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FINAL WEEKLY REPORT

No. 221. 29th December, 1944

(Covering period from 19th to 27th December, 1944)

I. GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General

Spirits have continued to fall, in some cases considerably. This is said to be mainly due to Rundstedt's offensive and the situation in Greece - though Mr. Churchill's presence in Athens has given some hope of a solution. Other dispiriting factors have once more been the housing and employment situations, and the prospect that the war may not be over for a long time - even by next Christmas. Flying bomb attacks have come as an unpleasant shock in areas hitherto immune.

Christmas has given some pleasure, rest and relief, but has been accompanied by widespread and bitter complaint about the price, poor quality and scarcity of toys and gifts, and much grumbling over unequal food distribution.

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

2. Western front

Shock and surprise continue at the success of the German counteroffensive. There has been considerable anxiety, as well as depression that the war must now last much longer than had been expected. The better news towards the weekend has, however, reassured some people.

People cannot understand how we could have been taken so much by surprise. They wonder whether our Intelligence was at fault and we misjudged German resources of men and material, or if something went wrong with our plans.

Some, however, have not been seriously perturbed by the offensive, thinking it to be Germany's last bid, and that by making it she has given us an opportunity to smash her completely and to finish the war west of the Rhine.

There is some comment - and some relief - that the breakthrough took place in a sector held by the Americans. A few fear their inexperience may have been responsible for their failure to hold the attack. Some think “it may do good, by making the American people see the war in a different light”.

The air offensive : Satisfaction continues, but there is some surprise that our air superiority and the weight of our attacks have not made the launching of a German counteroffensive impossible.

A few express concern at the reappearance of the Luftwaffe on the Western front.

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

3. Greece

Everyone hopes that the Prime Minister's visit may help to solve the problems. The presence of the Prime Minister and Mr. Eden in Greece came as a complete surprise, and people greatly admire Mr. Churchill's energy, determination and unselfishness: “You have to hand it to him for going off suddenly at Christmas”. At the same time many are anxious about his health and safety.

Otherwise, discussion continues on familiar lines, with widespread concern about the whole situation in Greece and the use and loss of British troops there.

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

4. V bomb attacks

Comment mainly refers to the attacks during the twenty-four hours ending at dawn on December 24, and are as follows:

Northern Region : “People could not believe their ears when they heard the sirens”, their first thought being that it was one of our own planes in distress or a reconnaissance plane. There appears to be no fright, alarm or despondency and people seem to have taken the official announcement quietly, but the fact that flying bombs can reach the North has acted as “a bit of a jolt” and there is some apprehension about further attacks. The greatest concern is felt for the safety of children in places where shelters have been given up.

Rumours as to the places in the Northern Region where bombs have fallen are many and varied.

North Eastern Region : The arrival of flying bombs in the North was a rude shock to complacency. People had got the impression that, so far as they were concerned, the danger of air attack was over. There is some criticism of the cutting down of Civil Defence services and of the fact that, on the sounding of the siren, wardens, fireguards and other services were slow in getting on the job.

There are many and widely varying rumours about the number of bombs and casualtities. Manchester is thought to be the place most seriously affected.

North Midland Region : The weekend alerts and the announcement that Northern England is now in the target area have increased discussion and rumours about V weapons and the damage and casualties caused.

London and South Eastern District : Familiar reactions continue.

Southern Region : The recrudescence of bombing attacks in the North as well as the South has shaken the complacent attitude of many people and has greatly increased the feeling that the war is far from finished.

Midland Region : There are many rumours about the raids in the North, mostly about places where bombs are thought to have dropped; one rumour is to the effect that “one dropped every two minutes for half-an-hour”.

North Western Region : The explosions and the alert came as a great shock to many people, and some resentment has been expressed that the Civil Defence services and the Home Guard should have been “stood down” while there was still some likelihood of this type of incident. At the same time, where bombs have dropped it is reported that all past and present members of C.D. services turned out readily to give their assistance. There was some comment on the fact that the first explosion was heard before the siren, as it was felt that after the bomb had traversed so much land, there should have been plenty of warning. It is rumoured in this connection that people in Sheffield heard the bombs launched from the plane. The incident only disturbed Christmas festivities to the extent that many people preferred to stay in their own homes for their entertainment.

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

5. Far East

Some satisfaction with progress is reported, but this week there is little general interest.

Burma (Eight Regions): Comment mainly concerns the conditions under which our men are fighting. Lord Munster's report, and the steps being taken to implement it, are welcomed. People are full of praise and sympathy for the men and appreciate the improved news service. In the Northern Region, however, it is reported that “letters from men themselves show, despite denials, that they do in fact consider themselves forgotten”.

Japan and the Pacific (Six Regions): There is continued satisfaction with the bombing of Japanese towns, progress in the Philippines, and the sinking of Japanese ships.

China (Three Regions): Some relief over the apparent improvement in the military position, but also the feeling that China is sacrificing her war effort for political ends.

Prisoners of war in Japanese hands (Two Regions): Anxiety continues; relatives are eagerly awaiting the promised cables.

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

6. Russia

Military : People are well pleased at Russian progress on the Budapest front, but continue to wonder about the lull in East Prussia. Some suspect that the Russians are deliberately delaying a smashing blow on the Polish front, in the hope that continued German occupation will make the Poles more amenable.

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

6a. Russo-Polish relations

The Prime Minister's speech is again commented on as emphasising the seriousness of the situation. This week, majority opinion appears to support the Government view that Russia should take over the country up to the Curzon line, some adding that, whatever anyone says, Russia will have her own way. A few are fearful lest we end up by fighting the Poles.

(1. 5. 7. 8. 9. 12)

7. Italy

Hardly any comment. Progress is thought slow, but not unreasonably so in view of the difficulties to be contended with. A little pleasure greeted the capture of Faenza.

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

8. German prisoners of war in Northern Ireland

The news that large numbers of German prisoners are being sent to camps in Northern Ireland is said to have caused a good deal of criticism there. Although the camps are in the northern part of the Region, people still fear that many prisoners will escape and seek sanctuary in Eire.

(13)

9. News presentation

This week there is again increased criticism, particularly of over-optimistic and misleading statements... “The war has been reported through rose-coloured spectacles”.

War Commentaries and War Reports continue to be praised.

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

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

FULL WEEKLY REVIEW

10. Housing - present and postwar

Comment remains unchanged. There are bitter complaints of the present shortage and high price of accommodation, and widespread anxiety about the future. Again this week there are references to “the Portal fiasco causing a great slump of confidence among the thousands who had hoped for this kind of temporary accommodation”; the public is said to be growing “more and more restless on account of Government delay”.

See also Constant Topics No. 2.

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

11. Industry - present and postwar

Workers continue anxious about redundancy in war factories, with consequent dismissals and transfers. They fear unemployment now, and a return to mass unemployment after the war.

It is also felt that present wage reductions do not encourage hopes for the future. According to the report from the Northern Region, engineering workers are particularly sceptical about getting a square deal after the war. “More and more firms are joining in a wage-cutting wangle under the cloak of redundancy - recognised as a new name for unemployment. Workers say, ‘We well remember the savage reductions we suffered after the last war and we are getting ready for the fight; we won't readily surrender any progress we have made during this war’.”

See Constant Topics, No. 5.

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

11a. Call-up

The new call-up “at this stage of the war” has surprised people. Many younger men in industry are somewhat bitter - particularly those who were not allowed to leave their essential jobs earlier on when they wanted to join those armed forces.

(2. 6. 10. 11)

12. Food and shopping difficulties

Comment has been mainly about the bad distribution or non-appearance of turkeys, nuts and oranges. Those who succeeded in getting Christmas extras rejoice.

Turkeys (Seven Regions): In addition to the shortage, a black market in turkeys and their high price are the subject of complaints.

Nuts (Six Regions): It is thought they should have been fairly distributed on ration books.

Under-the-counter sales (Four Regions): There has been a revival of complaints about under-the-counter sales.

See also Constant Topics Nos. 8. 11.

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

13. Toys

The high price, poor quality and shortage of toys have continued the subject of much bitter comment.

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

14. Clothing

Complaints have again been on familiar lines; the chief topics being the inadequacy of the coupon allowance and the poor quality, shortage and high price of footwear - particularly children's.

See also Constant Topics Nos. 1. 4. 9.

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

15. Transport and the dim-out

Transport complaints continue on familiar lines. While improved services in general are wanted, there is a particular wish for later evening bus services where these have not been introduced.

Preliminary reports suggest that motorists are overjoyed at the new order which permits the use of unmasked lamps on cars.

See also Constant Topics, Nos. 3. 10.

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

16. Domestic fuel

People continue anxious about the shortage, uncertain deliveries, poor quality and high cost of coal.

Reference is also made to a shortage of coke. In Scarborough, coke consumers are very concerned at a story that coke has been delivered to local premises requisitioned by the Services but empty for weeks.

See also Constant Topics, No. 6.

(1. 5. 7. 9. 10. 11. 12)

16a. Mining

There is less comment this week, the two points most discussed being:

(1. 3. 5. 9. 12)

17. Health

Little comment. War weariness and strain - said to be increasing in Scotland - continue to be reported (Six Regions). There is also minority complaint of colds and other small ailments.

See also Constant Topics, No. 7.

(3. 5. 7. 9. 10. 11. 12)

18. Service leave

Pleasure continues over the leave arrangements for men serving overseas. There is, however, some fear that the German breakthrough in Belgium will cancel leave arrangements for our men on the western front.

(7. 9. 10)

19. Agriculture

Very little comment - but some anxiety continues about:

(1. 3. 9)

III. PERIODICAL REVIEWS

20. Education

During the past three weeks there has again been some discussion of:

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

21. Service pensions and allowances

During the past three weeks comment has been limited; it has been about:

(1. 3. 5. 8. 12)

IV. WEEKLY SUMMARY OF CONSTANT TOPICS

(Covering period from 19th to 27th December, 1944).

No subject has been included to which fewer than four references have been made during the past week.