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SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT
Copy No. 245

The aim of this Report is to present an impartial assessment of public feeling about the war and the war effort. It is not a record of fact , except in so far as public opinion is itself a fact. The public is sometimes ill-informed, prejudiced, or inconsistent. The recording of such feelings without comment implies no endorsement of them.

The public is more prone to criticise than to praise. Good work or efficiency is usually taken for granted. An accurate record of expressed feeling will, therefore, tend to be critical rather than laudatory.

The method of compiling the Report is such that the amount of space devoted to each subject, and the order in which subjects are placed, are roughly indicative of the amount of public interest each is arousing. The omission of a subject from the Report means that it is not a matter of widespread comment.

In assessing the state of public feeling there are no absolutes. Findings can only be comparative. Each issue of this Report must therefore be read as part of a continuous series. Unless the series is seen as a whole, the significance of fluctuations in feeling cannot be appreciated

The figures in brackets at the end of each section refer to sources of information, a list of which is given on the next page. The weekly reports from Regional Information Officers (R.I.Os.) are compiled by the Regional Intelligence Officers from a large number of sources. Details of the methods of compilation and cross-checking are contained in a paper on “How the Home Intelligence Weekly Report is made”. This will be supplied on request to the Home Intelligence Division of the Ministry of Information.

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P.T.O.

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MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Home Intelligence Division Weekly Report No. 100
SECRET

3rd September, 1942

(Covering the period from 25th August to 1st September, 1942)

I. GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

While “the heartening effect” of the news from Russia is referred to by ten Regions, and a similar effect due to the U.S. successes in the Solomons is mentioned by eight, there is lack of agreement as to the general state of public feeling. This is variously described as:-

On the more depressing side of the picture, there is mention of:-

It is probable that the true state of feeling is not to be found by taking the average of these varied sentiments, but rather by seeing them as co-existent. This week, general public feeling defies simple summation.

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

2. Russia

Although anxiety continues to be reported about the situation in the Caucasus, “the heartening Russian counter-attack” at Rzhev and the slowing down of Von Bock before Stalingrad have “made people generally a bit more hopeful”. It is felt now that Stalingrad may not fall; this appears to be based not so much on the hope that the Russian offensive further north will relieve German pressure but more on the fact that her stand is likened to that of Moscow's last year - “and Moscow survived her great peril”.

Other feelings reported are:-

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

3. The Dieppe Raid

Discussion as to the wisdom, value and losses of the raid on Dieppe continues, and the main trends of feeling may be summarised thus:-

The sending of reassuring telegrams by soldiers who were not in the Dieppe raid to relatives is said to have created considerable unnecessary anxiety among others who did not get such telegrams.

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

4. The U.S. operations in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea

There appears to be slightly more interest in this theatre of war, and a general feeling that the U.S. have “got to work in earnest and are doing a good job in the Solomon Islands”. Considerable pleasure is also reported at “the dramatic turn of events” at Milne Bay, particularly at “the re-embarkation of the Japanese after their landings - this being the first time that our enemy has been put in such a position”.

Other reactions reported are (a) a tendency to believe that the threat to Australia and Siberia has been removed; (b) “high praise for General MacArthur and U.S. troops”.

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

5. Egypt

(No reports have been received since the start of Rommel's new offensive.)

Although little comment is reported on this front, “a new flare up” seems to be expected soon and people are described as “watching and waiting”.

The changes in command are said “not to have strengthened general confidence”.

The feeling that the lull is to Rommel's advantage persists and it “is feared we may wait too long instead of making the first jump”.

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

6. Death of the Duke of Kent

From nine Regions, regret is reported to be widespread at the death of the Duke of Kent. It is remarked that “he was doing a real job”. The fact that he was a member of the Royal Family is thought by the majority “to prove that everyone is in this war”. His visits to bombed areas are recalled in various Regions with appreciation.

Considerable sympathy is felt for the Duchess “who, being in a foreign land, will miss the Duke so very much”. The stressing, by the B.B.C. and press, of her natural grief is deplored in two Regions. It is felt to be both offensive and in bad taste, although the description of the funeral service was much praised and thought to be “very moving”.

Comment on the following lines is reported from five Regions:-

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

7. The Prime Minister's recent journey

“Whole-hearted approval” for the Prime Minister's visit to Moscow and to Egypt continues to be reported. Mr. Churchill is praised for his courage and cheerfulness, and his prestige is said “to have leapt high again”. Relief is expressed at his safe return - particularly in view of the Duke of Kent's death.

The public are said to be waiting with interest for “some statement by him” and are hoping that “something will happen soon”.

A few people continue to believe that his visit was prompted by fears of a complete Russian collapse.

(1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13)

8. Air raids

R.A.F. bombing offensive : Public interest in the R.A.F. bombing offensive is reported not to be great; “it tends to be taken rather much for granted”. Our “disappointing” failure to maintain large-scale raids is reported to be causing bewilderment, and the public are said to observe “that recently no percentages of losses to total numbers employed have been given; they therefore wonder whether we are losing more than 10 per cent; but if news of another 1000 bomber raid came through tails would be right up”.

Satisfaction is expressed both at the news of participation by U.S. aircraft in raids on the continent, and at the Russian air offensive; but it is said that “besides having all the land fighting, the Russians are also left to carry out the bombing of Berlin”. The absence of losses among both the American and Russian bombers is attributed to “high altitude bombing”, and there is speculation as to why we do not follow their example.

Expectation of renewed raids on this country is reported to be prevalent in three Regions, though in London this is “not so vigorous as it was when alerts were frequent”. In Cornwall particularly, where the weight of German pressure on Russia has made a deep impression, considerable apprehension seems to be felt. The “horrible prospect” of invasion, “in the event of Hitler being able to overcome the Russians” is felt to be looming up again, when “intensification of night bombing with all his planes released against us will not leave much of England at the finish”.

Air Raids on this country : Recent raids on this country are reported to have produced a “weary peevishness”; criticism of our defences may be summarised on the following lines:

“The bombs fell before the alert was sounded” . Following air raids on Leeds, (Aug. 27), Bristol and Cardiff (Aug. 28) “great dissatisfaction” is reported that despite “our boasted radiolocation” the sirens were sounded after the bombs had dropped; “twenty minutes too late” in the case of Bristol. It is felt that had the alert been given earlier, casualties could have been avoided. “Wardens and fire-fighters are said to complain that the difficulty of dealing with fire bombs is enormously increased if inadequate warning is given”.

In Leeds on the night after the raid people, on hearing planes overhead, are reported to have been afraid to go to bed. “Continued lack of faith in sirens will, it is felt, tend to lower morale and efficiency among workers, and waste much fuel and light”. (Three Regions).

Where are our defences ? A certain amount of criticism is reported “about planes getting so far inland without interception”. At Cardiff it was asked; “Where were our fighters, on a day when everything seemed in their favour?” (Two Regions)

Naming of towns raided in daylight : Some feeling is reported that “a town which has suffered a daylight raid ought to get the credit of ‘a mention in despatches’”; it is asked why, for instance, Bristol should be named when other easily identifiable towns are not mentioned. (One Region)

(1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 21 Inverness P.C., 32)

9. Post-raid feeling in Norwich

In view of “continued alerts and the approach of winter”, a further enquiry has been made at Norwich to find out whether any demand has recently developed for evacuation facilities to be provided.

There is no substantial change in feeling in the past 8 weeks. It seems to be felt that no place in the Region is immune from bombing; confidence in Norwich shelters and in the presence of barrage balloons is apparent, and “there is a considerable desire that families should remain united”.

There seems, however, to be a newly developed distrust of Morrison shelters, owing to an incident in which two persons in a Morrison shelter were trapped and burnt to death in a recent raid. Remarks such as “a Morrison shelter is no better than a trap” are widely heard, and people are reported “loth to make use of them”.

(14, Eastern)

10. U.S. troops in Great Britain

Approval continues to be reported for the U.S. troops, who are said to be “settling down well” in districts where they have arrived.

In Northern Ireland “considerable adverse comment” is reported over a shooting incident at a dance hall in which a British soldier was wounded by an American. The incident is said to have been “taken very much to heart by the American forces; among them, the action of the soldier who fired the shot created an even greater resentment than has been expressed by the civil population”.

Coloured troops and white women : In two Regions, there are suggestions that “bad white women” are responsible for the [Text Missing] colour question becoming a problem. “There is certainly strong feeling at discrimination against coloured men or the establishment of a colour bar, which conflicts with our ideas of fair play”.

Complaints continue about the great spending power of the U.S. troops, as also do occasional allegations of drunkenness.

Embarrassment is reported among British troops who accidentally salute American privates, on account of their uniforms.

It is thought that transport officials should be instructed to show courtesy to travelling Americans; an incident is reported of “churlishness” on the part of a booking office clerk to an obviously weary American, and a good deal of anger among the public witnessing the incident is reported. And the giving of too little change to an American by a shopkeeper aroused “indignation”. The people as a whole appear to be acutely sensitive to their duties as hosts to “our transatlantic friends”.

(3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 16, 21 Inverness, Reading, Manchester P.C.s, 32)

11. The Second Front

Discussion appears to have died down considerably. Since the Dieppe raid, the desire for a second front has become mingled with “a considerable dread” of its cost, and people appear content “to leave the decision to those who know”.

Resentment is again reported at the Communists' “clamour”.

(1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12)

12. Brazil

There continues to be little comment on the entry of Brazil into the war. Discussion is said to be limited by popular ignorance: “Brazil is the place the nuts come from”.

Some satisfaction is, however, expressed at:-

(3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13)

13. India

Comment this week is slight. The Government action appears still to be favoured by the majority; a minority feel that “despite this the problem is still far from solution”. There is said to be “little patience for Gandhi”.

(1, 10, 12, 21 Inverness, Reading, Manchester P.C.s.)

14. Broadcasting and presentation of news

Criticisms of the usual kind continue in moderate volume.

Dieppe raid: “Appreciation of the way the Dieppe raid was presented” is reported from six Regions; it's freshness and objectivity are said to have stimulated morale.

Commander Kimmins' broadcast : “Further expressions of enthusiasm” for Cmdr. Kimmins' broadcast on the Malta convoy are reported from six Regions; it is said to have had “an inspiring effect on the people”.

Satisfaction at Mr. Oliver Lyttelton's speech is reported from two Regions, as it is thought high time “we blew our own trumpet a little with regard to production”.

The Press : There are comments from two Regions on the unreliability of the headlines in the Press; German sources of news, it is alleged, are given undue prominence.

From Scotland “a horrified delight” is reported at the photographs of destruction at Mainz after R.A.F. raids.

“The Daily Worker” : Although on the whole little interest is expressed at the raising of the ban on “The Daily Worker”, certain Regions mention considerable approval among left wing elements. Communists are reported to be already redoubling their propaganda to organise demands for a second front.

From three Regions, the following comments are reported:-

On the whole, the order was thought “overdue, so it is satisfactory to have it cleared up”.

News-Reels : There is high praise for the news-reels showing Mr. Churchill in Egypt, and for the Malta Convoy pictures.

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

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

15. Fuel Economy

People in general appear to be becoming “fuel economy conscious”. Many are, however, already economical through necessity or because they cannot get supplies owing to unofficial rationing schemes or delivery difficulties. There are still complaints of wastage in shops, public buildings, places of amusement and by the Services (“in my daughter's billets, they have hot baths every day”). It is also felt that bombed houses and blacked-out skylights in public buildings are causing unnecessary waste of fuel and light.

“Your fuel target” advertisement : Many people find the “Target” too complicated for the average householder to work out, although the advertisement on Sunday (Aug. 30th) is welcomed as making calculations “a bit easier”. Among the difficulties reported are meter reading, and how to classify halls and other rooms in private houses where at least light is used. Those who have worked out their targets find “the drastic curtailment” a shock. Many people wonder how they will manage this winter, especially with the poor quality of coal now being sold.

Criticisms are as follows:-

Commander King-Hall's broadcast : This impressed upon the community “the urgency of need for economy”, but in two Regions he was felt to have “overdone it a bit”, and to have been “ponderous”. His “schoolmaster's” attitude in his screen exhortation is also criticised: “it's not our fault there is a fuel shortage”.

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

16. Industry

There is little criticism this week, though in the South Western Region “vested interests are still held to be a mental obstacle to 100% willing co-operation of employees”. The news of the Dieppe raid is again reported to have had a favourable effect on production; employees of the Bristol Aeroplane Co., are said to “have worked like niggers after the news came through”, and in one Region it is suggested that “our entry into Europe would produce a substantial rise in production”.

Once more, there is said to be need for encouragement among workers engaged on jobs of national importance which are not directly connected with munition manufacture.

Manpower : Increasing discussion of “the manpower situation” is reported from eight Regions. The chief complaints are:-

Criticism of Managements : Criticisms of specific firms and Government departments have been received from four Regions on the following lines:-

Women : Lack of War Nurseries is reported again from two Regions, and in the North Eastern Region it is alleged that though there has been a large and rapid increase in the number of women in war work, many have had to give up their work owing to lack of facilities for the care of their children.

The feeling about the transfer of women workers from Scotland is now reported to be “bitter” in that country, and the announcement that large numbers of women may be needed in the shipyards “has added another argument to those agitating against a further transfer”.

Trade Unionism : Several problems concerning Trade Unions are reported to be “exciting interest” in Scotland:-

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

17. Women's Fireguard Order

From five Regions, and from Postal Censorship, come reports of criticism and a good deal of discussion of this subject. It is said in one Region that “next to the war in Russia, it is discussed more than any other subject”.

Complaints this week are on familiar lines, and may be summarised as follows:-

From two Regions it is said that women are prepared to take their share of firewatching and will play their part fairly with the men. From the North Western Region, however, some married women and spinsters over 40 are said strongly to disapprove of being called upon to firewatch, a few of them “expressing the hope that Miss Wilkinson will try it herself”. In the Midland Region it is said that many returning evacuees have failed to register for firewatching,

(1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 21 Inverness, Glasgow, Manchester P.C.s.)

18. Civil Defence

It is felt that “proposals for the extinguishing of lights in all rooms but one in a house during air raids is both practical and sensible”, but the original announcement that appeared in some papers, suggesting that people might have to sit in the dark during an air raid, caused considerable agitation which was only eased by the further announcement made by the Ministry of Home Security.

(1, 5)

19. Clothing

“Little active protest” has been received at the announcement that the coupons available on 12th October will have to last five and a half months, though in one Region working class people are said to feel “it is unfair as they can't afford to buy the best quality stuff”. Reports from one Region suggest that it is too early to assess the response to the promise of additional coupons for children, or industrial workers, though the latter are said to be awaiting the new arrangements “and hoping that it's more sensible than the last - and more fair”.

(2, 4, 5, 9, 13)

20. Food

Praise for the general food situation and for Lord Woolton's work continues to be reported from six Regions and Postal Censorship, though the volume of minor criticisms has increased this week with the announcement of the new milk restrictions.

New milk restrictions : The announcement that milk would be restricted to 3 pints per person per week on 30th August is reported by six Regions “to have come as a complete shock to many”; “real discontent at this drastic reduction so early in the Autumn, among people who do not generally grumble about food”, is reported from the Eastern Region. In the South Western Region where the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is regarded as a “serious disaster” the restrictions are attributed to this cause.

Sweets ration : Three Regions continue to report unfavourable comment on “the large stocks of sweets displayed in the shops since rationing began” and the retailers are thought “to have been too well treated”. On the other hand the increased ration is appreciated in reports from two Regions and from Postal Censorship.

Points rationing : “Limitation of the number of points available - intensified since the inclusion of biscuits” - is reported from five Regions to cause “dissatisfaction among housewives”.

Retailers' discriminations : Reference is made again to (a) “the unwillingness of grocers to sell fruit to people who grow their own vegetables and therefore do not need to buy them” (Two Regions), and (b) the independence of shopkeepers “who refuse to sell certain goods to unregistered customers”. (Two Regions)

(1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21 Aberdeen, Cambridge, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Nottingham P.C.s.)

21. Rumours

Two years ago, a popular spy story film depicted a dance band leader signalling to the enemy by picking out morse with his drums; following the general release of this film, rumours were reported from many parts of the country that Henry Hall, Charlie Kunz, and other eminent dance band leaders had been arrested as fifth columnists. Now, the film “Next of Kin” has apparently combined with the Dieppe raid to produce a similar crop of rumours.

First come stories of very heavy Dieppe casualties, our initial wave of troops was “completely mown down”, “90% of one Saskatchewan regiment were casualties”, “our tanks all got stuck in the mud”, “the Germans were ready for us”, and so on. Next, German prisoners are reported to have said “we knew you were coming four days ago” (the wife of a Canadian who did not go on the raid is quoted as the source of this story). Finally, there are stories of “advance information” circulating in this country. Two Canadian officers are said to have been court-martialed for giving away information. An R.A.F. officer told a man going to Oxford in the train that the raid was coming off. A shopkeeper at Okehampton knew about it some days ahead, having been told by soldiers in his shop. Finally, it has been pointed out that a newspaper advertisement for Sylvan soap-flakes appearing a week before the raid had the head-line “Beach Coat from Dieppe”, while on the opposite page was an advertisement headed “Be a Commando of Industry”.

The only other rumour which is widespread is the old story that the Ark Royal has been salvaged and is being repaired at a Northern port; this now comes from Regions 2, 4, 9 and 10.

One Region reports a rumour of a gentleman's agreement that neither we nor the enemy shall bomb the other's electric power stations.

The Germans are again said to be dropping cattle poison.

Matches are said to be going “on points”, and the tea and sugar rations are rumoured to be going to be reduced.

Once again, there are rumours that the Isle of Wight has been invaded.

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

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REFERENCES

D 75183-1 2,500 D/d R.79 7/42 P R P