. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 13)

15. Housing and accommodation

Strong and widespread comment continues, particularly in London, the South West and in Scotland.

Reports of houses and flats being built in Stalingrad increase people's indignation and irritation.

(1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 9. 10. 11)

16. Reinstatement in Civil Employment Bill

The Bill is arousing great interest and some confusion, but as yet little detailed comment.

There is concern about:

People are pleased at the policy of reinstatement by seniority, and - in Northern Ireland, particularly - that volunteers have been placed on an equal footing with conscripts.

(2. 3. 7. 9. 11. 13)

17. Fuel

Domestic : Grumbles at the coal cut continue - mixed with criticism of the Government handling of the coal situation, of miners for striking, and of coal export. Present hardship, and anxiety about future hardship “when the cold weather comes”, are increasingly talked about.

Poor people feel they are the chief sufferers, as many have neither storage space nor alternative cooking and water-heating facilities; in addition they have only wasteful old-fashioned fire grates. Others in trouble are people in rural areas with no gas or electricity; households with members on different shifts, or with old people and invalids; and people in particularly cold parts of the country.

Special complaints are that:

Industrial : Complaints of insufficient heating in factories come from the Quedgeley area of Gloucestershire, and from Scotland.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 17)

18. Miners and mining

The only new points reported this week are about:

(1. 2. 3. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 17)

19. Clothing

Complaints of the inadequacy of the coupon allowance continue widespread (Eleven Regions).

Relief is again expressed that the allowance for the next period has not been reduced, and there is some pleasure that 24 will be available during one period.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 17 one Special, nine provincial P.Cs.)

20. Food

The Minister of Food's warning of a possible reduction in the meat ration has aroused concern (Four Regions); the suggestion that the smaller ration can be augmented by fish has been received with derision, specially in rural areas. “What is the good of telling us meat will be short and that we must eat fish, when we can't get fish for love or money?” The shortage of fish is reported from ten Regions this week.

Alcohol (Five Regions): During the past two weeks there have been complaints of the shortage and high price of whisky and brandy. These are said to be unobtainable even on presentation of a medical certificate. The demand for medicinal whisky is attributed to flu.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10)

21. Miscellanea

The refusal of six Newcastle bus conductresses to take up similar work in Birmingham has caused a great deal of local comment all of it sympathetic to the girls and highly critical of the Ministry of Labour. People cannot understand why girls should be transferred when there is a shortage of conductresses in Newcastle, nor why Birmingham girls should not have been trained (Northern Region).

Medical certificates : The increase in charges for medical certificates from 6d to 1/-, made by Teesside doctors about 2 months ago, is said to be causing a great deal of dissatisfaction and resentment among working-class people. They feel it is a harsh injustice that they should have to pay a doctor 1/- for “just signing his name”. Since, moreover, a man frequently has to buy several certificates to meet the requirements of his employer and clubs at the onset and termination of his illness, a severe drain is being imposed on his financial resources. It is strongly felt that one certificate should be enough; and that it could easily be shown and not given up to each of the parties concerned (Northern Region).

Black market : It is alleged that, in order not to cause suspicion by the considerable increases in their bank balances, black market profiteers go to race meetings and pay, say, £80 for totalisator tickets to a punter who has won £75; they are thus able to show that they have acquired their wealth by backing horses and to explain why records of such gains do not appear on their books. It is said that a considerable number of totalisator tickets changed hands in this way at Pontefract races (North Eastern Region).

Overcoats for Army Cadets : Some concern is reported from the North Western Region at Army Cadets (7th Cheshires) parading “in all weathers without either greatcoats or mackintoshes”. It is asked why they are not issued with topcoats or allowed to wear civilian coats, as it is thought that the boys, some of whom are only fourteen, will suffer later on if not properly equipped.

(1. 2. 10. 24)

III. PERIODICAL REVIEW

21. U.S. troops in this country

During the past four weeks, despite familiar complaints, the general feeling towards the U.S. troops has improved. They have been particularly praised for their kindness and generosity to children at Christmas (Five Regions), and in Wales for their parties to old age pensioners. Some are praised, too, for their good behaviour, and for doing “their utmost to fit into our way of life”.

There is some anxiety, however, because unfriendliness between them and British troops is believed to be increasing (Four Regions).

Criticisms are on familiar lines:

Some fear among women of being molested in the blackout - particularly by coloured troops - is reported from four Regions. In Wiltshire, the Marlborough case is said to be referred to whenever there is talk of coloured troops being stationed locally.

(1. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 17)

22. Prisoners of war in Japanese hands

During the past four weeks comment has considerably decreased. However, the recent arrival of postcards from the Far East has given great pleasure, and not only to the recipients (Four Regions).

Nevertheless, there is still very great anxiety, particularly among relatives, and it is said that the main interest in the Far East is in the position of our prisoners there.

One suggestion is that after the war the Japanese should be penalised for their delay in notifying the names of prisoners.

In the Northern Region, it is asked whether it is true that the Japanese are giving our men doped cigarettes, and, if so, why the Government or Red Cross do not warn our men.

(1. 3. 4. 5SE. 7. 9)

545

REFERENCES

D 37138-1 10,000 6/43 R P W