139

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence Division No. 78
Copy No. 212

1st April, 1942

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.

140 141 2 142 3 143 4 144 5 148 9

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Home Intelligence Division Weekly Report No. 78

1st April, 1942

(Covering the period from 23rd to 30th March, 1942)

Note: The figures in brackets refer to sources of information, a list of which was issued with all reports up to and including No. 66, 7th January, 1942.

I GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

There appears this week to be a slight though definite rise in confidence and public spirits: this is referred to by eight R.I.Os. The reasons for this are not clear-cut; among those given are the Production debate, the heavy R.A.F. raids, the St Nazaire attack, the weather, and “a general air of expectancy”. But there are still reports of an “unsettled, bewildered and critical” attitude. Two R.I.Os again refer to “apathy”, a contributory cause of which is said to be irritability with “the Government's lack of push in prosecuting the war”. “Considerable sections of the public” are said to regard the war “as something remote, and to have lost a feeling of personal identification in the struggle”. A marked disinclination to discuss it has again been noted in one Region, “particularly among young people”: interest at the news of recent Allied actions being described as “spasmodic and short-lived”.

Signs that “inspiration and leadership and, above all, action are urgently desired”, come from the reports of five R.I.Os. Welcome continues to be given to the Government promise of “a more intensive effort and more austere way of life, but there is a widespread fear that it may be only ‘a little spurt’, and that ‘normal lethargic departmental machinery’ will hold things up”.

The Prime Minister's speech at Caxton Hall : Moderate interest is reported in Mr. Churchill's speech. His reference to the worsening position in the Atlantic was chiefly noted, and there is some comment over his prediction of successes which, according to one R.I.O. “is thought to have been more optimistic than the tone expected from Mr. Churchill”. It is still thought that he is “carrying too much on his own shoulders”.

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

2. The Far East

The situation in the Far East appears on the whole to have been little discussed during the past week. There has been some criticism of “our policy of dispersal”, and of “defending untenable places with inadequate forces, which were reinforced only in time for the reinforcements to be lost too”.

Australia : Great confidence in General MacArthur is reported by eight R.I.Os; his appointment is even described as one of the best Allied moves of the war. The public “do not think the Japs will be able to capture Australia”; on the other hand, Australia's growing “Americanisation” is often commented on, without concern.

Some resentment against Mr. Curtin and the Australian Press is again mentioned, but admiration for the all-out effort of the Commonwealth is also shown.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21, 32)

3. India : Considerable interest in the Indian situation is reported. Sir Stafford Cripps' mission is felt to have been prompted by “imaginative statesmanship”. But the serious and delicate nature of his task seems to be appreciated only “by the very small section of the public with intimate knowledge of Indian affairs”. The whole problem is said to be “far too complicated for the British working man to understand”. Some feeling is also expressed that “as Dominion status was obviously indicated, it is a pity we couldn't have got a move on long ago”.

(2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16)

4. Russia : Though admiration for the Russians seems undiminished, comment on their activities is declining. It is noted that German counter-attacks are increasing in strength and it is feared that as a result the Russians' difficulties will grow, and the continuation of their successes is now “hoped for rather than confidently expected”.

(1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12)

5. Libya and the Mediterranean

The slight increase of interest in this theatre of war, which was reported last week, appears to continue. Four R.I.Os mention a belief that “Rommel will move first”, and it is thought by some that the Allied leaders tend to under-estimate him. “It is felt that he has been able to obtain heavy reinforcements, and that there will be rapid developments in Libya, and possibly the Near East generally”.

Though there has been little comment, some satisfaction has been noted at Rear-Admiral Vian's action against the Italian fleet. The news is said to have been at first received “with some caution”. One R.I.O. reports “shock that we had to send destroyers after battleships”.

(1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10)

6. U.S.A .

There is still some impatience with what is felt to be lack of effective action by the United States, but the realisation is expressed that U.S. and British navies have “done well to get troops to Australia from the U.S. and the Middle East”. The recent attacks on Wake and Marcus Islands are said, by two R.I.Os, to have inspired hope.

(2, 6, 10)

7. “ Desire for a second front ”

M. Maisky's call to the Allies “to stake all this year” is said to be supported by the public's desire for offensive action “on all fronts”. It is felt that “a purely defensive strategy is getting us nowhere, and that we have still got to do some attacking on Germans, as well as on Japanese”. In this connection a feeling is reported from two Regions, that we intend “to do something in a big way”, which is generally thought to mean “a grand scale invasion of the continent”. This notion is supported by rumours of “fifteen Divisions, and hundreds of invasion barges” concentrated on the South and East coasts. These stories are thought to be confirmed by “the more reassuring note” in leading articles in the Press, adding to the “general sense of expectancy”.

(3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

8. Invasion

Sir John Anderson's recent statement on the role of civilians in the event of invasion is said to have had a mixed reception. While the “stand firm” policy is thought to be much more practical than the order to “stay put”, there is some feeling, particularly amongst responsible people, that “the new instructions are far from sufficient”. Some feeling is also reported that Civil Defence workers and the police should be armed.

At the same time, it appears that the majority of people do not think there is much possibility of invasion.

Local Defence Committees : There seems to be some feeling that there has been much unnecessary delay in forming these Committees, due mostly to “jealousy in high places”. From the South Western Region, where interest in invasion is said to have been stimulated by Mr. Denis Freeman's talks, the following criticisms are made of Local Defence Committees, “which have been in existence for six months”.

The role of women : The R.I.O. Scotland, reports that country women are constantly referring to the example of Russian women, and are anxious to take an active part in the event of invasion. It is pointed out that “a basket of hand grenades is no heavier than a basket of turnips”. The feeling is mentioned that officialdom takes no cognizance of women as a potential force, but is governed by the old idea of “fighting to protect our womenfolk”.

(2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 32)

9. Broadcasting and Presentation of News

Seven R.I.Os report continued dissatisfaction with the presentation of news, and there is still said to be “a cry for the whole truth”. Reasons for suspecting that “straight news” is being withheld are beliefs in:-

European News Service : Three R.I.Os mention a preference for this “more cheerful and aggressive” service “which makes one sure we're winning, whereas the Home News service is so dreary it makes one think we're losing”.

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

10. Freedom of the Press

“A sharp division of opinion” over Mr. Morrison's warning to the Daily Mirror continues to be reported. The view is widely held that the Mirror is a “dirty little rag”, but “the distinction drawn by the Government between legitimate criticism and subversive attacks upon the war effort” is thought by some people to be invalid.

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

11. The Services

The R.A.F .: The renewed R.A.F. offensive has been greeted with satisfaction, although two R.I.Os report disappointment that “in spite of favourable weather conditions we have not been bombing Germany as heavily as our political and service leaders have led us to expect”. Approval for the bombing of Lübeck is reported. This, it is thought, “must be a great help to the Russians”. “The photographs of the results of the Cologne raids have done much to dispel a feeling that the actual results of our raids on industrial Germany have not been so effective as the undetailed communiqués suggest”.

The Army : Satisfaction is reported by one R.I.O. at the formation of the Army Air Corps and the regiment of glider pilots. These innovations are said to give a feeling “that we are adapting ourselves to the conditions necessary for modern war”.

(2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11)

12. St. Nazaire Raid

So far, only four regional reports have been received. Three R.I.Os report praise for what is described as “a very good job of work” which has “captured the public's imagination”. Criticism has been made, however, of the delay in the release of the news and of its “patchy” presentation.

(5, 8, 11, 14 North Western)

Grantham By-election

This election is mentioned by three R.I.Os as having been “watched with interest” by “thinking people”. It is stated that its result “is taken by some as an indication of the shape of things to come”.

(4, 5, 6)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

14. Industry

Dissatisfaction with production appears to be less intense than it has been for the past month, though it is still reported in one form or another by 12 R.I.Os.

Debate on production : Two R.I.Os mention Mr. Lyttelton's “straightforward speech” as a cause of general satisfaction; according to the R.I.O., North Midland, “complaints about production have diminished considerably since the speech, as is always the case when a grievance is well aired in Parliament, and there are signs of action”. Particular pleasure has been expressed at Mr. Lyttelton's statement that “his mind will be closed to no suggestions, however revolutionary”, and there is said to be a “strong demand that wages, prices and profits should be stabilised - as is believed to have been done in Australia, Canada and the U.S.A. - as the first step towards total war on the Home Front”.

Lack of mutual confidence between workers and managements : “Loss of production is again blamed by men on managements, and by managements on men”. As was mentioned in our last Report, the men are chiefly accused of absenteeism, while the managements are criticised on account of the cost plus ten per cent system, considering their post-war position, inefficiency and failure to explain to the workers the reasons for hold-ups.

Absenteeism : The R.I.O., Scotland, writes: “The Government's new stringent measures against absenteeism are being badly received (according to preliminary reports); many workers believe that their presence or absence does not materially affect the war, owing to lack of materials or to bad organisation inside the factories. It is thought that in most cases, disciplinary measures are poor remedies”.

The following factors are again mentioned by several R.I.Os as being thought to cause absenteeism:

Essential Work Order : Two R.I.Os refer to some dissatisfaction with the working of this Order. In one case there is reported to be a “growing demand for heavier penalties for offences against the Order”. At the same time it is pointed out that “no attempt should be made to tighten up discipline without parallel measures designed to bring managements under control. It is argued that workers will not greatly improve their efforts in war production until there has been a drastic reorganisation of relations between employers and workmen, bringing employers quite as obviously under control” as are workers under the Essential Work Order.

Excess profits tax and coal production : There appears to be some belief that “Excess Profits Tax is a very important factor in limiting output”. It is believed, for instance, that “once a colliery has earned its pre-war standard of profits, it is, in fact, presenting every additional ton of coal mined to the Government as a free gift and is stripping itself of its main asset”.

Wasted work : Two R.I.Os and one Local Information Committee report disquiet on the part of workers at the scrapping of products after they have been manufactured in considerable quantities, particularly when no explanation is given to the workers as to why this is done. A case is also mentioned of workers in a Clydebank factory who complain that the shells they made nearly a year ago are still unfinished; they are “incredulous of the explanation that lack of materials has held up these shells so long”.

Women's call-up : Complaints are reported from Wales that “women conscripted for national service are not being absorbed as quickly as the occasion demands”. In the Eastern Region surprise is reported at the announcement, that, in the middle of February, there were 62,000 unemployed women and girls in the country, though there is an acute shortage of domestic labour.

Women steel workers : “The introduction of women in the iron and steel factories appears to have proved a great success”, according to the R.I.O., North Midland Region. The staff manager at “one of the largest iron and steel works in the country” is quoted as saying that he “has yet to find a job which women could not do, and that they often prove better workers than men and the men have to ‘buck up their ideas’ to keep pace with them”. It is also stated that the number of break-downs in the machinery had decreased since the women took them over, because of their lighter touch”. Some men are still said to “resent the intrusion” (as mentioned in our Reports, 17th December, 1941, and 18th March, 1942), but the majority “sensibly regard them as necessary for the prosecution of the war”.

(2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 32)

15. Food

“Spontaneous approval of the Ministry of Food and its work” is again reported this week, and there is little evidence of grumbling about the food situation.

Points rationing : The public seem prepared for everything to be rationed, and are hoping that the points system, “which makes it fair for everybody”, will be used.

Four R.I.Os mention complaints by women workers that women who are free all day can “scoop up unrationed foods”. There is also some comment on the high prices of unrationed foods, which “only people with plenty of money can afford to buy”.

Luxury feeding : The impending reduction in rations in the home is said to be giving “a great impetus to the outcry against the meals still being served in hotels and restaurants to those who can pay for them”. The R.I.O., Scotland, reports that “drastic limitations of the amount that one may spend on a meal are being called for”.

(2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 31 Carlisle, Nottingham P.C.s)

16. Fuel Rationing

There are still few reported comments on the proposal to ration fuel, though there appears to be some feeling that “the coal business has been badly handled, if the only commodity we have abundance of in this country is in short supply”. The following minority reactions are, however, mentioned:

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

17. Petrol restrictions

Further reports indicate that “the public have accepted the abolition of the basic ration with good grace, regarding it as necessary”. Some apprehension is, however, expressed by people living in rural districts who feel that the cut will fall more heavily on them, as “often shopping is relatively difficult without a car”.

At the same time, it is pointed out that, while civilians are willing to “do their bit in putting up with hardships and making sacrifices”, great indignation is caused by instances such as that where “700 Civil Defence Workers from rural districts in Suffolk travelled by cars and buses to Framlingham for a film show which, in the end, did not take place”. Dissatisfaction is also reported at alleged waste by the N.F.S. and the Services.

(1, 3, 4, 5, 8)

18. The Waste Paper Salvage Order

In two Regions there is said to have been a good response to the waste paper order, and less paper is to be seen in the streets. The following points, however, are said to be causing a good deal of discussion:

(a) Advertising waste : It is thought that “much paper is wasted on advertising space in the press. As many of the commodities advertised are unobtainable, much of this advertising is thought to indicate evasion of Excess Profits Tax”.

(b) Government waste : Three R.I.Os report criticism of the Government for extravagance either in the size or the number of the forms which are issued to the public:

(1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15)

19. Warship Weeks

“Reactions from several districts, particularly the East End, indicate that the processions in connection with London's Warship Week, have been much appreciated, and their heartening effect was considerable”. A number of unfavourable reactions or questioning comments to Warship Weeks in general are, however, reported.

(a) It is asked why the Government does not “conscript the wealth under the powers they possess”, rather than “appeal so expensively to the public”.

(b) There is much criticism of the waste of petrol involved. “Tractors, lorries, Bren gun carriers, searchlight batteries, civil defence vehicles, all moving slowly in low gear may be propaganda, but must make heavy inroads on petrol supplies”.

(c) There is also criticism of the waste of time involved. “It is said that in some cases the already over-worked local authorities have co-operated only grudgingly, and were glad to see the end of the week”.

(d) It is asked how much these “mammoth. targets” really mean, and there is a growing public suspicion that “big firms just transfer shares to look patriotic and put up the figures”.

(e) “Concern is felt at the amount of paper necessary for the publicity”.

(f) It is said that “the maximum effect is not achieved owing to savers who have already attained the maximum of 500 War Savings Certificates being unwilling to invest in long-term bonds”.

(1, 5, 8, 32)

20. Black markets and anti-Semitism

The severe sentences now being passed on black marketeers seem to have met with approval. Action against them is thought to have led “to a keener desire on the part of the public to co-operate cheerfully in the rationing system”.

Three R.I.Os refer to anti-Semitism this week. It is attributed chiefly to “the number of Jews appearing before the Courts over black market dealings”, and to “the presence of Jews in hotels and restaurants where expensive meals are to be bought”.

(8, 9, 10, 12)

21. Rumours

Fewer rumours are reported this week. One from the North Midland Region is that the tax on beer and cigarettes is to be increased.

From the London Region comes a rumour that between 1,700 and 1,800 men of the Rifle Brigade have been killed in Lybia.

From Glasgow is reported the story of an invasion of the Isle of Wight in which some prisoners were said to have been taken.

(3, 5, 11)

22. Constant topics and complaints

There are continued complaints about the following subjects:-

(2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21 Nottingham P.C.)