60

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence - No. 39
Copy No. 32

(From Wednesday, June 25th to Wednesday, July 2nd, 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.

61 62 2 63 3 64 4 65 5

HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT .
No. 39 - June 25th to July 2nd, 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 greatest single influence upon public feeling during the past week has been the Russo-German campaign, the effects of which seem to have been to encourage cheerfulness and hope. Other factors which have sustained this mood have been those mentioned last week:- the day and night successes of the R.A.F., the continued absence of heavy raiding on this country, and the comparative lack of fresh ominous news.

Opinions on the war in Russia range from extreme reserve to complacent optimism. In most reports, however, there is a cautious and sometimes sceptical note. The quality of Russia's resistance up to date has, therefore, come as a pleasant relief.

The more thoughtful fear that if Russia is quickly defeated we shall receive “the full onslaught of an enemy flushed with victory, with greater resources behind him than he had before”, and that “our position in the Middle East will have been rendered well-nigh untenable”. At the other end of the scale is the feeling that “Germany is already beaten”. The majority compromise with the opinion that “at worst, the Russian campaign will have a weakening effect on Nazi resources, and if Russia holds out, the war will be shortened”. There is a great deal of confusion about Russia's potential strength. Before her pact with Germany, she was often described in the Press as ‘a Colossus’; at the time of the Russo-Finnish war she was represented as “being no match for a large and well-equipped power”; but now her armed might is again being played up. There is inevitably a desire for “much more interpretive material about the campaign, to assist ordinary people to follow events”.

Many people hope that we shall soon begin more active hostilities on the Western Front; some even advocate a direct attack on Holland. It is feared that “unless we can do something now, another golden opportunity will be lost”.

The Prime Minister's broadcast is thought to have given the public a rational approach to the political aspects of our collaboration with Russia. Doubts on this score seem to be “entirely submerged in a feeling of relief that we have another powerful democracy at our side”. At the same time, there is some apprehension about “the difficulties at any peace conference at which the British Empire and Russia may be allies”.

It is said to be the opinion of certain Trade Union leaders that Russia's entry into the war will have a remarkable effect on production, and that Communists are now expected to cease their “hindering manifestations”, and to turn their energies in a more helpful direction. On the other hand, there is a fear in some quarters that increased optimism may lead to a slackening off in the war effort. Lack of reliable news from the Russian front is apparently taken by many people as a sign that “the Russians are rather more than holding their own”. It is felt that we should “immediately stress the tremendous importance of maintaining a real two front war”.

Beneath the more or less cheerful tension caused by this latest development of the war, there is still evidence of some “depression, weariness, and even gloom”. This may be accounted for by some of the following factors:-

1. General anxiety about the future; not necessarily a doubt of victory, but anxiety over what we shall have to go through to achieve it, and also about what will be done after the war is won.

2. The feeling that, “Churchill excepted, we are being badly led”.

3. “Official muddles over transport, industry, factory management, agriculture, etc”.

4. Difficulties of obtaining food, tobacco and coal.

5. The need for holidays; indecision as to whether they are possible, or even permissible.

6. The lack of things on which to spend money.

7. “Too many rules and regulations”.

8. Shortage of supplies, causing lack of trade, the shutting of small shops etc.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 20 South Wales, Manchester P.C.s, 23, 34.)

2. Broadcasting and presentation of news

Criticism of news presentation is on the wane. This is said to be “because there is not much official news at present, rather than because people are satisfied with what they get”. Such complaints as there are, follow the familiar lines - “We can take bad news as long as we don't feel we are being misled”.

Mr. Churchill's broadcast on Russia was received with such warm approval that it is said to have “quelled a rising tide of criticism and doubt of the higher direction of the war”. “His use of the word ‘guttersnipe’ appealed to almost all classes”. Appeals by other Cabinet Ministers are said to “leave people cold”.

Quentin Reynolds' postscript aroused “exceptional interest and approval”: its “tonic effect” is described as remarkable, and people ask “why we cannot have more of this kind of thing”. A negligible minority is said to have found it “cringe-making”.

There is still approval for the Empire News Bulletins, and the American who broadcasts from Ankara is listened to by some people because he is believed to give first-hand information on the Near Eastern and Russian situation.

Belief in news among the Forces : An enquiry was made at the beginning of June by Listener Research into the attitude of the Forces towards presentation of news. This enquiry was on the same lines as that made into the civilian attitude to news presentation, the results of which were given in our Weekly Report No. 37 (11th to 18th June, 1941).

114 reports were received from Forces Correspondents (72 from the Army, 10 from the Navy, and 32 from the R.A.F.) The Forces Correspondents contributing these reports represent between them over 11,000 men.

The main interest of the enquiry lies in a comparison of the results received from Forces Correspondents with these received from Local Correspondents working among civilians. Both results are shown below. On the question of general confidence in the news, the results were as follows:-

Percentage of Correspondents who report that among these with them they come in contact:-

The enquiry took the following form. Twelve common criticisms of the news were listed. Correspondents were asked to indicate whether each statement represented the views of a majority, a minority, or none of the men with whom they come into contact. In addition, they were asked to sum up the attitude of their contacts by saying whether confidence in the news was decreasing, increasing or was unchanged.

A detailed analysis of the answers to these questions showed that the general conclusions to be drawn from the enquiry are:-

1. That men in the Services, like the general public, want news good or bad, and resent any attempt to make it as palatable as possible.

2. That there is widespread belief among the Forces, as there is among civilians, that in the speed of its operation there is something wrong with the machinery for giving news, though it is realised, at any rate among the more thoughtful listeners, that it is not the B.B.C. which must be held to account for this deficiency.

3. That there is not much criticism among the Forces of the way in which news bulletins are now arranged, though there is rather more feeling among the troops than among civilians that news bulletins contain too many trivial items.

4. The charges that announcers are open to criticism for letting their personal feeling colour their news reading receive little support among the troops. There is even less support for the view that news bulletins are not phrased simply enough.

5. That tardiness in the announcement of news acts as an encouragement to listening to enemy broadcasts, though there is no evidence of any widespread increase in this habit among the troops, or of any serious consequences of it.

6. That the view that the B.B.C. overseas news in English is better than the news bulletins in the Home Service is fairly widespread among the troops, as it is among civilians.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 20 Wales, Manchester P.C.s, 22, 25, 34)

3. R.A.F .

Jubilation is reported at the R.A.F.'s sustained offensive over Germany and enemy-occupied territory. In some quarters this is regarded as a “far more solid cause for satisfaction” than Russia's entry into the war. It is generally believed that “we are exploiting a great opportunity”, and there is satisfaction at our being able “not only to hold the Germans successfully, but to carry the campaign into their own country”. There is, however, a call for “more precise information as to the damage being inflicted”, and the hope is expressed that “we shall go right into the heart of Germany while she is still busy on her Eastern front”.

(2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13)

4. Syria .

Although interest in Syria has been diminished by events in Russia, the slowness of our advance is causing comment and anxiety; there is talk of “kid-glove methods”, and of our being “too easy-going”. It is suggested that, if General de Gaulle was right in saying that Vichy resistance was broken with the fall of Damascus, we must be showing undue gentleness in handling the enemy.

The resistance of the Vichy Forces intensifies dislike and contempt for the French, and there seems to be little attempt “to distinguish between Vichy and Frenchmen generally”. As a remedy for this, “the need for intensive propaganda is stressed”. Incidents have been reported recently in which Free French sailors were assaulted because they were thought to be Vichy French.

(1, 2, 6, 10, 13 North Eastern P.C.)

5. Radiolocation

The announcement of radiolocation has produced three reactions. The most marked is a fear that it may have helped the enemy. There is severe criticism that a secret invention should be revealed in such detail. It is even classed as “loose talk”. The more cautious are said not to be putting too much faith in the idea, having had “so many ‘let downs’ in the past”. There are reports that the announcement has produced “increased general confidence”, and the feeling that we have “got the bombers on the run”. The suggestion, apparently made by a newspaper, that people would “shortly be as safe in their beds as they now are in the daytime”, is said in some cases to be taken as an absolute fact. Cases are also reported of a decrease in fire watching as a result of the announcement.

(5, 9, 14 Northern Ireland, 20 Manchester P.C. 22)

6. Rumours and careless talk .

Soldiers returning from East Coast manoeuvres are reported by Northamptonshire canteen workers to be talking loudly of important schemes, and declaring that an attack on the Belgian coast is imminent. Rumours of an impending land attack on enemy-occupied territory is also mentioned by two R.I.O's.

(3, 4)

II SPECIAL COMMENTS

7. Food

Price control : The fact that price control seems to be “invariably followed by shortage” is the main grievance this week. It is reported from almost every district: the shortage of tomatoes has brought the matter into even greater prominence than usual. A report by the R.I.O. South Eastern Region is typical of many: “Greengrocers closed on the eve of tomato control price day with a good stock on their hands. At opening time on Monday, there was no sign of tomatoes in stock. Obviously they had not been destroyed, and were being sold over the controlled price to customers well-known to the shop-keepers”. In the North Midland Region, it is said that a firm of canners made a lightning tour and bought up all stocks. In the North Eastern region it is argued that price control “operates at present in favour of the south of England, as the northern crop is late. Southern growers do not find it an economic proposition to send tomatoes to the north at the present price”. It is feared that price control will affect fish in the same way: from mid-Wales come reports that “people there have already forgotten the taste of it”; and there is apprehension that “it will be the same with eggs soon”.

It is hoped that the Ministry of Food will “broadcast or publish an explanation of control and its consequences, and what is being done to ensure supplies to people at a distance from the source of origin”.

Jam : There is great satisfaction over the announcement of the new sugar concession to private jam-makers: the co-operative jam-making scheme for the Women's Institutes continues to be sharply criticised.

Illicit Trading : Although the evidence suggests that ‘black markets’ exist as much in imagination as in fact, (the public is showing a tendency to suspect them everywhere) illicit trading appears to be on the increase as more and more commodities come under control. It is believed that retailers are still reluctant to report offending wholesalers to the authorities for fear of having their supplies cut off in revenge. It is, therefore, uged that those who come forward with information should be guaranteed alternative sources of supply.

Concessions for lorry drivers : Drivers of heavy lorries are frequently away from home for several days at a time, and must depend for food on wayside cafes. It is said that the food served there is quite inadequate for the strenuous work they are doing. The staple diet seems to be sausages. Not only are these much below the pre-war standard, but the men are surfeited with sausages, and some complain that they cannot eat them any more. The only alternatives are tea and cakes, though of these there is often a shortage. Concessions are hoped for, so that these men “can get some kind of decent food”.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 18)

8. Industry .

Further criticism, “some very bitter”, has been received from several sources about the management of our war factories. It is again said that “men, keen to get on, are kept idling”; workmen in a Bristol aircraft plant have protested against this, and also against the alleged employment of skilled labour for the carrying out of simple jobs “which could be done far quicker by trucks”. On the other hand, there are 66 still complaints from managements that the workers themselves exploit the system of double pay on Sundays by working then and absenting themselves later. A widespread feeling that something is radically wrong with our war industry is said to be a grave and growing discouragement to the country's morale.

(3, 7, 9, 12, 34)

9. Clothes

No public reactions have yet been received to the revised list of coupon-charges published on Tuesday.

The smuggling of clothes across the border into Northern Ireland from Eire is now said to be “becoming quite an important local industry”.

It is reported that in the mining district of Lanarkshire, where the excuse of “no boots” is already used for absence from school in the winter, women cannot afford strong shoes for children. They buy sand-shoes in the summer, and some have already used ten coupons on these for one child alone. At this rate coupons will be exhausted before the cold weather, and before the need for real boots is felt.

(20 Cardiff P.C., 34).

10. Income Tax

On the whole, “even those to whom it is an innovation” are said to pay the tax quite cheerfully “once they understand the necessity”, but there is said to be a good deal of confusion on certain points. It is suggested, therefore, that the tax authorities should make the demand in simpler language, and that further publicity should be given to the need for tax on incomes which have hitherto been immune. There have been some complaints that income tax authorities have shown a lack of courtesy and sympathy when consulted on difficult points. Also, lack of privacy in their offices is an embarrassment to some people who are compelled to discuss intimate affairs in the presence of others.

Deduction at source : Among factory workers in Coventry, recurrent irritation is said to result from the insertion in the weekly pay envelope of a slip saying that such-and-such a sum has been deducted, without explanation. It is suggested that a more acceptable method would be to include a reminder, not more than once a quarter that too much clerical work would be entailed by a detailed explanation of each pay envelope, and then giving the figures for the whole three months. This would avoid “constantly rubbing it in” that the worker really gains very little from his overtime pay.

(5, 34)

11. Holidays

There is a demand for “more direction” on this subject. It is regretted that “there is so much asking people to do things and so little compulsion”. Complaints have been made in many districts that although the Government has recognised the need for one week's holiday for workers, people have been asked to spend their holidays at home, but no restraint has been placed on holiday travel for those on whom such appeals have no effect. It is felt that this method of restraint “penalises only the patriotic”. It is felt that “there is a definite need for a national campaign directed to keeping the middle class at home, and especially those people who 67 are still striving to keep up the traditions of an annual holiday for themselves and their families at some pleasure resort”.

(6, 7, 9,)

12. Salvage

The feeling is growing that “salvage is collected from houses to keep the public quiet, and then left to rot”. Dumps of tins are said to be “assuming enormous proportions” at St. Ives, and in the Grimsby district many of them remain uncollected. From Eastbourne there are complaints that “tons of metal, in the shape of tins, cycle frames, bedsteads, etc., are thrown on the public tip and left to be buried under a mass of rubble”. Cottagers in Northamptonshire were asked to collect salvage “on the understanding that local councils would take it away; but lack of help from local authorities is a continuous cause of complaint and irritation”. Great quantities of waste paper are said to have been found on a dump in a Kent village, “unsorted, covered by other rubbish, and soaked with rain”; and from the North Eastern Region there is a report that the waste paper which the Youth Squad had been collecting for months “has merely been littered about”. There is doubt “whether the National Salvage Campaign is really to be taken seriously”.

(2, 3, 4, 12, 18, 34)

13. Constant complaints .

No considerable change has been reported in public concern on the following points:-

Coal : Widespread anxiety still exists about the coal situation, especially as to how it will develop before next winter; there is a feeling of resentment that “so little foresight should have been shown by the authorities”.

Recruitment of labour : Disappointment and dissatisfaction continues to be expressed by women of about 35 who are told that they are “too old when they volunteer for war work”. Discourtesy at Labour Exchanges is reported; one in Lambeth is said to be particularly unhelpful, and many complaints of rudeness have been received.

Queues : These are said to be increasing in number, and with them the complaints of busy women that they cannot compete with the leisured ones in standing to wait for food.

Beer and tobacco shortages : It is said that “a plain statement of the position would clearly be welcomed”.

(1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 18, 23)

Home Intelligence.

68

REFERENCES .