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SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence - No. 50
Copy No. 29

(From Wednesday 10th September to Wednesday 17th September, 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.

523 524 2 525 3 526 4 527 5 530 8 531 9

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Home Intelligence Weekly Report No. 50
Copy No.

17th September 1941

(covering the period from 8th to 15th September 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 factors making for greater cheerfulness are stronger and more numerous than they were last week: so, too, are the factors making for a lowering of confidence. On balance, the mass of public feeling appears to have remained on much the same level of optimism, and among a large proportion of people a high degree of complacency is again alleged. On a sample of nine thousand letters, Postal Censorship reports: “The apathetic attitude to public affairs, which has been noticeable in mail read during the last few weeks, has, if anything, been more obvious during the last week. Apart from some rather vague commendations of Russia's effort, and a corresponding gratitude for our own immunity from serious raiding as a consequence, there is almost no comment worthy of attention”.

Among factors making for cheerfulness are:-

(a) Mr. Churchill's Parliamentary statement. This was widely said to be “his most optimistic yet” - a comment often strengthened by others to the effect that he is “not given to slurring over unpleasant facts”. His disclosures about the recent improvement of our position in the Atlantic, although coupled with a warning, were considered very heartening. The news that we had dispatched fighter planes to Russia was welcomed with unanimous approval.

(b) President Roosevelt's broadcast . The declaration of America's “shoot-at-sight” policy came with a greater shock of pleasure because the postponement of the speech had reduced the expectation of its importance. “Just another lot of U.S. hot air” was a general forecast. The speech gave “very great satisfaction”, amounting in some quarters to the belief that it “brought America into the war without the formality of a declaration”. Among ill-informed people there was - as always when a speech by Mr. Roosevelt is announced - some expectation that he would declare war, and there was corresponding disappointment when this hope did not materialise. But from several parts of the country come reports that there is now a more general understanding “of Mr. Roosevelt's difficulty in marshalling American public opinion” than there was some weeks ago, and also a better appreciation of “his skill in refusing to play Hitler's game by declaring war, and so exposing the Western flank to Japanese aggression”. Nevertheless, the likelihood of America's entry into the war seems to be viewed more cautiously at the present moment than it was a few months ago. In the most recent British Institute of Public Opinion Survey (carried out in the week ending August 30th, on a sample of over 2,000), the question was asked:

“Do you think America will come into the war?” The same question was asked in June 1941. The results of both enquiries are given below:-

It will be seen that there has been a 15% decline in the number of persons who believe America will enter the war. The decline was equally marked in all economic and age groups.

Those who thought America would come in were asked: “If so, when?”

Result :

With a view to assessing the level of confidence in present American help, the following was asked (also in the week ending August 30th):

“Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the amount of help the United States is giving Britain?”

Result :

Spontaneous comments on this question fell into the following groups:-

Other factors which increased public optimism during the week were:

(c) The Spitzbergen expedition. This was generally approved “as an example of our growing enterprise”, and much pleasure has been expressed that “once again we got there first”; but a certain disappointment is evident that it has turned out to be “a minor affair, after such a fanfare of trumpets in the Press”. In Scotland there has been “unfavourable comment on the destruction of so much coal when we ourselves are so short”.

(d) The approach of autumn, with Russia still resisting fiercely. It is said that more and more “the Russian struggle is regarded as a battle against time, winter having assumed the guise of another Ally, to save Russia and mitigate the danger of concentrated attacks by land or air on this country”.

(e) Comparative freedom from raids in this country, and the news of our intensified air attack on Berlin and Italy, although the extent of our losses in the latest and greatest Berlin raid is said to have “given pause” to some of the strongest advocates of an all-out policy for the R.A.F.

(f) Evidence that we and the Russians are taking a strong line in Persia. “Some fears had been entertained that our diplomacy lacked a Teutonic firmness”.

(g) The marked improvement in our food position, and the reassuring statements of Lord Woolton and others as to future prospects on the Home Front.

(h) Our submarine successes in the Mediterranean.

Against these must be placed the factors tending to lessen confidence:-

Minor points of dissatisfaction include “uncomfortable comment” on the fact that “so shortly after the Atlantic Charter we have forbidden a general election in India for a period of one year following the conclusion of the war”; and also the need for us to promise America that materials received under the lease-lend agreement should not be used in competition with America. This suggestion of trans-Atlantic friction is said to have “come as a shock to many people”.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 20 Bristol P.C., 21, 28)

2. Air Raids .

In view of the possibility of a resumption of heavy air attacks on this country in the winter, it has been suggested that the raids on Moscow should not always be described by press and radio as “unsuccessful”, with the additional information that “only one or two machines penetrated the defences”. It is pointed out that “our people will stand raids again if they have to, but not so well if they believe that others are protected by secret devices which ought to be protecting them”. Faith in Moscow's possession of “secret defences” - something more efficient than our radiolocation - has remained undimmed until now by all explanations of the difference in the size of Moscow and London. But while the expectation of raids still remains at the back of almost everyone's mind, there appears to be very little discussion of personal apprehensions.

Shortening days do not seem to have brought the probability of night attacks very prominently into the public mind, and black-out arrangements are still said to be “very slack” in many districts.

The demand for us to “Bomb Italy” continues to be heard almost as often as the phrase “Bomb Berlin”. It has been noted that accounts of R.A.F. raids on the Ruhr or elsewhere in industrial Germany give nothing like the satisfaction felt at the news of an attack on the capital.

(5, 7, 8, 10, 11)

3. Invasion .

It is noted “with interest” that no mention of invasion was made in Mr. Churchill's recent speech; there is now “a tendency to regard official warnings of invasion as propaganda put out to keep the Services and Civil Defence workers on their toes”.

(5, 7)

4. Encouragement to war workers .

Factory workers in many places are said to be heartily tired of speeches exhorting them to increase their output. It is suggested that news such as that of our sending supplies to Russia “will have far greater effect in rousing this country to effort”, than all the addresses delivered by Ministers. In one district it is said that parts of a large gun being taken through the streets, with “Hitler's Headache” chalked on the barrel, “had far more effect on workers coming out of the factory than any number of ‘pep’ talks”.

(3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20 Cardiff P.C.)

5. Rumours .

No special trend is discernible in the rumours reported this week.

Devonshire and Cornwall have been heartened by a rumour that German aircraft were turned back in very large numbers on the night of September 6th - 7th.

Lord Halifax is mentioned as being influential in upholding a lenient policy over raids on Italy.

A rumour that “the care of dependants of R.A.F. men killed on active service is left to private charity through the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund” is causing anxiety both in the Air Force and to the public.

“A good deal of gossip” about convoy movement is reported from Hull and Newcastle, where dock workers are “often heard saying - ‘The convoy is off tomorrow - I hope we don't get blitzed tonight’”.

Eighty W.R.N.S. are supposed to have been lost “when seven out of a convoy of twenty ships were sunk in the Atlantic a few weeks ago”.

Other rumours are:-

That the English Mission is not going to leave for Russia for a month.

That most of the Polish troops which used to be stationed in Scotland have been sent to fight in Russia.

That when the Prime Minister went to see President Roosevelt he took Hess with him. “It was in the early edition of the Daily Herald one day that week, but before the papers were sent out they were all confiscated. That is why so many people did not get their Herald that day”.

That “our gangsters” are very well paid to go over to France every night, with hand-grenades and revolvers. “The French help them to kill officers and free prisoners. They leave when our bombers go over: that's the signal for them to go back”.

That bad weather is responsible for a 40% loss of the harvest in Sussex.

(5, 7, 12, 23)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS .

6. Industry .

“The almost quarterly ‘splashing’ of peak production of tanks, etc.,” is said to be puzzling many people, who ask: “Why are we so short of equipment? It is sixteen months since Dunkirk, and American supplies have been coming through for a considerable time”.

Although there are fewer allegations of slackness and idling in war factories, dissatisfaction is still reported among some workers who “would welcome an investigation into the whole question of production by a competent tribunal”. Delays are attributed to “mismanagement, lack of organisation, poor co-ordination and general inefficiency of administration”.

There continues to be “strong feeling that the system of paying a percentage on the employer's outlay is encouraging the employment of more workers than can be usefully employed”. According to one Postal Censorship Unit; “The most disturbing feature in letters dealing with labour is the comparatively frequent references to deliberate slackness, sometimes on the part of labourers who find idleness condoned, sometimes incited by their superiors.....A high proportion of these allegations (roughly 60%) come from Wimpey's Works at Corsham. Wages appear to be very high; one workman says he can save in a week as much as, in Ireland, he would earn in a month”.

(8, 15, 20 Bristol P.C., 28)

7. Income Tax and Wages .

There still appears to be considerable doubt about the Government's intention to pay back compulsory savings at the end of the war, and the need is stressed for “an emphatic statement” on the subject,

The demand also continues for a simpler and clearer explanation of the method of collecting income tax, to those paying it for the first time; income tax forms are unfavourably compared with the “excellent publicity put forward by the Savings movement”.

Income Tax demands are said to be focusing interest on the high earnings of semi-skilled munition workers: the need for the “standardisation of pay for civilians and men and women in the Forces is now more frequently heard and often arises out of talk about income tax”. “Equality of rates of pay” is described as a “necessary preliminary towards equality of sacrifice”. Growing resentment is reported over the high wages paid to youths, one case being mentioned of a “boy of 23, grumbling because he received only £11 in one week, because of short time”.

(1, 5, 17, 16)

8. Registration of women .

There is continuous and “widespread criticism of the Government's whole method of handling woman-power”. “Women, employers and even officials” are all said to be uncertain of the Government's powers of compulsion, and there are allegations of girls being “bullied into joining the Services or going into munitions”. Yet “everyone seems to know of young women who have been registered for a long period and are still waiting to be called up”.

The demand for “more rapid calling up of women on the conscription basis seems to be increasing”; censure of the Government on this point indicates anxiety about the Russian situation, and the desire that people in this country should do more to help. The male view is said to be “tending more and more towards conscripting single women and childless married women”. Although servicemen in some cases are reported not to like the idea of their wives going to work, many soldiers' wives are said to favour conscription as they are anxious to earn more money, and would be willing to enter war industry if provision could be made for their children while they were at work.

There is quite a strong feeling that the age for registration should be raised to include older women who could be usefully employed. There is also a growing amount of comment on the subject of girls and “idle women who seem to waste their time, particularly in reception areas, shopping or lounging about hotels”; a certain amount of class feeling seems to be generated by this topic.

There is a growing demand for equality with men in the matter of pay and compensation for women in industry. “If a woman can do a man's job, she should receive a man's wage” is a typical comment. Also: “Why should women still be regarded as cheap labour?”. This feeling is shared by the men themselves, who are said to be “afraid of competition” and to “dislike the infiltration of women into the factories under the trainee system”. There are reports of men above military age being dismissed to make way for women.

The Government is also criticised for “failure to formulate any policy regarding part-time work on a voluntary basis in war factories”; there are said to be “many married women who are willing to give their services three or four hours a day”. It is suggested that there is a need here for some explanation of the Trades Unions' point of view.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 28)

9. Food

The food situation is generally reported to be “much easier this week”, and there has been “widespread appreciation of the improvement in supplies”. It is considered “remarkable that in the third year of war we should not be going short of essential commodities”, and it is felt that “the Press is becoming unreasonable in its constant criticism of the Ministry of Food, and should have changed its tune some weeks ago”.

There is “strong approval” for Lord Woolton's proposal to give “orange priority” to children under 6; there is also more praise for Communal Feeding Centres.

There is still much criticism of the egg scheme - less of the principle, than of the way it is carried out. In the North Midland Region “reports everywhere indicate that producers still have to wait three weeks before their eggs are collected”. The milk scheme has now died down as a subject of comment. It is now regarded as “a kite flown to see how the public would receive the idea”, and “as having, in consequence, collapsed”.

There has been some grumbling over the high price of fruit, and particularly of windfall apples (not normally marketable) now being sold at 8d a pound. The high price of sweets and the scarcity of breakfast cereals are also criticised.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

10. Civil Defence

Except in the North Eastern Region, where it is described as “causing a great deal of comment”, the Compulsory Fire-Watching Order does not seem to have aroused much interest. There is said to be a widespread impression in the Eastern Region that it applies to the whole country, town and rural areas alike.

There is some criticism of the change of badge from A.R.P. to C.D., on the ground that there is “affection for a badge which represents so much camaraderie and public spirit welded in the tests of air raids”; there are also complaints that the issue of a new badge constitutes a “waste of time, money and metal”.

(2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12)

11. Public reaction to the captured German films .

Opinions received about the first batch of films reveal “almost unanimous disappointment”, and a feeling of having been “let down”, by the advance publicity. Frequent remarks were: “Another opportunity missed”, and: “It might have been taken at manoeuvres”.

The second batch of films, however, “seems to have impressed people considerably more”, and was “welcomed with the most out-standing volume of unanimous praise”. All the same, it elicited such comments as “horrible” and “beastly”, and there are reports of people “being unable to sleep all night after it”. Although various aspects of the editing and presentation produced contradictory reactions it is “generally described as the best single piece of propaganda up to date, in bringing home to the civilian population the ferocity and efficiency of the enemy forces, and in spurring it on to exert itself to produce the armaments of war. No other propaganda is felt to have so far achieved this before”.

(2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13)

12. The paraffin shortage in rural areas .

“Throughout the summer comment has grown increasingly critical in rural areas concerning the distribution of the reduced supplies of paraffin and, with the approach of winter, it is assuming considerable proportions”. This statement comes from a report by the R.I.O., Eastern Region, where special enquiry into the paraffin shortage has recently been made. (This shortage has been referred to several times in our reports during the last few weeks.) The R.I.O. pointed out that in May 1941 a cut was made in the distributors' supplies, with the result that they now get only 90% of the amount received in the corresponding month of the previous year. In some areas, however, there has been an influx of evacuees since September 1941, which has almost doubled the rural population, so that regular customers are receiving little more than 50% of their earlier purchases. Hardships are alleged, as a result, among (1) evacuees, who have no basis for making a claim, as they made no purchases in the previous year, and (2) dwellers in remote homes who have only this one fuel for cooking, warmth and hot water. This hardship is particularly aggravated at a time when coal is difficult to get in sufficient quantities to store for the winter. It is hoped that some form of paraffin rationing may be devised, and that it will be made not only on a peace-time basis but on “a household's position in regard to alternative sources of power”.

(14 Eastern Region)

13. Wireless valves and batteries

Great concern is expressed about the shortage of wireless spare parts. Several R.I.Os report serious shortages; in the North Midland Region alone representations on this subject have been received from 12 Information Committees, some of them from large towns such as Coventry, Rugby and Nuneaton. In country districts “whole communities” are reported to be unable to receive wireless programmes, and stretches of the North and West coast of Scotland are said to be almost without wireless. This also applies to the island of Lewis, in some parts of which news-papers arrive a week late.

Fears are expressed of the danger to morale if people are deprived of the services of the B.B.C.

(2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14 Scotland, 20 Manchester P.C., 32)

14. Clothes Rationing .

There are still reports from several regions of ignorance and confusion about the clothes rationing scheme. “It is suggested that the Board of Trade might issue, and distribute to householders through the G.P.O., an explanatory leaflet”, containing, inter alia, details of special facilities available for babies, growing children, expectant mothers, etc. Huddersfield Chamber of Commerce declares that the amendments and exceptions to the scheme “are getting past all understanding”. The arrangements for rationing baby clothes “are regarded as unsatisfactory - coupons are not granted to the mother in sufficiently good time before the baby's birth”, and fifty coupons are inadequate “if one whole coupon is required for a Terry towelling square”.

In some areas there is trouble over lost food ration books, “as no forms are available on which to make declarations before J.P.s”.

(2, 4, 5, 12)

15. Constant Complaints .

Inequality of sacrifice in the billeting of evacuees is still reported. “Working-class homes are called upon for accommodation, while large houses with few occupants are passed over”.

Clothes rationing is said to favour the wealthy classes.

Late workers and Civil Defence personnel complain of inadequate transport, and there is still adverse comment on the apparent waste of petrol on pleasure trips or short journeys.

Extra rations, particularly of meat, are still asked for by heavy workers.

Other causes of complaint are: Service dependants' allowances, shopping difficulties of women workers, non-collection of salvage, queues, the high price (and shortage) of domestic utensils - “a colander which cost sixpence before the war is now 8/-” - and shortages of cereals, eggs, cooking fats, fruit, fuel, tobacco, matches and beer; the lack of day nurseries is another recurrent grievance.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 23)

532

REFERENCES