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SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence - No. 65
Copy No. 192

31st December, 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.

It may be convenient to remind all recipients of this report that it is a confidential document, and therefore should not be disclosed to anyone else except by special authority of the Director of the Home Division of the Ministry of Information.

298 300 3 301 4 302 5 303 6 304 7 305 8 307 10 308 11

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT NO. 65

31st DECEMBER, 1941

(Covering period from 22nd to 29th December, 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

(Preliminary reports only have so far been received of the public's reaction to the news of Mr. Eden's visit to Moscow)

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

There appears to be very little change in the state of public feeling since last week, though in one or two Regions a rise in confidence is reported. Although anxiety about the Far East continues, and the volume of criticism of the “High Command” is tending to rise, concern has been considerably off-set by:-

The Prime Minister's visit to Washington : All reports agree in saying that the news of Mr. Churchill's visit to Washington, with a number of experts, has been welcomed by the public with the greatest satisfaction. It is described as “the highlight of the week”, and as “a tonic to public opinion”. It is specially welcomed as “counteracting the depression resulting from Japanese successes in the Far East”.

The fact that the conference has taken place in America has apparently aroused very little criticism, though some fears are expressed for the Prime Minister's safety in making such long journeys. A small minority, however, are reported to regard the visit as “another climb down by Britain”; and a few “disgruntled comments” have been heard to the effect that, “he didn't go to see Stalin”.

Particular satisfaction is expressed that the “demand for complete Allied unity in the conduct of the war” should have been answered so promptly; it is “hoped and expected that the present conference will result in far-reaching decisions for the pooling of democratic resources”. At first there was some tendency to doubt the completeness of the plans for Allied co-operation, and to feel that, as Mr. Churchill had gone to America and General Wavell to China, Russia was being neglected; but, according to preliminary reports, news of Mr. Eden's visit to Moscow has allayed this fear. The loud applause given by Congress to Mr. Churchill's tribute to the Russians has been noted with satisfaction as indicating “a change in American sentiment towards Russia, hitherto suspected of luke-warmness”.

Mr. Churchill's Speech in Congress : The greatest enthusiasm is expressed for this speech. Approval of it is “almost unanimous" and it is regarded by many as the best he has ever made. It is generally welcomed as a “great historic utterance”, likely “to knit the British Empire and the United States more closely together, not only for the duration of the war but for a long time to come”. Though there is a slight tendency to regard the speech as “following more or less the usual formula”, the force, brilliance, and subtlety, with which it was presented, appear to be appreciated by everyone. Particular relief is expressed that the Prime Minister spoke with his old vigour, and that “all signs of previous weariness or stumbling had gone”. There is considerable pleasure on account of the enthusiastic reception with which Congress received his speech, and also “pride that our country was making a good show in America”. The following points in particular have aroused comment:-

Britain and America : There are signs that public resentment and criticism of America is giving way to a sense of “comradeship in distress”. The warm welcome given to the Prime Minister in the United States has been “reflected here in a growing feeling of unity with the American people”, and it is thought that this is likely to increase “with each new approach a joint in direction of the Allies' war effort”.

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

2. The Far East and Australia

Again this week there has been very strong criticism of “our state of unpreparedness in the Far East”, particularly in view of the “build-up given to our strength in Malaya and the Pacific”. People seem to be exasperated not so much by the reverses themselves as by the “sense of having been deceived by reports of our extensive defence measures”, as well as by the feeling that “we have once again miscalculated, in this, the third year of the war”. Feeling is said to run very high that “those in command are, or have been, second-rate men”. It is asked “When will our military leaders do something right for the first time?” Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham has been “singled out for censure by the public”, and there are reports of booing in cinemas where he has appeared on the screen. The public is said to be “sick and tired of every Commander being written up to saturation point before he achieves anything”.

Hong Kong : The fall of Hong Kong appears to have been expected, and, on the whole, to have “caused sorrow but not despondency”. The gallantry and tenacity of the garrison has been highly praised, but people are now asking why Hong Kong was ever defended, thereby “sacrificing all those men and materials for nothing, when they could have been withdrawn and used to better effect elsewhere?” There is also some doubt whether it could ever have been worthwhile to have spent so much money on the defences, and whether it would not have been better to have recognised from the first that it was indefensible, as there was apparently only one airfield available and this on the mainland.

Malaya : Our retreats in Malaya are said to be causing dismal memories of Crete and Dunkirk, and anxiety has already been expressed as to our ability to hold Singapore. There is also indignation at the thought that we are “allowing immense resources and rich booty in Malaya to fall into Japanese hands because we have not the moral strength of the Russians in applying a scorched earth policy”.

The Philippines Growing apprehension is reported of the likelihood of American troops being driven out of the Philippines. There is much comment on the absence or inactivity of the American Navy and of our own submarines, in view of the “apparently uninterrupted journey of a hundred Japanese transports”. The American declaration of Manila as an open city is regarded by many people as a “futile step”, and as “simply inviting disaster”. This reaction reflects a feeling, mentioned in several reports, that the sooner the Americans and ourselves realise that “the old standards of decency have gone by the board”, the better.

The Dutch : The exploits of the Dutch East Indian forces are described as “the one bright spot in a murky scene”, the success of Dutch ships being compared with the performance of the British and American fleets in the Pacific.

Australia : There is reported to be “considerable sympathy with the criticism in Australia of our military command in the Far East, and of the retention in the Government of certain dead-heads”. Some uneasiness is expressed at the heavy fighting that has fallen to the New Zealand and Australian troops in territory far from Australia, while “millions of our own men are retained in safety in this country”; the demand for an Imperial War Cabinet is again mentioned. There is, however, some indication that too much complaint from Australia may be resented, since it is felt that “the Dominions generally, and Australia in particular, have tended to rely on our protection in the past while refusing to receive our immigrants who might have added to their manpower”. It is pointed out that her criticisms smack of “the usual Dominions' attitude that the Old Country is effete”, and that they lack “appreciation of the fact that Britain has borne the weight of the war”. There is some feeling that “Australia is panicking, now that the war is nearer”.

The lost battleships : “With the passing of time there is increased criticism of the naval authorities concerning the loss of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse”. Postal Censorship refers to an “undercurrent of questioning”, particularly on the wisdom of “allowing two battleships out without aircraft protection”. Bitter remarks are reported on the “attempt to make allies of the weather”; and Mr. Churchill's defence of Admiral Phillips has not convinced everybody.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21 Manchester P.C.)

3. Russia

Although the public is described as following the progress of the Russian armies “with elated admiration”, in some quarters Russian advances are now taken for granted. There is, however, no lessening of gratitude and sympathy; and there are “increased demands to know more of the regime which appears capable of producing such super-men”. There is some doubt as to whether the press and the B.B.C. may not be playing up the news above its real value, “particularly when points recaptured by the Russians in their advance, but not worthy of mention during the German push, apparently assume strategic importance”.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21 Manchester, Bristol P.C.s.)

4. Libya

Though the news from Libya tends to be overshadowed by other events, our continued advance still gives “sober satisfaction”. The capture of Benghazi has not excited much comment. The question now said to be in the minds of most people is how soon the advance into Tripolitania can be undertaken, and with what success.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21 Manchester, Bristol P.C.s.)

5. Hitler

Considerable speculation, most of it optimistic, has been aroused by Hitler's assumption of the command of the German armies. The following reactions have been noted, and are set down in order of prevalence:-

(1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10)

6. The Free French Coup

Considerable discussion is reported as a result of the Free French seizure of the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon; conflicting views are expressed. Some people regard the action as entirely justified, and blame the United States Government for its “continual attempts at appeasement towards Vichy”: they consider it high time that America learnt to take a new viewpoint. This feeling, as well as sympathy for the Free French, is reported to be particularly strong in Scotland.

A great many people, however, express “astonishment that General de Gaulle should have countenanced such piracy without the sanction of the Allies, and it is asked how we can possibly hope to win the war if one small partner is allowed to use forces equipped and maintained at our expense in any kind of adventure he fancies without regard to general strategy”.

(4, 6, 9, 10, 11)

7. Air raids and invasion prospects

Air raids : There is increased speculation as to the whereabouts of the Luftwaffe, and although fear of immediate air raids seems to be declining, they are expected to start again “sooner or later”.

Invasion : There appear to be two conflicting currents of feeling on this subject:

(a) There is some evidence this week that people are once again facing the possibility of an invasion of this country. The provision for compulsory service in the Home Guard, and the feeling that the Home Guard “are very much on the alert”, are believed to have something to do with it.

There seems to be much uncertainty and confusion as to what people are to do in the event of invasion.

There is also continued anxiety as to the efficacy of the protection afforded to our airfields.

(b) “The invasion complex” is said to be nothing but “a complete Maginot mentality”, and there is criticism of a policy which retains millions of men in safety in this country.

(3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10)

8. Broadcasting and presentation of news

There are further reports this week of the public's appreciation of the prompt release of bad news, the fall of Hong Kong being quoted as a case in point. Allied to this is a strong desire for a continuation of “frank statements” and for “the bare bones” of the news to be given. Annoyance is expressed at excuses offered for the set-back in Malaya; “explaining away” on the part of the B.B.C., and their use of such phrases as “retiring to previously arranged positions”, “successfully extricated” etc., are said to “irritate and depress” people.

The King's Speech . First reactions to the Christmas message of the King show that it was highly appreciated for its simplicity and dignity, and especially for its “spiritual” quality. This seems particularly to have been felt by “elderly people and those of the family type”.

(2, 5, 7, 10, 11, 22, 32)

9. Enemy propaganda

People are reported to be listening to enemy broadcasts “for the pleasure of hearing the excuses being made for Axis reverses in Russia and Libya”. It has also been commented on that these reverses have “curbed Lord Haw Haw's arrogant self-confident tone”.

(22)

10. Rumours

“Strong rumours” are current that the Navy has suffered heavy losses in addition to the Prince of Wales and the Repulse . The King George V and the Barham are again mentioned as having been sunk.

In ports in the South Western Region rumour is persistent that the Prime Minister made the crossing to America in the new battleship, the Duke of York .

A telegram is supposed to have been received at Fishguard Harbour - “intended to prevent the sailing of one of the cross-channel boats. The telegram purported to come from railway headquarters, whereas no such telegram had been sent by the authorities”.

It is rumoured that “recently there have been four raids by landing parties on the French coast”.

From a factory in the Midland Region comes a report that rumours were spread among imported labour that certain parts of the country had been badly bombed. It is said that this story caused a drop in production.

It is reported in Bury St. Edmunds that “two people were definitely poisoned by an American tinned ‘spread’, and that there are many similar cases in Coventry”.

(4, 7, 8, 9, 12, 21)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

11. Industry

“Mismanagement, and also slack-time, due to shortage of material, are still the outstanding topics in industrial areas”. It is said that “the general attitude of the workers already in the factories is one of antagonism towards new labour, when they themselves are not working full-time, and the attitude of potential recruits continues to be influenced by the tales of slack-time spread by the workers”.

Imported Labour : This is said to be a source of constant trouble, complaints coming from both managements and those on whom the labourers are billeted. The R.I.O. Midland Region reports that in one factory “the matron said that at least 30% of the arrivals (mostly from Scotland and Ireland) are filthy - bodily dirt, lousy heads, and some cases of scabies - and that she and her staff have had to put in days of decontamination work. Other factories, making the same complaints, are asking that the workers should be examined before being sent to them”. In one place “the Town Clerk has evidence from thirty-seven women whose homes and purses have suffered very considerably” from the behavior of “imported labourers”; billeting officers are meeting with “blank refusals from housewives to accommodate them”.

From Scotland it is reported that “farmers complain that Irish labourers are leaving employment without notice and removing to other districts. They are strongly of the opinion that Irish labourers should come under the provisions of the Essential Works (Agriculture, Scotland) Order, 1941”.

Transfer of labour : Discontent on this score continues to be reported. Workers themselves instance cases in which time or manpower has been wasted by the drafting of local labour to other districts, followed by a local shortage, and the bringing in of new recruits to fill the gaps. “The decision to move large numbers of mobile Scottish women to war factories in England will rouse considerable opposition among those who have been pressing for some time for the opening up of new war factories in Scotland. It is alleged that the principal engineering firms in the Edinburgh district (very few in number) have no women workers, and that this is the result of a deliberate policy. There is a call for the creation of shell-filling factories to employ the many thousands of women available in the Edinburgh district and the Dundee area”.

Wages : “Business firms complain of depleted staffs because of the high wages paid by Government contractors working on cost-plus basis”. Concern is once more expressed in many parts of the country over the effects of the high payment of juveniles. The extra work caused by Christmas (mail-handling, etc) has been shared by soldiers and civilians, the soldiers receiving no additional pay, while the civilians have benefited: this appears to have sharpened the comparisons drawn between Service and civilian pay, especially that earned by “the rawest munition workers”.

Ship-building and Engineering Workers : The R.I.O. Scotland writes:- “While in business and finance circles the 5/- wage increase in the ship-building and engineering industries awarded by the National Arbitration Tribunal has aroused considerable criticism and fears of an inflationary spiral of wages-expenses-demand, the general effect on the workers themselves has been good. The decision has tended to strengthen the reputation of the Tribunal as a body independent of Government dictation”.

Employment Exchanges : R.I.Os continue to report the fear that “women are bullied at the Labour Exchanges”. Instance after instance is given in detail of discourtesy, of would-be volunteers leaving the Exchanges “firmly determined to do nothing until forced to, as a direct result of the way in which they were received”, and of the annoyance caused when older women are unsympathetically treated “by young, irresponsible, mobile girls”.

A.T.S. It is again pointed out that “the alleged immorality of the A.T.S. is not thought to weigh with people so much as has been suggested, with the possible exception of mothers with young daughters. With women over twenty-five it is believed to be the herding together, the restrictions and bad housing conditions which weigh much more - immorality is a matter of choice, but bad conditions are not”. Nevertheless, postal censorship continues to report extracts from letters such as:- “All the girls at our factory are talking about nothing but weddings - trying to dodge the conscription for the Forces. They are marrying soldiers they have known for only a few months. There will be a lot of rude awakenings after this war”; and in answer to an enquiry among girls in another factory, as to why they disliked the idea of going into this Service, the reply was that “they had always succeeded in avoiding domestic service and its restrictions, and they thought the A.T.S. not much better”.

(3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 21 Newcastle, Bristol P.C.s.

12. Income Tax

The confusion and misunderstanding among first-payers (mentioned in Home Intelligence Reports previously) have led to considerable discussion, both critical and appreciative, of the recent wireless talks on the subject. Mr. Keynes' postscript has been described as “helpful to some people, but too ‘educated’ in its approach for most of his audience”. On Sir Kingsley Wood's broadcast, comment was to the effect that “post-war credits are to be made available at a date to be fixed after the war - the Government is covering itself”. Disbelief in the scheme of post-war credits still seems fairly common. It has been suggested that in order to convince the workers of its validity “non-negotiable certificates should be issued by the Government every six months”. The suspicion that employers in some way benefit from the amounts deducted from workers' pay has again been recorded, and also the fact that would-be volunteers among married women “are deterred from working because the nett return, after payment of expenses and tax, is small or even a deficit”.

A report from the Spalding district says that agricultural workers, after putting in the normal time with their own employers, go to other farmers for casual overtime employment; payment for this is probably not included in the Income Tax return. It is also thought that in some case agricultural workers are not fully exerting themselves, through resentment of the substantial proportion of their earnings taken by the tax.

(2, 3, 10, 11, 21 Manchester P.C.)

13. Service Dependants' Allowances

The comment of the R.I.O. Southern Region is echoed in very similar terms in other parts of the country:- “The unfavourable position of Servicemen's families regarding Christmas supplies, as compared with the families of other war workers, has revived the discussion of the anomalies between the pay and allowances of Servicemen and others. Some soldiers on leave have been making exceedingly bitter comparisons between the lavish expenditure of their neighbours and the very limited amount their own families have been in a position to spend”. It is again reported that: “The general call-up of both men and women has created new criticisms of the system of Service allowances and many cases of hardship are coming to light, where, for example, all the sons of the family are serving and now the daughters are being called up”.

14. Christmas irritants

Although, as recorded in ‘General Comments’, Christmas has helped to sustain public spirit, it seems also to have been the focusing point of several different kinds of resentment. Some R.I.Os mention considerable discontent caused by the high price of wines and spirits, and by the ‘turkey racket’; from other quarters come complaints about over-long Christmas holidays in R.O.F., M.A.P. and other war factories, sometimes because the factories officially closed for more than one day, and sometimes because “an appalling percentage of absenteeism” was alleged among the workers on Boxing day and on the Saturday. The competition for such railway transport as was available led to “scenes of great selfishness”.

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

15. Food

The public continues to be highly satisfied with the supply and distribution of food, and Lord Woolton is praised for “the wonders he has performed” and for having done “a good job in this, the third war Christmas”.

Milk : With the exception of Scotland, where “grumbling still continues”, no complaints are reported this week.

Points rationing : Growing popularity of American canned meats.

Unrationed foods : There is still a call for the extension of rationing.

Black Markets : Six R.I.Os report much comment on black markets in wines and spirits and poultry; the high prices and shortage of these goods has aroused considerable ill-feeling. Jews are believed in some areas to be “the prime offenders” in the black markets both as vendors and purchasers.

Small traders : Continue to feel that Government policy is intentionally inimical to them.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 21)

16. Clothes rationing

Only two R.I.Os make any reference to this subject. According to them a certain amount of hardship is caused by the public's confusion about some of the regulations, and it has been suggested that it might be helpful if the Board of Trade's press advertisements were “set to catch the eye”, and the Ministry of Food's policy of “inserting the message frequently” could be followed.

(1, 10)

17. Constant Topics and Complaints

Shopping difficulties of war workers are said to be “acute”. Lunch-hour closing continues to be a grievance, and criticism of the closing of shops from Christmas Eve until Monday is coupled with complaints that “shop assistants are showing the worst spirit of selfishness, and are taking advantage of shortages to become rude and domineering”. There are also complaints that “office workers do not get as good shopping concessions as factory workers”.

“Increased discontent” is reported regarding infrequent and crowded ‘buses, lack of rush-hour control, and of late evening transport . Lack of transport after 8 p.m. is said to be causing hardship to war workers, Home Guards and Civil Defence personnel, and to be leading to reluctance to work late at night. In a number of towns there is a renewed demand for some sort of ‘bus pass for essential workers. (‘Bus drivers taking workers to Aycliffe R.O. Factory are said to have nothing to do all day. “They take workers there in the morning and have to hang about all day till they can take them home at night”).

There are complaints of shortages of wireless batteries and valves, and of torch batteries (particularly no. 8). Wholesalers say that “the demands of the R.A.F. are largely responsible for the shortage of torch batteries”, of the quality of which there are also complaints.

Delay in the opening of day nurseries is attributed to the fact that “two Ministries are responsible, each trying to leave the work to the other”.

Profiteering in wines and spirits appears to have been very prevalent over Christmas, when the supply was not nearly equal to the demand. People are also asking: “Where are the cheap sweets promised for Christmas?” Many retailers are reported to have had no new stocks for some time.

The demand for British Restaurants continues.

The chief shortages are of: chocolate and confectionery, tobacco and cigarettes, wines, spirits and beer, eggs, fish, and fruit, lighters and flints, cheap crockery, kitchen equipment, soap flakes, and matches.

(1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10)

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