238 239 2 241 4 242 5 243 6 244 7 245 8 246 9 247 10

Wt 39944. 10M 11/43. W.R.R. & S. Ltd. GP 38. (14).
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT
SECRET

No. 195. 29th June, 1944

(Covering period from 20th to 27th June, 1944)

I. GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General

Confidence and spirits are high. Encouraged by successes on all fronts and by Mr. Churchill's “unusual optimism” in his Mexican Embassy speech, people are beginning to be increasingly hopeful about the end of the war; many think it will certainly be over this year, possibly by the autumn.

The pilotless plane has introduced the one stern note, but - except in target areas - seems to have done little to damp spirits. There is anxiety for relatives and sympathy for sufferers, but no one thinks it will alter the course of the war. Londoners, however, are weary, strained and anxious.

Mr. Eden's statement on the shot prisoners has combined with “the most beastly weapon of the war” to stimulate hatred of the Germans.

Home Front : Grumbling is again at a minimum, but postwar conditions, housing and clothing coupons are still much discussed.

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

2. The invasion of France

Great and widespread satisfaction continues, coupled with sober confidence in future developments - “there is no exuberance, because five years of war have taught caution, but there is great hope”. People are prepared for tough fighting ahead and possible setbacks.

Unqualified praise for all concerned and for the feats of planning and organisation continues. There is complete confidence in the leaders, especially General Montgomery; and all the Services, both British and American, are a source of great pride and satisfaction - many prejudices against the Americans are said to have been cleared away.

Interest has been fixed largely on Cherbourg during this week, and its fall gave great pleasure. With proper port facilities, people feel we shall now be able to maintain progress, if not to accelerate it. A very small minority are impatient at the slow advance south of Tilly, though others are glad the British stand there has contributed to the fall of Cherbourg. There is a little anxiety on behalf of the troops because of the weather.

Anxiety about possible casualties continues, particularly among relatives, though there is great relief that they have so far been unexpectedly light - “not like the last war”.

Before the publication of the figures of British casualties on June 28, people were asking why this had not been done.

The organisation for the care of the wounded wins great admiration and appreciation; a few ask for more details about arrangements for visiting relatives in military hospitals.

People are grateful for the good mail service to and from Normandy, though a few think press and radio have exaggerated its rapidity, thus raising false hopes.

A rumour that General Montgomery has been shot by a sniper comes from several districts of Scotland. Press and radio “silence” about him during the past few days is said to have favoured the spread of the rumour.

Women snipers : Rumours of French women snipers continue widespread, and cause angry comment. People think they should be shot.

There has, as yet, been no comment reported on the S.H.A.E.F. denial of these rumours (June 26).

Visits to the beaches of the King and Prime Minister : Comment continues as last week (Ten Regions).

The people of Normandy : Reports in the press, and stories said to have been brought back by the wounded have aroused considerable perplexity and doubt as to the attitude of the French. People ask: “Are they really with us?” Some accuse them merely of lack of enthusiasm about their liberation - “they don't want us there at all” - and of not cooperating with our armies; others, of hostility, and of being anti-British, and say they are not to be trusted. Prominent among the latter are ex-Servicemen from the last war, and it is said that stories of “the sullen French” dating from then have revived. A few sympathise with the French because of all the destruction in their country.

Surprise continues at the good food and clothing of the people. Many people ask what they can believe of all they have been told about conditions in occupied countries. It is said “the French are better off than we are”.

A number feel unless an explanation is given both for French “antagonism” and for the comfortable circumstances of the inhabitants of Normandy, people will not take kindly later on to rationing of food and clothing in order to send supplies to Europe.

Rumours about refugees being sent to this country continue. It is hoped there will not be too many, but some Ulster housewives ask whether any women will be available for domestic work.

The next move : Further landings are generally expected. Belgium and Norway are the only specific guesses.

News presentation of the invasion : Approval of the handling of the news of the invasion continues general. Comment is again on familiar lines. There is, however, some increase in criticism this week, and also evidence of a slight decline in interest in the news ... for some people “headlines are beginning to suffice”.

Criticism is of:

M.O.I. news reels . In Scotland, the 16 mm version of the invasion news reels, at present being shown in remote areas by M.O.I. film units, has come in for special praise. “Probably the most up-to-the-minute news reel ever shown in the Islands; the inhabitants are delighted”.

M.O.I. speakers from the beachheads are also highly praised.

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

3. Flying bombs

The country as a whole

The pilotless plane continues to rival the invasion of Normandy as a topic of conversation. Much anxiety is expressed; but this seems chiefly on account of those living in danger areas, particularly friends and relations. The use of the flying bomb is thought to indicate Germany's weakness and her need to bolster up home morale at all costs, and it is variously described as “Jerry's last kick” and “the product of despair”.

The general feeling is that flying bombs cannot affect the outcome of the war, but people's estimates of them vary widely. Some think them a flash in the pan, too expensive to last long; others are beginning to take them more seriously than at first, regarding them as by no means a passing phase.

The habits and effects of the bomb are the subject of widespread and exaggerated rumours. These are said to be aggravated, and often caused, by: (i) lack of information resulting from security measures, (ii) the tales of evacuees from - and visitors to - London, (iii) letters and telegrams from Londoners, in many cases frantically seeking accommodation in safe areas, (iv) German radio accounts, (v) cancelled outside broadcasts.

Rumours chiefly relate to:

(a) Damage , which is said to be worse than in the 1940/1 blitz ... “London a heap of rubble”. Damage to Big Ben, House of Commons, Buckingham Palace, Westminster and Waterloo Bridges; to St. Pancras, Waterloo, Victoria, Kings Cross and Charing Cross Stations; and to Regent Street and Oxford Street. Boards are said to be displayed at railway stations indicating which stations have been closed due to damage. A particular chapel is named in reports from six Regions. Various London suburbs are named. “You've only to look at the deaths column in The Times to see where they've fallen.”

Portsmouth, Plymouth, Southampton and Bristol are also said to be badly damaged.

(b) Casualties , which are said to be immense, e.g. 1,200 in Ruislip alone; 600 dead in one area in one day; 1,000 in one dance hall; 300 killed by a bomb near Buckingham Palace, etc. etc. The number of obituary notices in the press of people killed by enemy action in Southern England is said to give the impression that casualties must be heavy.

(c) Londoners' reactions and behaviour . The uncanny nature of the bomb, the length of the alerts and the lack of sleep are thought to be making people very nervy, more so than during the heavy blitzes. Some people feel that morale in London may be low, that Londoners are scared or actually panicking. Railway stations are said to be crowded, and train loads of women and children leaving London. Tube stations are said to be “jammed every night”, and “no one enters London without a tin hat”.

Alerts are said to last as long as 36 hours, during which time Londoners remain in their shelters, sometimes not undressing for a week.

(d) The habits and capacities of the pilotless aircraft . Stories of 300 falling at once; 283 in the Croydon area in one night; 12 going over every 2 minutes all night; raids every quarter of an hour, etc. One bomb is said to have reached Leamington, and another to have dropped near Wigan.

Publicity about the bomb and the raids : In view of the widespread rumours it is thought that more details should be published. A number of people appreciate that the enemy should be allowed to know as little as possible of the effects of the raids, but many blame official reticence for leaving the way open for exaggerated accounts, for leading people to accept German claims and for causing uneasiness in other parts of the country. People in target areas, and elsewhere, are critical of official and press accounts which appear to tone down the raids and the damage they cause. People ask for “less secrecy and more true information”.

The Home Secretary's two statements, and particularly the second (June 23) about casualties, have done something to reassure people, but some would like still more details and a few say his casualty figures “obviously didn't include military”.

Defences and counter-measures : The majority continue confident that our experts will succeed in finding means of countering the bomb, though a minority fear it may take some time. Press diagrams of the bomb inspire confidence that, now we know its mechanism, we have a better prospect of overcoming it. A good many believe, however, that the menace will only definitely end when Allied troops have occupied the whole north coast of France. A number think we should land in the Pas de Calais area as soon as possible, though some women workers in London are reported as saying “We don't want our men's and boys' lives risked to stop it - we'd rather ‘take it’ than have massacre”. Though some, in London particularly, are critical of the Government for not having been better prepared “since they knew about the plane for the past 2 years”, most people are satisfied with the measures taken so far.

Particular reference is made to:

Evacuees : There are many references to the arrival of self-evacuated people - full of tales of damage and casualties and of their own sufferings - and to the efforts of Londoners to find accommodation in the provinces. In Wales the very sight of evacuees returning is taken as an indication that this form of attack is more than a nuisance. People in the North Western Region anticipate considerable voluntary evacuation. In Nottingham, where the chief C.A.B. is said to have been inundated with refugees, and in Oxford and Aylesbury, there is a feeling that official arrangements should be made for the reception of evacuees. St. Albans people are said to be apprehensive at the idea of having to billet evacuees.

Localised reactions

A. LONDON : The raids have completely swamped all other war news for the great majority of Londoners, many of whom find it impossible to think of anything else. Nervousness, anxiety, strain and weariness are widespread. Sleepless nights account for much of the increased jitteriness and lowering of morale. Some people can “scarcely believe the raids have only been going for ten days”.

Descriptions of the raids range from “sheer terror” to “a very nasty nuisance but not so bad as the blitz”.

Among the more severely disturbed, a few go so far as to say that unless a remedy is found, “people are not going to stand for it”; they dread another winter if no solution is found.

A considerable number, however, remain calm, regarding the raids with interest, being more disturbed by the atmosphere of uncanniness than by their possible effect; they feel the anxiety expressed is greater than the damage warrants. They think, too, that people are beginning to adjust themselves to the raids.

Shelter : Some are undecided what to do about sheltering. Others pin their faith to shelters - street and otherwise. Overcrowding in tube and other shelters is reported, as well as unpleasant conditions, smell and behaviour in the tube shelters; as a result, people are deterred from travelling by train in the evenings, and some nervous people are even reported to be willing to do anything rather than go to a public shelter.

Some people are anxious about children, and think they ought not to be allowed to leave the school premises during an alert.

Evacuation : As yet, there is apparently no general outcry for evacuation, though people in some areas are demanding it (Bethnal Green, Ilford, Sutton); others ask for Government direction in the matter. Many of those able to do so have already evacuated with their children. In the East End, it is said that if the raids continue the Government will have to face up to a new evacuation scheme. Long queues, some members of which are obviously evacuees, are reported at main line stations, with people losing trains owing to the crowds.

Bombed areas : Rescue squads and hospital services are said to be working marvellously, but first aid repair parties are criticised for their tardiness in getting to work on damaged property. More mobile canteens are said to be wanted at the damaged sites, both for C.D. workers and for the blitzed, who are sometimes too dazed and tired to go any distance to a meal centre. Relatives arriving at the sites after the W.V.S. have gone for the night complain they are unable to locate the whereabouts of their homeless relations.

Defences : Londoners appear to be rather less satisfied than people in other parts of the country with the measures so far taken to counter the flying bomb, and less sanguine that it will be speedily overcome. A few are now said to feel less safe since the A.A. fire has been discontinued, and ask why this course has been adopted.

B. SOUTH EASTERN DISTRICT : Feelings range from dislike to fear and dread, the latter particularly among those who have seen the damage caused; women are said to be particularly nervous. In some places, “people fly for shelter when one comes over, chased by a fighter”. There is no suggestion of morale being lowered, however, and on the whole people clench their teeth and carry on, “finding it a nuisance but getting used to it”. Here, too, lack of sleep is regarded as one of the most trying features and some diminution of output is said to be noticeable among workers. A.A. gunfire is particularly blamed for disturbing rest, and there is some complaint that it is inefficient; but the sight of fighters engaging the planes is said to have done people good.

C. EASTERN REGION : In areas where the bombs have dropped, people are thought to be taking things fairly calmly and carrying on as usual, though suffering from lack of sleep. Nervousness undoubtedly exists, though people were glad to be told by the Home Secretary what they ought to do, and the streets are said to be cleared immediately the siren goes. Confidence has been expressed in the alerts, because their duration has been short and an incident has invariably followed the warning.

D. SOUTHERN REGION : Some alarm, particularly among women, at the possibility that they may drop anywhere and at any time. People's nerves are said not to be standing up to them so well after five years of war. The general view, however, is that the new weapon is a nuisance but not nearly as bad as the raids which people expected to start when invasion began.

E. SOUTH WESTERN REGION : Much apprehension of attacks reaching into the West Country, with something approaching scare among a minority in places possibly vulnerable. However, there is great satisfaction, particularly in sea-board towns like Plymouth, at the capture of the P.A.C. bases in the Cherbourg peninsular.

F. THE REST OF THE COUNTRY : People in Scotland and the North are glad they are out of range, while being full of sympathy for the sufferers further south.

Though only a minority think it conceivable that the flying bomb could ever reach the Midlands, people there appear to be less certain of their own immunity, at the same time expressing less sympathy for Southerners.

The capture of the Cherbourg peninsular is thought likely to have saved S. Wales, though the possibility of their arrival is not dismissed in the Principality.

People in other parts of the country are said to be cancelling visits to London where possible, but coming back full of stories when they have been.

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

3a. Further reprisals

The possibility of other reprisals is being discussed, poison gas in particular. A few wonder if the enemy may send gas in flying bombs. Some concern is reported in London where, in addition to gas, flying incendiaries are feared by a few.

So far there is no reported comment on the possibility of rocket bombardment.

(2. 3. 4. 5. 9. 12)

4. Italy

Although still much overshadowed by events in Normandy, there is very general satisfaction with our advances in Italy and considerable praise for General Alexander.

A few think the attention devoted to Normandy by the B.B.C. and press is unfair to our troops in Italy. In Scotland “people are quoting letters from soldiers in Italy expressing bitterness at the tendency to overshadow events there”.

Political : Satisfaction with Badoglio's retirement continues. There is some approval of the Bonomi Government, but more information about it is wanted.

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

5. Russia

News of the launching of the latest Russian offensive in the central sector has given great satisfaction, and progress both here and against Finland is followed with much interest. Earlier in the week there had been some surprise that Russia was concentrating her efforts on the northern front, though many people had considered this to be only preliminary to advances on the main front directly against Germany. “Big things” are expected of the new offensive; some people again express the hope that the Soviet armies will be the first to reach Berlin ... “They'll know how to deal with the Germans”.

Only a very small minority express sympathy for the Finns, who are felt to have had their chance. It is expected they will soon capitulate.

Praise for the spirit of the Russian people continues; also some distrust of Soviet intentions in the postwar world.

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

6. General de Gaulle and the French National Committee

Concern and mystification at the present situation continue on familiar lines. Many people deplore the failure to recognise General de Gaulle and the French National Committee and feel we are being dominated by U.S. interests in this matter.

Despite some feeling that General de Gaulle may be “difficult” and “uncompromising”, many feel he is the only possible French leader and would be a “rallying point for French resistance”. They fear repercussions in France if the situation is not cleared up, and that delay may cause the unnecessary sacrifice of men's lives.

While some are prepared to accept Mr. Churchill's view that the situation is a delicate one and should not be debated in Parliament, there is a minority feeling that the time is overdue for some authoritative statement to be made.

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

7. Shooting of air force prisoners

Mr. Eden's statement that the prisoners were murdered caused horror, and hatred of the Germans has hardened. Some suggest retaliatory measures on German prisoners now; the majority are prepared to wait till the criminals are caught.

The deed is looked on as “sheer butchery”; the public has noted the round number of fifty, that there were no wounded and no bodies - only ashes, and that the recaptured prisoners were unarmed. Some think that those who were shot were first tortured.

In the London Region some relatives of prisoners of war are anxious about their men, despite the statement that this is an isolated incident.

(1. 2. 3. 5. 7. 8. 9. 11. 12. 13)

8. Far East

There has been an increase in interest in the Far Eastern war this week, as a result of the news of the American naval battle in the Pacific. The result has given much satisfaction, though there is slight disappointment because the Japanese “bolted and wouldn't take it”. There is also some doubt of the American account and figures of aircraft shot down.

The bombing of Tokyo continues to give satisfaction, and more is hoped for.

The situation in Burma is regarded as satisfactory, though it is said still to be a mystery to most people.

There is a desire for more news of the Far Eastern fighting, and for an improvement in the maps published.

Prisoners of war (Three Regions): The lack of news continues to arouse anxiety among relatives. It is suggested that regular broadcasts to relatives might offset the fear that the Government has forgotten the prisoners.

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

9. Mr. Lyttelton's remarks about America and Japan

The general view appears to be that, although Mr. Lyttelton admittedly “dropped a brick”, it was ridiculous for the American press to make such a fuss. It is thought the cause may be “Presidential Election Nerves”; and it is hoped the American papers will not go on trying to create unnecessary bad blood.

(2. 5. 6. 9. 10. 12. 13)

10. Broadcasting and presentation of news

There is little comment apart from that on news of the invasion and the pilotless plane.

B.B.C. programmes : There is again criticism of too much jazz (Two Regions). More light music is asked for.

Praise for the Brains Trust and broadcasts of the Proms (Two Regions each).

(2. 4. 6. 7. 9. 10. 12)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

BRIEF WEEKLY SUMMARY

11. The Government White Paper on Employment Policy

Discussion of the White Paper remains limited, and people do not go into detail. The Government's declared intention to maintain a high level of employment is appreciated. People hope slumps will be prevented, but remain fearful. “If it is so easy, why didn't they cure the 1931 slump?”

Mr. Bevin's speech in the House of Commons (June 21) has aroused favourable comment - also on a limited scale only (Three Regions).

In Northern Ireland, there is some hope that it may be treated as a development area.

(2. 6. 8. 12. 13)

12. Holidays

People are doubtful about how bad holiday transport is going to be, and again ask for a Government lead in the matter. Many are planning to get away if they possibly can, and accommodation is now said to be almost unobtainable. People hope that the ban on some of the restricted areas will soon be lifted.

Holidays at home remain of limited popularity, especially as people find difficulty in travelling to local events.

Workers hope that adequate travelling facilities will be provided for local wakes weeks, to enable those who have booked rooms to be sure of reaching them. They feel they have earned a holiday in better air.

(2. 3. 7. 10. 11. 12)

13. Food

Fruit and tomatoes . People are longing for fruit, and shortage is complained of (Six Regions), especially of gooseberries and strawberries. There is said to be much queuing for them (Four Regions), and for tomatoes (Two Regions); unfair distribution is alleged (Four Regions). Under-the-counter and conditional sales are also reported (Three Regions), and it is said that as soon as the price of fruit comes down, bringing it within reach of the less well-off, the fruit disappears entirely.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 7. 8. 9. 10. 12)

III. PERIODICAL REVIEW

14. Salute the Soldier

During the past four weeks interest in Salute the Soldier weeks and satisfaction with successes have continued; in some cases interest is thought to have been much stimulated by the invasion. However, enthusiasm is again said to be on the wane (Five Regions).

The following criticisms have also continued:

Publicity and advertisements are praised (Five Regions), particularly the posters (Four Regions).

(1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10. 12)

15. Youth and morals

During the past four weeks comment has differed little in either tenor or volume from last month's. However, complaints of sexual immorality among young girls, mainly with U.S. troops, have decreased (Seven Regions as against ten last month). There is a slight increase in comment about infidelity among women whose husbands are overseas (Five Regions as against four last month). Reports of hooliganism among children and adolescents, of juvenile delinquency, and of heavy drinking among women and young people continue.

Factors blamed and remedies suggested are almost unchanged since last month.

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