A History of the Ministry of Information, 1939-46
SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE DIVISION WEEKLY REPORT
Copy No. 224
1. 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 an impartial assessment of the public's views and feelings about the war in general. It does not, therefore, imply any endorsement of comments which show the public to be ill-informed, prejudiced or inconsistent.
2. It is important to remember also that the public, as a rule, is more prone to express criticism than praise. Good work or efficiency is usually taken for granted. An accurate picture will therefore tend to be critical rather than laudatory. When a subject is not mentioned in this report, its absence indicates that it is not a matter of widespread criticism.
3. In assessing the state of public feeling there are no absolutes. Findings can only be comparative. Each individual issue of this report must therefore be read as part of 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 adopted in 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.
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Home Intelligence Division Weekly Report No. 85
SECRET
20th May, 1942
(Covering the period from 11th May to 18th May, 1942)
From next week, this report will be issued on Thursdays instead of on Wednesdays .
I. GENERAL COMMENTS
1. General state of confidence and reaction to news
This week there is no great change in public feeling. The rise in spirits is reported to have been maintained in eight Regions, and to have increased still further in four; confidence, optimism and expectancy appear to be widespread. This is said to be due primarily to Mr. Churchill's broadcast speech, according to reports from ten Regions. Secondary causes seem to be the “absence of major defeats”, the strength of Russian resistance in face of there newest German offensive and the postponement of the fuel rationing plan, but none of these is suggested in more than two Regions. One contrary factor has been the decline in the R.A.F's bombing offensive.
A tendency for people to be “mainly concerned with their own parochial affairs”, and not particularly interested in the war is reported from four Regions.
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21 P.C. all units)
2. The Prime Minister's broadcast, (Sunday 10th May)
Further reports confirm the “enthusiastic approval” of Mr. Churchill's speech mentioned last week. “Praise is practically unanimous”, and the speech is described as “the best of the war”, and as “his best ever”. Any doubts of his popularity are now said to have been swept away, his leadership being “once again accepted unquestionably”. Aspects of the speech which have aroused most comment include the following:-
-
“ Its confident optimism ”: The “tonic effect” of the speech and its cheering terms struck people most. “How grand it was not to hear about blood and tears and toil” is a typical reaction, and particular satisfaction was expressed at the fact that “it is now our turn to menace and threaten, and not Hitler's”. It is pointed out that “people believe Churchill to be no easy optimist, and have seized on his cautiously optimistic statements”, and four Regional reports refer to anxiety lest the public's increased cheerfulness may change into complacency. The speech “has added to the impression that the tide has turned in favour of the Allies”, and in three Regions the feeling is reported that “the war - at any rate as far as Germany is concerned, - may soon be over”.
-
The gas warning : Approval of the “gas warning to Germany” is widely reported; it is regarded as “simple realism”. Seven Regional reports, however, comment on the fact that there appears to have been no increase in gas-mask carrying, though in four Regions people are said to have taken their masks to be tested.
Mr. Churchill's speech at Leeds (16th May) : Reports on this have been received from only two Regions, but it is said to have caused “confident pleasure and approval”, the phrase “we can now see the top of the ridge” having been particularly noted.
(2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21 P.C. all units)
3. Russia and a second front
Nine Regions report that “the opening of the German offensive in the Crimea has again brought Russia to the forefront of people's minds”. In general, faith in the power of Russian resistance remains high, and there is said to be “considerable optimism that Russia can hold and probably defeat Germany” this year. Doubts are expressed about the veracity of Red Air Force figures of German aerial losses.
A second front : Although it appears to be “generally accepted that the material aid we have sent to Russia is considerable”, and “many people are now satisfied that we are doing all we can to help Russia”, the new German offensive is said to have given “advocates of the so-called second front their strongest argument”. Recent ministerial speeches - and particularly the Prime Minister's - have, however, “had the effect of reducing demands for a second front, because it is thought to be on the way towards establishment”. There is now more speculation over the nature of the means than the desirability of the end.
The communists : Communist activity continues, and in two Regions a “heavy increase in the membership of the communist party” is referred to. It is pointed out that “a third town in the Eastern Region is now claimed by the communists to have doubled the number of its party members; the communists themselves claim that the rise in membership is due to their championing of a second front”.
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
4. The Far East
Public interest in the Far Eastern situation has declined. The majority seem to be resigned to the loss of Burma, a suggested explanation being “that Burma is so remote and people are not familiar with the geography, and cannot visualise what is happening”. Surprise and “bitter comment” are reported from two Regions at the loss of much heavy equipment in our withdrawal from Burma.
There is some feeling that “a turning point is being reached in Japan's progress in the Far East”, and that we have “probably got the worst over now”. Many people are said to be convinced that “Japan will not be so very difficult to dispose of provided that the Germans can be finished off soon”. There is said to be a growing feeling that “we are developing air superiority in the South West Pacific”.
Coral Sea battle : The more hopeful feeling about the Far East is thought to have been encouraged by the battle in the Coral Sea, though “optimism is being held in check until the full result and our own losses are known”.
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
5. R.A.F. offensive
Speculation and “much adverse comment” are reported about the “slackening of our air attacks on Germany since the attacks on Stuttgart”. Although daylight sweeps over Northern France are “appreciated as showing that we are pushing back the air frontier, they do not evoke the same enthusiasm as a heavy bombing raid on Germany”. Among the possible reasons advanced for the absence of raids on Germany during the last week are:-
-
“A tacit understanding”.
-
“The increased effectiveness of enemy defence against air attack”.
-
“Our Air Force being less powerful than we have been led to believe”.
-
The weather.
(1, 2, 6, 8, 9)
6. Air raids on this country
Bath and Exeter : The people continue in good spirits; less trekking is reported this week, but exaggerated rumours of casualties and damage have not yet fully died down. The “News Chronicle” article criticising Exeter's post-blitz arrangements is said to have increased anxiety and fostered alarmist stories.
(7)
7. German proposals for a bombing truce
The public's reactions to proposals recently made on the German wireless for a bombing truce appear, from a special enquiry made on the subject, to be as follows:-
(a) Only a very few people have heard of the German proposals and little discussion of them has been reported.
(b) Among those who have heard of them, opinion in both raided and un-raided areas is said to be very strongly against any such suggestion. In fact, all classes of the public are “strongly in favour of bombing Germany on an ever increasing scale, despite the possibility of reprisals”.
The reasons for the rejection of any suggestion of a truce are, firstly, that we would be throwing away a supreme advantage (the German proposals being interpreted as a sign of the R.A.F's superiority over the Luftwaffe), and secondly, distrust of Germany's promises.
(c) A small minority regret - or even doubt - the necessity for “bombing workers' homes”.
(d) A very small minority, in which women predominate, are reported to favour a truce on humanitarian grounds.
(14 Northern, North Eastern, North Midland, Eastern, London, Southern, South Western, Wales, Midland, North Western, Scotland, South Eastern, Northern Ireland Regions)
8. France
Resentment with Vichy France continues to be strongly expressed. “A break with Vichy seems to be considered inevitable and would appear to be welcomed by most people”. Some irritation is reported at “the Government's continued allusions to our determination to put France back in a strong position in Europe, just at a time when we are feeling that we can never trust her again”.
Continued satisfaction is reported at “our taking over Madagascar”, and it is hoped that we shall seize bases in French North Africa.
Speculation and distrust on the question of General Giraud are reported from two Regions.
Martinique : Two main reactions - apparently somewhat conflicting - are reported over America's negotiations with the French Admiral at Martinique. These are:-
-
“Praise of the U.S.A. for maintaining a firm attitude”. (Five Regions)
-
“Bewilderment at America's exact position”; “slight irritation that she has not already emulated us over Madagascar, and inability to understand why there is all this parleying with Vichy”. (Four Regions)
(2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
9. Certain trends in public feeling
Trends in public feeling, to which we have referred in previous Home Intelligence reports, have been summed up by an observer in a special report on South West England. They are as follows:-
-
A complete and expressed unwillingness to make voluntary sacrifices, but an apparent readiness to face compulsory sacrifices without undue grumbling.
-
An expressed intention - often put into practice - to make as much money out of the war as permitted.
-
A lack of interest in the incidents of the war, more marked the further away those incidents are; this is combined with a certainty that the Allies will win the war.
-
Unanimous admiration for the Russian people, and an almost equally unanimous belief that the success of the Russian armies is due to the political system in that country.
-
A constant reiteration that “after the war things cannot be as they had been”. This shows itself in a “definite antagonism to the rich man and the party politician, and a tendency to put down all the pre-war ills, such as unemployment, to party politics”.
(32)
10. Post-war planning
Interest, described as “limited” in some Regions and “considerable” in others, continues to be shown in this subject. There is also said to be “a continued demand for clearer definition of the Government's intentions about reconstruction”. The general public are said to show no inclination to underestimate the magnitude of post-war reconstruction or the time it will take. Subjects raised in discussion include “the need for an occupying army in Europe after the war; the retention of men in the armed forces; the probable long continuance of rationing and high taxation; the need for controlling private building enterprise; and the grave problems which will arise among the native population of countries now over-run by Japan”.
According to a report from London Region, “many people take it for granted that there will be improved social conditions and opportunities after the war”, but some of the poorer people “do not believe that unemployment can be got rid of”. This fear of unemployment is reported from another Region as “a possible reason for the increased numbers of munition workers joining the Communist Party”.
(3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11)
11. Ministerial speeches
Mr. Herbert Morrison's speech at Blackpool (5th May) : Criticism of Mr. Morrison's remarks on the post-war treatment of Germans comes from six Regions, his references to “justice” having been taken as meaning “softness”. A minority feel that his statements have been misconstrued by the Press, and “might otherwise have been a useful antidote to the Vansittart school of thought”.
Sir Stafford Cripps' speech at Bristol (17th May) : Comment has been received from only three Regions so far, and this is mainly favourable. References to the second front aroused particular interest, and people are “glad that we are adopting some of the enemy's tactics of threatening and are indulging in a form of ‘war of nerves’”. Some disappointment was expressed on the grounds that the speech “contained nothing new”, and his voice was not liked as much as on former occasions.
Mr. Eden's speech at Edinburgh (8th May) : Further favourable reactions to this are reported from two Regions.
(2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21 Edinburgh P.C.)
12. Broadcasting and presentation of news
A continued decline in criticism of news presentation is reported, coupled with general appreciation of recent Ministerial postscripts; these are stated to be accepted by the public “as more serious pronouncements than the merely entertaining stuff put over by more or less nonentities for months past”.
Mr. James Urquhart : Some unfavourable comments about the new announcer are reported from four Regions; “he is found difficult to follow”, and some resemblance to “Haw Haw's” voice has again been detected. The view is expressed that “it is a Government attempt to see what success an enemy voice would be likely to achieve”. On the whole, “exaggerated pronunciations of any kind are disliked”.
“Hate training” schools : Further protests from three Regions are reported about the recent broadcast description of a British Battle Training School. This is alleged to have been received with disgust, especially by women, who “dislike the incitement to hate”. The following comment is said to be a typical one in Scotland: “How can you expect these lads to settle down after the war, and be content in the evenings with a book or a visit to the cinema?”
Home and European News services : Some difference of opinion is reported “as to whether people like the factual presentation of the Home News, or the propagandist version of our European Service”. Among the middle classes in the North-Western Region, a “substantial interest” in the European news is reported.
(1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 21, Edinburgh P.C.)
II. SPECIAL COMMENTS
13. Industry
The public appear to be increasingly satisfied with production, and there is relatively little comment on the subject this week.
Self interest : “A certain amount of gossip about managements putting private business first” continues. But there is also some reference to “the self interested motives” of war workers, some of whom, according to one report, “are continually thinking of post-war conditions and are therefore against stepping up production too much, lest they be expected to keep up that standard after the war”.
(3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 21, Glasgow P.C., 32)
14. Man and woman power
Renewed but not widespread criticism is reported on the two following points:-
-
That “well-to-do women” are not pulling their weight” and are able “to pull strings” to escape their obligations. It is said that many such women are “hiding behind a W.V.S. uniform”; hard working members of the W.V.S. are concerned that “a goodly number consider they are justified if they give an hour or two a week”.
-
That people called up for the services or essential work are not always employed “so as to make use of their special qualifications”.
(3, 6, 7, 10)
15. Proposed cuts in passenger train services
Although little interest appears to have been aroused throughout the country as a whole, reports from two Regions stress the fact that “workers who are far from their homes feel that they are entitled to join their families from time to time”. It is suggested that “it should be made clear that travelling for this purpose would be considered legitimate, whereas a family living united has no right to travel for their holiday, say to Torquay”.
As regards restricted holiday travel, however, the following two points are raised:-
-
That “many tired workers are just longing for a change particularly for a visit to the seaside, which would no doubt refresh them much more than a holiday at home”.
-
That the housewife will have “additional household duties, instead of a break, including the burden of the children during the whole of the school holidays”.
(3, 4, 10)
16. Food
While Lord Woolton “continues to receive bouquets for his handling of the food situation”, various comments and criticisms are still reported. The National bread, though in the main approved, is still widely held responsible for various internal complaints. It is also alleged that it does not keep.
Restaurant meals : General approval of the principle of the new proposal is reported; but there is a widespread feeling among people who cannot afford expensive meals out that “those who go to hotels and good restaurants still get the best of it”. (Eight Regions)
Oranges : Some dissatisfaction appears to exist over distribution of oranges, 190,000 cases of which were said to have been “kept till they went bad”. Shopkeepers are accused of preferential treatment, and there is some feeling that older children should be included in a more equitable scheme.
Doubts are expressed in one Region about the honesty of Government statements, made before the war, that oranges were essential to health. However, “they now state that we can get along perfectly well without them”. (Four Regions)
Sweet rationing : The rationing of sweets is approved; in one Region it is felt that this has been too long delayed. (Four Regions)
Points : Further criticism is reported that “the inclusion of more foods without a corresponding increase in the number of points ‘isn't playing the game’”. “Strong complaints” were made in the South Western Region about 12-point tins of tomatoes “which contained only two small tomatoes”. The “high points” value of certain foods, particularly salmon, continues to cause dissatisfaction. (Three Regions)
Eggs : Some discontent with the restricted supply of eggs is reported. Complaints come from two areas of delays of up to three weeks in collecting eggs from the farmers, “and further delays of two or three weeks before they are distributed from the packing stations”. It is asked whether this is due to a bad distribution system. In North Scotland, however, eggs are reported to be “plentiful”. (Three Regions)
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21 Edinburgh, Glasgow P.C.s)
17. Fuel Ration
“A general sigh of relief” is reported over the postponement of Sir William Beveridge's scheme. This was “generally thought unworkable”, and in some instances its deferment is being interpreted” as implying that the Government propose to drop fuel rationing altogether”. At the same time, fair control is desired, and a form of rationing which does not involve more books and coupons is regarded as “likely to be readily accepted.
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 21 Edinburgh P.C.)
18. Constant topics and complaints
Comments continue to be reported on:-
-
The shortage and high prices of crockery and hardware, household linen and furniture. (1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 21 York P.C.)
-
Non-collection or careless collection of salvage. (3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12)
-
The high price of green vegetables. (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11)
-
Hardships of pensioners, due to the high cost of living and the high price of tobacco. (3, 4, 8, 10)
-
Shopping difficulties of war workers, and the arrogance and discourtesy of shopkeepers and their assistants. (2, 6, 8, 10)
-
The inequality of sacrifice, both with regard to earnings and privilege. In this connection, the fact that “the R.A.F. should need a benevolent fund” is severely criticised. (4, 8, 10)
-
Anti-Semitism, in connection particularly with black markets. (8, 11, 21, Glasgow P.C.)
-
Careless talk. (4, 8, 9)
-
Nursery schools. (2, 5, 10)
-
The fuel shortage: coalmen are said to be giving short weight. (5, 10)
-
The youth and manners of Labour exchange interviewers. (6)
-
Billeting of war workers. (6)
-
Praise for utility clothing. (5)
19. Rumours
“Haw Haw” rumours of towns to be blitzed are declining, though exaggerated tales of damage and casualties continue. A strange story comes from Taunton of warnings being given to householders with much assurance, by air-raid wardens, that “something is going to happen to-night”. Nothing happened, and the assurance of the wardens was much criticised.
(4, 7)