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SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT
Copy No. 249

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.

P.T.O.

687 691 5 692 6 693 7 694 8 695 9 697 11

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Home Intelligence Division Weekly Report No. 105
SECRET

8th October, 1942

(Covering the period from 29th September to 6th October 1942)

I. GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

No marked alteration in public spirits has been reported since last week. Where - as in the case of three Regions - a slight change has been noticed, it seems to have been in the direction of a greater hopefulness, as a result of Stalingrad's continued resistance. Stalingrad, in the words of one report, has “almost become an obsession”, and the battle for it continues to dominate people's interest, almost to the exclusion of other war news.

Admiration for the city's defenders and amazement at their endurance have, if anything, increased. As the Edinburgh Postal Censorship points out, “Praise of the Russians ... is in every letter”. Desire to do more to help them, stimulated by M. Stalin's statement of last week, conflicts with the realisation of what continental invasion would cost, which the Prime Minister' revelation of the Dieppe casualties has brought home to many people.

Some complacency and lack of urgency continue to be reported, as well as a kind of passive expectancy described as “waiting for the next move”.

On the home front a good deal of discussion is reported about the following topics:-

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 16. 21 Aberdeen, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester P.Cs. 29)

2. Russia

The public's feelings about the Russian front, and about Stalingrad in particular, appear on the whole to be the same as were reported last week, with a slightly greater hope that the city may hold fast until Marshal Timoshenko can relieve it. Admiration for the defenders is, if anything, higher than ever, and is described as “probably greater than has been expressed for any other happening of the war”. According to one report, the defenders are being “used as a shame-making example whenever petty annoyances or grouses are aired”.

Whatever the fate of Stalingrad, however, long-term confidence in the power of Russian resistance remains high, except in the case of a few who “question whether, after the strain of meeting the German onslaught, the Russians can or will maintain the fight”.

The second front : While shame and disappointment that we are apparently giving Russia so little help continue to be widespread there is still reported to be a considerable division of opinion on the question of a second front. Increased discussion is almost everywhere reported and conflicting points of view have been given fresh impetus by recent public statements. Those who advocate the speedy opening of a second front appear in many cases to have renewed their demands as a result of M. Stalin's replies to Mr. Henry Cassidy's questions: whereas the Prime Minister's statement about the Dieppe casualties has supported the view of those who dread the heavy losses likely to result from a premature attempt, and who feel that the decision must be left to “those who know”.

Other reported points of view include:-

Paul Winterton's cabled article in the News Chronicle : Mr. Winterton's article, published on 23rd September, is reported to have caused a considerable amount of unfavourable comment on the help we are giving to Russia. His remarks about the publication, “British Ally” have caused regret because of “the unfortunate impression this paper is said to have created in Russia”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 21 Leeds, Manchester P.Cs. 29)

3. M. Stalin's replies to Mr. Cassidy's questions

A special enquiry was sent to all Regional Information Officers to discover how much public interest had been aroused by M. Stalin's remarks, with the following results; these are arranged in order of the frequency with which they were mentioned:-

(2. 6. 7. 10. 11. 12. 14 Northern, North Eastern, North Midland, Eastern, London, Southern, South Western, Wales, Midland, North Western and Scottish Regions)

4. Egypt

Interest in this front remains at a low level, except in areas and among families from which men of the Eighth Army come. In Scotland interest is said to be increasing, following the capture of strong points in the Deir el Munassib area, but elsewhere impatience at the lull on this front continues to be reported, and some “anxiety and bewilderment” as to “why some decision is so long in being reached”. Doubts are expressed as to “whether Rommel ever intended to sweep through Egypt, and whether he is not just ‘sitting pretty’, having got us bottled up where he wants us to be”. His ability to leave Egypt to attend a Nazi function in Germany is commented on.

(1. 2. 4. 5. 7. 8. 9. 10. 12. 13)

5. The Far East

“Satisfaction caused by the turn of events” in the Far East is reported this week, though interest continues at a low level. The Allied offensive is described as “heartening”, but the sudden Japanese withdrawal has given rise in some quarters to “uneasiness” and “fears that our troops are being lured into a trap”; people are “wary of accepting advances as victories, because they have been disappointed so often before”.

(1. 2. 4. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11)

6. Madagascar

Though very little comment is reported, our action in Madagascar continues to be “approved”. Satisfaction at what is called “our more realistic attitude to Vichy” is reported, and some surprise is expressed that we are meeting with opposition” from the French.

(1. 7. 8. 10. 12)

7. Enemy air raids on this country

Expectation of raids : Discussion of this topic is reported from nine Regions, and although reprisal raids are generally accepted as inevitable, and people are “ready to face things”, some dread is expressed of what the coming winter will bring.

Daylight raids are reported from two districts to cause more anxiety and annoyance than night raids, and to have had the effect of strengthening public resistance.

Incendiary bombs : There is still discussion and some uneasiness about how to tackle these bombs, but this uneasiness is notably less among those who have attended or taken part in demonstrations. The film, “A new fire bomb”, when shown in Bristol, received the most concentrated attention.

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

8. The Allied air offensive

Although the bombing of Germany is now almost accepted as a routine, great interest in our air offensive is reported from nine Regions, and belief is expressed that we are “hitting the Germans hard”. There are fewer demands for thousand bomber raids and people are content to know that the R.A.F. “gets on with it”; on the other hand one report says the raids are “still few and far between compared with what people were led to hope for”.

Photographs in the press comparing the state of targets before and after raids are reported by one Region to give the utmost satisfaction.

A renewed demand for the bombing of Berlin and Italy is reported from two Regions.

(1. 2. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 12)

9. The Dieppe casualties

The Prime Minister's statement in the House of Commons about the casualties at Dieppe is said to have been received with “shock”, “misgiving” and “astonishment”, and to have confirmed the belief of many people that the raid was a failure, whose expense the results did not justify. “The explanation of the apparent discrepancy between official accounts of the Dieppe losses from Canadian and British sources is regarded as unsatisfactory”, according to reports from three Regions.

Rumours continue to be reported that people on both sides of the Channel knew about the raid days beforehand; according to one story, coming from Tunbridge Wells, “on the night before the raid, the Ritz cafe was full of drunken Canadian soldiers celebrating and talking about invading the Continent the next day”.

In the Isle of Wight various repercussions of the raid are said to persist, “due to the talk by Commando troops who have returned to the island. The general impression given by these men is that the raid was a complete and tragic failure. Men are said to have come back with their nerves shattered by the massacre they had witnessed”.

(2. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 11. 12. 29)

10. Hitler's and Goering's speeches

These do not seem to have roused more than a passing interest. Neither Hitler nor Goering was thought to have sounded as “self-assured” as usual, and it is felt that “things may not be going as well with their plans as they had hoped”, and that their speeches indicated “a deterioration in the state of affairs in Germany”. In view of Hitler's somewhat “apologetic note”, it is suggested that the Government has missed an opportunity in not issuing an “analysis of his speech in plain terms”.

“The fact that Goering was compelled to take the R.A.F. raids so seriously is considered as complete confirmation of their value from our point of view”, and his threats have apparently not had much effect.

(1. 2. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11. 12. 13)

11. The Church and reconstruction

A good deal of interest in the speeches of the Archbishops and of Sir Stafford Cripps is mentioned in some reports, but this interest seems to be confined mainly to the “religiously - or politically-minded”. Reactions can be “roughly divided into two sections:- (i) Those who want things to remain as they are argue that the Church ought not to have any say in politics and that the Archbishops know nothing about economics anyway: (ii) Many of the ‘thinking public’, are said to applaud the speeches as expressing the things that many people have been groping towards, and to feel that the Church is at last taking its proper place in supporting the poor and oppressed”.

Many non-churchmen are said to have “received the Albert Hall pronouncements rather sceptically”, as evidence that “the Church is trying to come in on the right side”. To the masses of the working classes and the young, the Church is said to be “part of the world of privilege, or something which touches their lives nowhere. It does not speak with the voice of their aspirations, nor express what they feel but cannot get across”.

(2. 5. 6. 7. 8)

12. Lord Lovat and Lord Strabolgi

“Although in some quarters Lord Strabolgi's strictures on the British High Command are thought to be justified, there is a fairly widespread feeling that it was a dirty trick to spread an impression of our inefficiency in the U.S. at this difficult stage of the war”. Lord Lovat's “popularity as a Commando, and Lord Strabolgi's unpopularity in some circles”, are said to have turned against the latter even those who felt that “he was probably right in what he said”. Some have suggested that he ought to be interned, and that the Censorship ought never to have passed the article. Surprise has been expressed at “the association of Quentin Reynolds with the publication of the article, since he is considered to be one of our best friends”.

(2. 5. 6. 11)

13. Broadcasting and presentation of news

People on the whole appear to be fairly well satisfied with news presentation, and once more little criticism is reported. There are, however, more references to a growing preference for the European News Service, and to people listening only to the summary at the beginning of the news bulletins.

In contrast to last week, there have been hardly any references to individual broadcasts or speeches.

U.S. Atlantic troopship convoy : The presentation of the denial of the recent German claims to have sunk three U.S. troopships, is criticised in reports from four Regions. It was thought to have been too brief and uninformative to produce “satisfaction and conviction”, and it was felt that the reports should have had far more prominence in view of the publicity given to the German claims. On the other hand, reports from Wales express satisfaction with the B.B.C. denial which is considered to have been “well-timed”.

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

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

14. Fuel Economy

Discussion of this subject, which is on much the same lines as were reported last week, is intensified, possibly by the approach of winter. Though there is evidence of great willingness to economise, this is combined with bitter criticism of the Government for allowing such an acute crisis to develop: “There has been too much propaganda and not enough definite action”. From four Regions the feeling is reported that the situation could be met by the return of miners to the pits, and there is criticism of the recruitment of untrained men while trained miners remain in the Army. One report states that the news of the release of some miners from the Services has helped to promote greater fuel saving efforts.

Hotels, factories, public buildings, offices and military premises are still thought to account for a great deal of waste, and “if economies were made in these directions, the small consumers would never have to accept this hardship”. It is also considered that domestic fuel economy will not affect so great a saving as could be obtained by more drastic restrictions of the large users of fuel. Of the number of lights in public houses and hotels some miners are reported to say, “If they can use all this fuel we can take time off work”.

Central heating : The ban on central heating until November has brought many protests, the effect of cold schools on young children being mentioned particularly. The difference in temperature between the north and the south is also pointed out, as is the possible effects of cold on output in factories. Two Regions report a belief that the order is being evaded in some factories and Government and municipal offices, and that too many people are thought to be burning fires.

Rationing of fuel : Reports from seven Regions raise the question of rationing. It is felt by many that this is the only way to effect an equitable distribution of fuel, particularly in areas, where supplies are difficult to get and where there is little storage room; but it is pointed out that a scheme which does not take individual needs into consideration will cause great hardship. One Region reports that the “minority favour rationing but the man-in-the-street seems certain that no fair rationing scheme could be introduced”.

Government advertisements and Fuel Flashes : Much of the present publicity is said to be thought childish and an insult to those who have “been economical all their lives”, and it is considered that the most sensible plan would be to tell the public plainly just how serious the fuel situation is; on the other hand, one report says that the advertisements are stimulating public interest in the campaign.

Opinions of Fuel Flashes seem to be equally divided: “Mr. Grisewood's Fuel Flashes help to make people appreciate the need for economy”: “Impertinence - people who put forward economy hints have no idea of the way the man-in-the-street lives”.

Paraffin and candles : The high fuel unit value of paraffin is still causing some dismay in rural areas; and with regard to candles, it is hoped that these may be reserved for those for whom they are a necessity.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 21 Birmingham, Glasgow, Inverness, Manchester, Reading, P.Cs., 29. 32.)

15. Women's Fireguard Order

While some reports have been received that the registration of women for firewatching is proceeding satisfactorily, from Edinburgh and in some London Boroughs there are complaints of long queues for registration last weekend. In London especially, women are reported to have waited as long as two hours, and this was believed to be due to the “chaotic” arrangements whereby “young inexperienced clerks” were recruited to help registration while the services of experienced volunteers were refused. Many women are reported to be claiming exemption from firewatching, and in some districts it is hoped that there will be a check up on those who are believed “not to have bothered to have registered at the week-end”.

Criticism of the scheme as a whole appears to be decreasing, though in the Northern Region there is still evidence of unwillingness on the part of some women, and in Liverpool opposition to the scheme has apparently become a matter of “civic dignity”. In the Eastern Region the scheme is still referred to as a “major talking point”.

Complaints of the scheme follow familiar lines:-

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 29. 21 Birmingham, Manchester P.Cs.)

16. Transport

Transport difficulties, which are referred to in the Northern Region as “a real trouble”, are reported from nine Regions this week. In the South Western Region, however, they are said “not to have been such a noticeable factor” and in Scotland people are said to be “becoming resigned to uncomfortable travel”.

There are the familiar comments on (a) Overcrowding during rush hours. It is felt that “non-workers not tied to hours must be kept off”. In Scotland, “the system of priority bus tickets is approved. (b) Special buses for workers and school children, “running empty; they refuse to pick up passengers wishing to travel in the direction the vehicles are taking”.

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

17. Man and woman power

Feeling about “the inequalities of the call-up” is again reported from seven Regions, and by Postal Censorship. Points raised are on familiar lines and may be summarised as follows:- (a) “A comb-out” should be made among young men and women in the civil service which it is felt should set a good example”. (Four Regions) Failure in this respect is alleged against the Ministries of Aircraft production, Food, Health, Information and Labour. It is also alleged that the civil service lacks urgency and is over-staffed: “Women civil servants in Harrogate are complaining bitterly of having little to do and are doing a phenomenal amount of knitting”.

It is suggested that a comb-out should also be made among young men in industry. (Two Regions) To quote from Postal Censorship: “We have a lot of young men here who should be away - really, I never saw such shirkers; all go with great stories when they have to appear for examination - they give too many exemptions”.

Evasion of their responsibilities is also charged against “numerous young and fit girls who seem able to get away with it and are still apparently unoccupied - spending their time having morning coffee”. (Two Regions) Included in this allegation are young wives of Servicemen with no domestic responsibilities. (Two Regions)

In the Southern Region it is suggested that “the public generally is not convinced that the thousands of women called up for the Auxiliary Services are being usefully employed”.

Domestic help : The shortage of domestic servants is said to be forcing women to stay at home and “surrender vital work to the claims of household duty”.

(1. 2. 4. 5. 6. 8. 10. 11. 21 Aberdeen, Manchester, Special P.Cs.)

18. Industry

There again seems to be little discussion of production this week; “vague stories of slackness due to managerial inefficiency” are, however, reported by four Regions, the only works specified being those of Vickers Armstrong at Barrow and Metrovick at Trafford Park.

Other matters referred to are: (i) “Tiredness amongst women who are working in factories and also running their homes”. There is some criticism of “the policy of allowing over-long hours of work: longer hours do not mean more work done”. (Three Regions) (ii) Shopping difficulties: “shops are closing earlier” and lunch hour closing is again criticised. (Two Regions) (iii) Bitterness against workers who strike for higher pay; this is said to be felt especially among families with relatives in the Services. (One Region)

Agitation against the transfer of Scottish girls to England is said to continue. To quote from Postal Censorship: “Those rats of Englishmen are hauling all the good Scots lassies away down into factories that have been built since the war started when there is plenty of empty good, if not better, factories this side of the border”. According to the report from the Midland Region, there is also said to be “some friction, with resultant bad effect on production, through Scotch labour and Midland labour not understanding each other's outlook and through the lack of humour on the part of the Scotch. Apparently whole shops ‘took sides’ when even one or two workers failed to see each other's point of view”.

(1. 3. 4. 5. 7. 9. 10. 13)

19. Wages and pay

Satisfaction at “something being done to improve Service pay and allowances” - and dissatisfaction at “the sixpence a day insult” - are both reported again this week. Other points raised are that: (i) “The system of hardship allowances denotes charity”. It is suggested that “a new name for the Assistance Board is desirable”. (ii) There has been “delay in paying out extra money promised to dependants, although the War Service Grants have been cut down to allow for this increase”. (iii) More information should be given to people “about Army allowances, the general procedure for applying for them, and explanations of any changes”. (iv) The increases for junior officers are inadequate; “great hardship arises in the event of a long illness in the family as the ten pound grant means nothing in that case”. (v) There is criticism of the pay of civil servants and local Government employees being made up when they join the Forces: “This money is taken partly from the wives of Servicemen who are in a less fortunate position”.

Unfavourable comparisons continue to be made between the pay of:-

Concern is again expressed at the possible effect on juveniles of the high wages paid to them.

(2. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. 10. 11)

20. U.S. troops in Great Britain

Reports continue to indicate that, on the whole, U.S. troops are “settling down amicably, despite a few grumbles on both sides”.

From three Regions clashes between white and coloured U.S. troops are reported, and a stabbing incident at Antrim is said to have, had “an important effect on public opinion” in acting as a deterrent to offering hospitality.

An incident is reported from Swindon of an American officer requesting special facilities for U.S. soldiers in a barber's shop as “they were not allowed to use English saloons because they picked up diseases there”.

Complaint is made in one report of the inadequate billeting arrangements made for three thousand U.S. troops visiting Glasgow on short leave. This apparently resulted in overcharging as well as over-crowding, and the public, “who considered this disgraceful”, are said to have “heaped obloquy on the authorities concerned”.

From the Scottish Region there is also a report of girls lining up outside a local cinema and asking American soldiers to pay for their seats.

From the Eastern Region it is reported that “the high pay of the U.S. troops is still very much in people's minds”.

(4. 5. 6. 7. 10. 11. 13. 21 Cardiff, Inverness, Reading P.Cs.)

21. Food

Satisfaction with the food situation and praise for Lord Woolton continue to be reported.

Adverse criticisms of the situation include:-

The bad keeping qualities of National Bread and flour are commented on in three Regions, and in the Eastern Region “instructions are wanted for ways of preventing National Bread and flour from turning sour”.

From the North Midland Region comes the complaint that “the Ministry of Food announced that ‘Food Facts’ leaflets could be obtained by the public from Citizens' Advice Bureaux; but local C.A.Bs. had received no leaflets, nor could Local Food Offices be of assistance”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11. 12. 21 Bristol, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Carlisle, Glasgow, Leeds P.Cs.)

22. Petrol

Although apparently less widespread and less intense, references to the use of petrol continue along the same lines as those reported last week and allegations made may be summarised as follows:-

(2. 4. 5. 6. 7. 10. 13)

23. Clothing coupons for industrial workers

Appreciation of the extra allocation of clothing coupons for industrial workers is reported from two Regions; but in the North Eastern Region there are complaints that the number is inadequate for miners to whom about four pairs of pit pants (5 coupons a pair) and two pairs of pit boots (four coupons a pair) are “absolutely essential every year”.

(2. 5. 12)

24. Careless talk

Careless talk is reported from five Regions this week (as against three Regions last week). Offenders specifically mentioned are: (i) Servicemen and transport drivers, “for references to troop movements” (ii) dock labourers (iii) “the Free French at Dolphin Square” (iv) politicians and statesmen “in their speeches”.

(2. 4. 5. 6. 12)

25. Rumours

From five Regions come rumours this week about the imminence of a second front, though no details are given. The reports, which in some cases come from more than one source in the same Region, all agree that “something big is going to happen”. In three cases (reported from Cheltenham) next week is suggested as the time when this event will take place.

(5. 7. 9. 10. 12)

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REFERENCES

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