SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence - No. 27
Copy No. 32
(From Wednesday April 2nd to Wednesday, April 9th, 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 war in Africa
: Our successes in Eritrea and Abyssinia have not entirely counter-balanced the fall of Benghazi in the public mind. Though many people attributed its fall to inevitable withdrawals necessary if we were to help Greece and Yugo-Slavia, there are a considerable number who do not accept this explanation. They are unable to understand how the Germans were able to ship so much equipment to Libya, and some are saying that whenever we meet the Italians we advance, but whenever we meet the Germans we retreat. Confidence in General Wavell continues, and it is even rumoured that he wanted to go on to Tripoli but was not allowed to by the higher authorities. It is hoped that we shall soon be able to release troops from East Africa to “put matters right” in Libya.
Once again, the authorities, and in particular the Ministry of Information, are criticised for trying to minimise the unpleasant news. It is said that we proclaimed the importance of Benghazi when we captured it, but when we lost it, we treated it as of much less importance. This is described as “not quite frank”, an “attempt to wrap up our failures” etc. The B.B.C. is also criticised for saying that the German forces in Libya were small. Many people are inclined to regard anything but an unvarnished statement of bad news as a reflection on their ability to stand up to it.
Greece and Yugo-Slavia
: The German attack in the Balkans was at first regarded as a relief from the prolonged tension. While the resistance of Yugo-Slavia is thought to have been an unpleasant surprise for Hitler, it is anticipated that the Germans will rapidly over-run a large part of that country and also some part of Greece. Many people are reported to regard this “as a welcome opportunity for us to get to grips with the Nazis”. Some are asking whether our Army in Greece is adequately equipped, but anticipation of “another Dunkirk”, (mentioned in last week's report), seems to have declined. There are, as yet, no reports of reactions to the latest news; but it can be said that if a major disaster in Greece and Yugo-Slavia is to be anticipated, the majority of the public are quite unprepared for it.
Invasion fears
: These have declined still further, as it is thought that the Balkan campaign will “keep Hitler busy for a while”. The publicity campaign for voluntary coastal evacuation is regarded by the public “with scepticism”; it is said that if the Government was serious it would order compulsory evacuation, and provide billets for evacuees. There is rather more discussion on the subject of gas, but little expectation that gas attack is imminent, or that it will be used other than as a desperate measure. Many people are reported to be getting their gas-masks inspected at A.R.P. centres.
Night raids
: The announcement of the full casualties of the Clydeside raid has done much to dispel rumour and exaggeration. The main topics exercising Clydebank opinion appear to be billeting and travelling difficulties.
The night raids of Thursday and Friday on Bristol were met by a barrage which provoked much favourable comment and “a great increase in confidence”. It is believed that the new barrage caused many of the bombers to release their bombs over non-vulnerable areas. But there was “great resentment” at an article in the “Daily Mail” of April 7th, which described how Bristol had beaten the night bombers. This is regarded as a plain invitation to the enemy to return to the attack. An earlier raid was widely attributed to a similar newspaper article.
Belfast's first raid was relatively small. Civil Defence services, Rest Centres etc. worked efficiently, and the public are reported to be “in good heart”.
The nightly trek out of Birkenhead, Wallasey and other places is reported to be continuing.
B.B.C. News Bulletins
: This week there has been a renewal of the criticism of B.B.C. bulletins on the ground of “dreary repetition” and “staleness”. It is noticeable that this criticism occurs whenever there is tension over war events. It seems likely, therefore, that it is an indication of increasing listening to
several
bulletins daily, rather than anything in the actual bulletins themselves. At all events, reports stress that the repetition leads to irritation and resentment, and by some illogical process, to a disbelief in news, and it is suggested that a clearer line should be drawn in the bulletins between “new” news and news contained in the previous bulletin.
(1, 2, 4, 5x, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 24, 28).
2.
Reprisals
There is no change of feeling on this subject.
3.
Rumours
.
Rumours have been rather more numerous this week including a number of Haw Haw rumours, - but no unusual types have been reported.
4.
Sunday Theatres
.
The ban on Sunday Theatres has aroused comparatively little interest. It is generally regarded as a well-organised victory for the Sabbatarians, and possibly the brewing interests. Many people are disappointed and regard it as “unfair” in view of the fact that Sunday opening of cinemas is permitted. There is, however, no inclination to dispute the decision. Only in the rural area of South Wales is opinion “overwhelmingly in favour of the ban”.
There are some disapproving comments that so many M.P's failed to vote; they are being accused of apathy and even of being “lily-livered” over a vocal minority of their constituents.
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5x, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 34).
II
SPECIAL COMMENTS
5.
Food
There is little change in the food situation. The usual complaints are repeated. Hardships still appear to be more severe in the Midlands than elsewhere.
Trade
The shortage of cigarettes and tobacco is becoming a serious problem, particularly in the North, and in the Midlands. Supplies in the South are also said to be meagre compared with those available in London.
