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SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence - No. 44
Copy No. 32

(From Wednesday, 30th July to Wednesday, 6th August, 1941)

In reading this report, it is important to bear in mind that it is not meant to be a record of facts , except in so far as public opinion is itself a fact. It is a statement and reflection of the public's views and feelings about the war in general. Therefore, in matters on which public opinion is ill-informed, prejudiced or inconsistent, the report does not imply any endorsement of the views which are expressed in it.

592 597 6 599 8

HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT

No. 44 - July 31st to August 6th, 1941 .

Note : The figures in brackets refer to sources of information, a list of which is given at the end of this report.

I. GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

The balance of public feeling appears to be unchanged, and optimism in regard to the Russo-German conflict remains unaltered. At the same time, our situation vis-à-vis Japan has introduced in some quarters a more sober note of speculation than was noticeable last week. Her actions in Indo-China seem now to have brought her rather more vividly into the minds of most people. Great satisfaction has been expressed in many reports at the firm attitude taken by Britain and America, and it is a common belief that Japan's entry into the war would automatically bring in America too. The tone of most comments on this possibility is - “The sooner the better.” There appear to be no doubts about the ability of the U.S. to deal effectively with Japan in the Pacific. Apprehension appears to be divided between a belief that if Japan attacks Russia, our ally's difficulties will be greatly increased, and a fear that if America is forced to take up arms, our war supplies from the U.S. will consequently be cut down.

There is now “a belief that Russia's successful resistance is due to a deep-laid plan, long conceived”, and that having held out for more than six weeks, she will now be able to fight on till September. (This six weeks period seems to have been arbitrarily chosen by the public as a second crucial testing time after the first three weeks were safely over). The idea is widespread that “if September is reached with Russia still on her feet, all will be well.” Comparisons, unfavourable to us, continue to be made between our own propaganda and that of Russia. Particular approval is still expressed of the personal message broadcast to the wife of a German soldier killed at the front.

With confidence in Russia's strength maintained there has also been noted a lessening of the scepticism which greeted Russian communiqués at the beginning of hostilities. It has been pointed out, however, that “if Russian news had not been ridiculed at the time of the Finnish campaign, it might have been better received to-day.”

Factors which have tended to increase public confidence during the past week include:

Factors tending to lessen public confidence during the past week have been:

A belief that “we have much to learn from Russia in military strategy”, appears to be growing; and so does dissatisfaction about discrepancies and contradictions in the statements of various Ministers. “Public confusion” is said to have resulted from the “difference between the optimism attributed to Lord Halifax, and the sterner realities indicated by Mr. Herbert Morrison”, the cheerful statements of Mr. Bevin about radiolocation, and the Prime Minister's recent warning of renewed raids.

There are still reports that “a dangerous degree of complacency” exists in many parts of the country. Expectations that the war will soon be over - “in September”, “this winter”, or at least “by next spring” - seem to be gaining new support. Various reasons are put forward for supposing that “the end is well in sight.” The most usual are that it is “thanks to Russia”, “thanks to America”, and occasionally, “thanks to air ascendancy.” It is said that “the reports of Udet's suicide, and of the disgrace and even replacement of Goering, which have appeared in the newspapers, have gained general credence, and have been taken as real indication of the beginning of a German collapse.”

2. Expectation of air raids

There are so many variations of opinion, and so many qualifying circumstances, in the public's attitude towards the prospect of raids, that it is impossible to generalise on the subject. Very few people seem to believe there will be no raids at all, though places like Oxford and Exeter, which have so far escaped, still expect to be immune. Many people, however, are said to anticipate a renewal of heavy bombing in industrial areas as soon as the nights begin to get longer. In London, where a good deal of wishful-thinking on the subject has been noted, official warnings are said to have been less effective than the raid on July 27th, in bringing home a realisation of what may be in store. Nevertheless, evacuees continue to return to target areas; the number of children who are being brought back is said to be causing “alarm and concern among the less complacent sections of the public.” In Belfast, though there is said to be an expectation of further raids, less than 2,000 people out of five thousand, registered for priority evacuation, have availed themselves of the opportunity to leave the city.

Opinion varies considerably as to the probable intensity of raids. Some two hundred Londoners in five different districts were asked their views on the subject. 70% thought there would again be heavy raids; 10% held the opposite view; and 20% were undecided. Other reports show varying expectation of their intensity. Reasons put forward to support the belief that they might be lighter include:

3. Parliamentary debate on Production

In spite of its luke-warm reception by the Press, the debate seems to have had a somewhat reassuring effect on the public. The Prime Minister's “emphatic denial of wholesale muddle has helped to restore a proper sense of proportion”, and is said to have “given great encouragement to factory workers.” There is a tendency, however, to regard his “masterly array of facts” as being intended primarily “for overseas consumption.” “A fear that we are not turning our industrial resources to the best advantage” is still reported, as are alleged instances of idleness in munition factories caused by shortages of materials, of which, however, the workers are given no explanation.

Mr. Bevin's “wages doctrine” has given rise to some criticism among “men of maturer age.” There are apprehensive speculations about “what will happen after the war to youths between 18 and 21, who are now on work of national importance and enjoying a fat basic wage, as well as overtime, for what is often little better than common labouring.”

4. Broadcasting

Following “Cassandra's” Postscript on P.G. Wodehouse (15th July 1941) a brief survey of opinion was carried out by Listener Research. From their panel of Honorary Local Correspondents, fifty-five of the most reliable were asked for their views. The report points out that: “Although because of its urgency the enquiry had to be confined to a small number of correspondents, the quality of their replies is very high. It can confidently be stated that had the number been very much greater, it is very doubtful if the results would have been materially different.”

Most of the correspondents emphasized that the Postscript was widely listened to, and that considerable spontaneous comment was forthcoming.

The general tenor of their reports was that the close-up predominant attitude towards the Postscript was one of approval, for which various reasons were stated or implied.

The Postscript has been commended because the use of Wodehouse by the Germans was regarded as an example of the most insidious form of propaganda - ostensibly innocent and harmless. It was held to be entirely salutary that a clear warning, by example, should be given to those who, whether through weakness, simplicity, or simple treachery, were inclined to help the enemy in any way.

Though there were few comments on the manner and delivery of the speaker, most of these were favourable.

Criticism of the matter of the broadcast was also small in volume. Moral objections emphasized that the full facts of the case could not be known; though, even if they were, and there were no moral objections against broadcasting them, “it was, nevertheless, inexpedient to draw too much attention to enemy broadcasts.”

Only a very few correspondents were inclined to condemn the broadcast on the grounds that it constituted a breach of good taste.

The report goes on to state: “Quite clearly, the majority of correspondents are, during war, concerned less with questions of good taste than with the effectiveness of propaganda as part of the war effort. And there is no reason to suppose that these correspondents are not representative of the general public in this respect.”

5. V Campaign

It is thought that in this country interest in the campaign has passed its zenith, although the notable response of the public (“taking it perhaps more seriously than it deserves”) suggests that inarticulate sections of the people have welcomed a simple sign by which they may express their feeling of national unity. It is to be noted also that there appears to be an increasing use of the V sign in commercial advertising. On the other hand, there is a good deal of annoyance at what is thought “the childishness of the whole thing over here” and impatience with people who will not realise that “the war is not to be won with chalk and tar.”

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 18, 20 Inverness P.C., 23, 34)

6. Rumour

For the next few weeks we are paying special attention to rumours. The number mentioned, therefore, should not be taken as an indication that rumours are actually more plentiful than usual. This week, the quantity is about normal.

From widely separated parts of the country, and with local variations, comes a story about a gipsy to whom a farmer showed kindness; she is said to have warned him to move his cattle from one field to another for no apparent reason. He did so, and the following night the field they had left was bombed. (Alternatively he derided the suggestion, and the cattle were killed.) Asked how she knew what would happen, the gipsy made some suitably occult reply, and added that the war would be over by a certain specific date (usually some time in October).

The belief that Hess is back in Germany is said to be spreading.

There are the usual exaggerations of casualties in recent raids, the figures for Hull, for instance, being given as “over 1,000.”

It is freely said that the Government will not honour its obligations after the war to repay National Savings Certificates and 3% Defence Bonds, should such payments prove to be too heavy.

Arrangements to stop mutual bombing are supposed to have been made between Germany and Britain, with both sides “keeping up occasional raids for the sake of appearances.”

Military raids on the Continent, on the Lofoten scale, are rumoured to be occurring everywhere, from the Baltic to the Mediterranean.

Almost all articles not yet rationed are mentioned as “next on the list.”

(2, 7, 8, 13, 23)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

7. Food

There have been fewer complaints about food; several R.I.Os reports do not mention the subject at all. There appears to be little uneasiness concerning the general food situation, and the large majority still feels that on the whole it is “getting a fair deal.” As the following comments indicate, it is rather on the “day-to-day difficulties of getting domestic supplies” that dissatisfaction continues.

1. Eggs : Although only three R.I.Os refer to eggs, they report criticism on familiar lines. In the South Western Region there are complaints that new-laid eggs are sent to other parts of the country, while imported eggs are provided in their place. In the Midland Region the volume of complaints during the last week is “as great as in any week since control began”, and the demand for cancellation of the scheme is said to be growing. When eggs are available in industrial districts, they are described as “often stale and frequently bad.”

2. Distribution : The allegation is still made that the distribution of un-rationed food does not make allowance for the large numbers of men in the Services who are stationed in various parts of the country. The “imposition of a shopping ban on troops, particularly in connection with confectionery, restaurants and eating-houses, and tobacco” is suggested.

3. Agricultural workers : There are more requests for additional food for harvesters; in some cases farm workers are said to be provided with “little more than bread and jam for their dinner baskets.” There is general welcome for the farmers' canteens which are to be opened in villages by the W.V.S. and Womens' Institutes during August and September.

4. Holiday catering : There is reported to be some difficulty in catering for “holiday-makers who, while not going out of the Region, visit holiday resorts near home for long week-ends.” This problem has been greatly aggravated by the Bank Holiday rush.

5. Milk : There have been complaints that shops may not turn sour milk into cheese, and that farmers who occasionally produce more milk than is required by their registered customers, may not distribute it: yet if they make it into butter, they may not sell it. A good deal of milk is said to be wasted in this way, and there are reports of “bitterness and sarcasm on the subject of Government schemes.”

6. Queues : Although in the Northern Region queues are said to be decreasing, the general situation appears to be unchanged; and some anxiety is expressed about the effect on health that may be expected when winter sets in. There is some evidence that people are becoming “queue-minded.” Besides the “oft-told story of shoppers who wait their turn without knowing what is for sale, and turn away from the counter without making purchases”, there are cases of “queues for tomatoes on one side of the road while shops on the other side have tomatoes and no queues.” Durham now has the prize for the earliest queue, starting at 6 a.m.

Tradespeople are thought to be much to blame in advertising certain times of day when various goods will be released; but in some cases shopkeepers complain that official broadcasts, stating that a certain commodity is to be released, sometimes even naming areas, naturally sends shoppers swarming hopefully to the shops.

On the whole the feeling seems to be that queues are “undesirable and dispensable”, and that the time has come to act in the matter; but, “although criticism is on the whole constructive, people appear to expect the solution to be found for them.”

Police action is generally welcomed, but at Kettering, where queues have been banned, “people now form themselves into groups and hang about in the vicinity of the shop and make a rush the moment it is opened.” The most widespread suggestion is that cards should be issued unofficially to regular customers by the individual retailers themselves. This experiment is actually being made by a Sunderland confectioner, who has issued priority cards to 660 of his regular customers, undertaking to supply each with 3/6d worth of cakes a week; unregistered customers are not supplied until after 2. 30. Since introducing this system he has had no more queues, though they are a daily occurrence at the other local confectioners. Shopping cards are particularly demanded as a solution to the factory workers' shopping problems, together with free shopping periods for people with domestic responsibilities.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 18, 23, 34)

8. Women in Industry

There have been fewer comments on this subject during the past week. Dealing with factors which are said to have an adverse effect on recruiting, one report mentions the following matters:

(1) Complaints of inefficient medical services in connection with Royal Ordnance and other war factories. An illness in which the skin turns green is reported in some places.

(2) Preference for home life. Rather than life in a hostel: (even at the cost of “weary hours spent travelling”).

(3) Maternal anxiety for the girls, and “greedy concern on the mothers' part for a continued participation in their daughters' earnings.”

(4) The prejudice in “better” social circles against factory girls. It is suggested that this “stigma”. might be removed by more flattering references in the press to “young ladies on war work.”

Feeling is again reported, in connection with appeals for more women to enter industry, that “the Government might well do more ordering and less asking.” It is thought that “the biggest number of slackers is to be found among the women of the 30-40 age group.”

(5, 6, 8)

9. Holidays

The evident lack of response to the Government's appeal not to travel during the August Bank Holiday, has led to a good deal of criticism of the Government's policy in this matter. The wisdom of relying solely upon exhortation is frequently questioned, especially by those who consider that “it must be known that appeals will be completely ignored.” The campaign for “Holidays at home” is described as having “developed into a broad farce.” Opinion seems to be divided on whether munition workers and the inhabitants of blitzed towns should take a sea-side holiday. Many reports suggest that “it is asking too much to expect people to spend their few moments of leisure in work-a-day surroundings, particularly in blitzed areas.” The railways are blamed for facilitating travel, by running extra trains, (particularly when the coal shortage is said to be so serious); and “in view of the fact that the holiday resorts are not receiving any extra food rations, it is futile to encourage the public to begin journeys which are bound to have an unsatisfactory conclusion.”

(1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 23)

10. Constant Complaints

(1) “The meagreness of Service pay and Separation Allowances, as compared with the wages of industrial workers remains, as always, a fertile point of discontent.”

(2) “The beer and cigarette shortage is the cause of more irritation and outspoken comment than the scarcity of more essential commodities.”

(3) On the question of coal, “dissatisfaction and disquiet are as marked as ever”, in some places. Restrictions on paraffin are said to be agitating the rural districts.

(4) The transport difficulties of workers. There are frequent stories of journeys which take one-and-a-half to two hours each way. Those in charge of loud-speaker vans, recruiting for a Lancashire Royal Ordnance factory, report that “inadequate transport is easily the biggest deterrent.”

(4, 6, 10, 34)

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REFERENCES