A History of the Ministry of Information, 1939-46
SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence - No. 20.
Copy No. 51
(From Wednesday 12th February, to Wednesday 19th February, 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
Almost everywhere people are paying greater lip-service to the prospect of invasion. In London, for instance, at the end of January, 35% of people expected it; on February 10, the figure has risen to 53%. Two-thirds of people questioned thought it would be a good thing for us, a quarter thought it would be a bad thing, while the rest held no opinion. “Expectation of invasion with confidence in the outcome” is the keynote of the great majority of reports. In mid-Wales, and the Northern and the North-Eastern regions, however, invasion is regarded as a dim and rather unlikely prospect. But behind this “nominal expectation”, few people seem to have visualised invasion as a really serious affair. It is still treated rather as an exciting and thrilling kind of game in which we may soon be involved. People are impatient at the delay, they talk of fighting with any weapon which comes to hand ( kettles of hot water, shot-guns etc.), and they boast that every German will be cut to pieces. Only on the subject of gas is there slight perturbation, showing itself in rumours that gas has already been used (see ‘Rumours’) and in letters and ‘phone calls urging friends and relations to be prepared. But the great majority are still not carrying their gas masks. Although more people are asking for instructions about what to do when invasion comes, there is still a great mass who have not faced the situation in a sufficiently realistic way to make them think about the practical difficulties which will arise. When people were asked how they thought others would behave when invasion came, nearly a quarter expected some panic. “Stay put” has ceased to be an automatic answer. The brief M.o.I. announcement about what “staying put” means seems to have made little impression. Women, it is said, may-move either to join their evacuated children, or because they fear violation by the invaders. In reception areas, it is feared that the richer type of evacuee, “having no roots in the place”, will be only too ready to move on once more, and in the New Forest area, many are stated to have cars ready and suitcases packed following talk that large scale evacuation of the district would follow German landing. (1, 2, 4, 5, 5x, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20 Bristol, Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Edinburgh, Inverness, Manchester, Reading P.Cs. 21 Manchester, Inverness, Special T.Cs. 23, 32, 34,).
After invasion, food shortages and difficulties are the main topic of public discussion (see “Food”).
On the news in general, the trend of comment is as follows. There is still a paean of praise for the Prime Minister's recent broadcast. African news continues to give satisfaction, though there is no doubt in the public mind that it is only the weak end of the Axis that we are hammering. The landing of our paratroops in Italy causes much discussion and a desire for fuller details; also the suggestion that should the Italians treat them dishonourably, we ought to retaliate on Italian prisoners. The news from the Balkans creates no great anxiety nor interest; there is evidence of feeling of remoteness, ignorance, and complacency; these who express opinions regard Yugo-Slavia and Bulgaria as Hitler's as soon as he likes to take them, and it is not expected that Greece would long be able to withstand a German onslaught; of Turkey, it is hoped she will be able to resist, but her failure to do so would cause no great surprise; some think that Axis preoccupations in the Near East diminish the chances of invasion at home. The activities of Japan are watched without alarm. Unoccupied France is observed with some slight sympathy, but with little expectation that she will ever stand firm or be of much value to us. The lull in raids is spoken of as “calm before the storm”, and few believe that the weather is really the cause. (1, 2, 4, 5x, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13).
The amount of neurotic illness as a result of raids has been disclosed by the Ministry of Health. Only 5% of all people incapacitated by air-raids were suffering from “nervous shock”. Some of these cases were probably physical in origin, the result of blast. The great majority had recovered within a week or two. In December 1940, the number of civilian neuroses due to air-raids requiring admission to special psychiatric hospitals was:- London 25; rest of England 3. In January there were still fewer cases. The total percentage of shock cases needing first-aid treatment in September was twice that in December. At out-patient psychiatric clinics, the number of new cases seen in 1940 was below that of 1939. Following the Coventry raid, the number of neurotic out-patients was the same as usual, and no patients needed admission to special centres. In Home Intelligence Weekly Report No. 13, an appendix on “Psychological Reactions to Air Raids” pointed out that the reason for the small number of neurotic casualties was probably the escape of the potentially neurotic to the country or the deep shelter - an escape which was hindered rather than aided by a neurotic reaction. It has further been suggested that another factor which limits civilian as compared with service psychaitric casualties is that the civilian is called upon to face the risk of death, whereas the soldier is in addition called upon to inflict death (34).
On the subjects of reprisals, peace aims, and extremist activities there is nothing new to report.
2. Rumours .
This week rumours have increased both in number and distribution. Invasion and gas have been the main subjects. Stories of invasion attempts in Truro and in Lincolnshire are mentioned (8). 300 paratroops were said to have been rounded up near Lowestoft (4). Paratroops dressed as women are believed to have fallen in Leicestershire and at Skegness (3). It is also rumoured that we are moving convoys of barges towards the coast and that frequent sorties test the defences of Belgium and France (2).
On the subject of gas, it is believed, even by responsible people in official positions, that gas raids have already occurred in Liverpool and in Kent (3, 14). Another rumour reported from London, Southampton and Bristol which is treated seriously is that incendiary bombs emit an arsenical smoke, and that people should always stand with their backs to the Wind when tackling them (14 S. Western). In the Edinburgh region where a continuous inshore East wind is usual at this time of year, it is feared that this may be used by the enemy to carry gas (34).
Rumours that germs of foot-and-mouth disease have been dropped by German planes are reported from Northern Ireland (20 Leeds, Edinburgh, P.Cs).
Haw-Haw is said to have mentioned the Orkneys, Inverness, and Yarmouth (4, 20 Inverness P.C.)
3. Broadcasting .
A Listener Research survey on a random sample of 2,200 listeners showed that 58% of people were satisfied with the care of the B.B.C. in controlling the vulgarity of its comedians; 13% would like greater care; 10% would like less care; while the rest held no opinion (25).
4. British Opinion on America
A special study of this subject up to February 17th, has been made by the Postal Censorship. Its main conclusions are given below. The study is, of course, subject to the limitation that much of what is censored is intended to be read by Americans, but it is substantially confirmed from other sources.
1. A comparatively small number of correspondents mention the subject, and almost all belong to the educated classes. This does not mean that the public as a whole is not interested, but working class writers seldom mention political matters unless they affect them directly.
2. There is an increasing feeling that we are fighting America's battles as well as our own, and for this reason the tools should be given and not sold. Pro-British American slogans cause irritation to many people, as it is felt that words are cheaper to give than destroyers. Some suggest that America wants to pose as the saviours of Britain after the war (20 Inverness P.C.)
3. The great majority are satisfied that aid should be in material and not in men.
4. Many appreciate the aid so far received, but are increasingly anxious at the slowness with which help is reaching us, and the “apparently interminable discussions” about the lease-and-lend bill.
5. Others openly criticise the apparent apathy and self-interest of the Americas, and accuse them of being “Dollar Mad”.
6. There is unanimous admiration and respect for President Roosevelt. He is felt to be a genuine friend.
7. Mr. Wendell Willkie has become very popular with the general public, thanks both to his genial and easy-going manner, and to the sportsmanlike way in which he took his electoral defeat.
8. Many writers believe that a closer co-operation and understanding with America is essential both now and after the war to ensure a permanent peace, and a number hope for a reunion between the Commonwealth and the States.
9. Americans in England are even more critical than Englishmen of their country's attitude to the war.
II. SPECIAL COMMENTS
5. Food
Food continues to be one of the main pre-occupations of the public.
There are signs of some unreasoned resentment against shopkeepers - wholesalers, and retailers - among people who do not look beyond the shop in front of them to find the real reasons for shortages. They complain also of shops being closed at lunch time, at food being sold out early and at non-rationed food being sold only to favoured customers.
Queues for non-rationed goods are much resented. In some districts shop-keepers are telling housewives to come at 9 a.m. and this results in queues and much ill-feeling. Queues for meat and other foods are reported from Enfield, Chesterfield, Nottingham, Bewdley, Stourport, Stafford, West Bromwich and Dudley. The mayors of the last five places express the opinion that “food queues are a bigger menace to public morale than several serious German air raids”.
Restaurant meals are still criticised and there are complaints in many districts that soldiers are buying food freely in cafes in spite of their extra meat ration.
Complaints of profiteering are reported. Lood Woolton is urged to “take a firm hand and allow no profiteering in this grave phase of the nation's history”. He is accused of being “too optimistic” in his broadcast talks and of “not explaining the real reason why there are shortages, with the result that unfair blame tends to attach itself to butchers and retailers causing much unnecessary ill-feeling.” There has not been time to analyse public reactions to Lord Woolton's statement in the House of Lords yesterday.
Vigorous protests continue to be reported from mine-workers Associations and miners' wives of the inadequacy of the meat ration and the shortage of cheese for miners. There are indications that housewives are beginning to get together to watch their local food situation and report on price and other irregularities.
Lack of fruit worries many people, especially those with children, and the suggestion is put forward that “a ration of orange juice would be more suitable for them than tea”.
There is evidence, however, that people are beginning to adjust themselves to the new food situation, (old people are reported to be finding it more difficult to do this than young) and housewives to show more ingenuity in catering and cooking than before.
Preliminary results of a sample investigation in Harrow between February 3rd and 8th conducted by Wartime Social Survey; 32% of those interviewed did not complain about food difficulties, of the rest all said they had difficulty. The price of fish figured most prominently and afterwards the shortage of meat, cheese and eggs in that order. This result shows the existence and nature of the particular food difficulties but gives no information on the trend of public feeling about them. (2, 3, 4, 5, 5x, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 20 P.C. Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Special, Northern Ireland, 24, 34).
6. Air Raids . The nightly trek out of Southampton, Portsmouth and Bristol continues on a reduced scale. The organisation of fire-watching is still proving a difficulty in areas with business premises. Some resentment is expressed that employers should call on volunteers, who consider that their own homes and families should come first. Confusion of mind over precise directions still exists and the distribution of the fire-watching leaflet has been shown by investigation in London to have been erratic. The use of compulsory powers is demanded in many districts as large numbers of streets are said still to have no organisation for watching. Promised equipment of tin hats etc. is reported to be urgently demanded, especially in working class districts. Fire-fighting is stated to be having “a good effect on the morale of people” in blitzed towns, e.g. in Plymouth and Bristol.
Delay in salvaging furniture in bombed houses is still a major source of grievance and its obvious connection with looting is widely commented on.
The insurance of furniture and other private belongings is rousing some controversy as to whether it should be compulsory or not (2, 3, 5, 5x, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 20 Bristol Edinburgh P.C. 21 Manchester, Portsmouth T.C. 34.)
7. Shelters .
Portsmouth people are stated to be leaving the city in large numbers each evening to spend the night in shelters on a hill overlooking the city. The men are said to sleep on benches while the women stand all night and sleep only in the morning when the men have gone to work.
A decline in the general vitality among regular shelter-users in London is remarked on by Social and Civil Defence workers. Medical opinion in Bristol attributes the widespread bronchial trouble following flu to nights “spent in cold damp shelters”.
Amid general improvement in London, unofficial shelters - in church crypts etc. - continue to be bad spots of unhygienic conditions.
The collapse of surface shelters in Bristol, unaffected by bomb or blast, is stated to be “having a very bad psychological effect on people expected to use similar structures during raids”. These shelters are now being rebuilt. (2, 5x, 7, 9, 14, 17, 18, 20 P.C. Bristol, 21 T.C. Portsmouth).
8. Evacuation The situation remains very much the same. A trickle back to London and other vulnerable areas continues on a small scale.
Complaints are reported that the Bristol evacuation scheme is not “all-embracing”. Arrangements for “temporary rest” evacuation are now functioning successfully.
Merseyside teachers complain of “unfair billetting and overcrowding of evacuees”. (5, 5x, 7, 10, 20 P.C. Bristol).
9. Trade and Industry .
Retailers are reported to be “seriously worried” by the rapidly altering situation and are asking for a lead from the Government as to what they should do. Small shop-keepers everywhere are stated to be going out of business as they cannot get their supplies.
The thought of compulsory service is reported to be “frightening some women” A sense of insecurity is apparently being engendered by the lack of a definition of Government policy. On the other hand “married women are considering giving up war work because they find everything sold out when they go to buy their food at night”.
Unemployment in Northern Ireland is rousing bitter comment in correspondence, and there is a wide demand that war industry should be established there.
Shortage of labour in the West Highlands is reported to be due to lack of entertainment.
Public confidence is said to be disturbed in Glasgow because iron and steel industries do not appear to be working at full speed.
The national and regional press continue to criticise the Government handling of the industrial situation, and to prophesy that the restriction on the textile trade will lead to general dislocation and the closing down of a large percentage of mills before the workers can be properly absorbed into the war industries. (5x, 10, 17, 18, 20 P.C. Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham, North Ireland Special, 34.)
10. Transport .
Complaints are reported that poor transport wastes “hundreds of thousands of working hours by dock-yard workers in Portsmouth”. Further complaints of workers' difficulties and delays are reported from London and other Regions. (5, 5x, 18, 19.)
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