172 175 4 176 5 178 7 181 10

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Home Intelligence Division Weekly Report No. 75 .

11th March, 1942 .

(Covering period from 2nd March to 9th 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

Public feeling, which was reported last week to be in a confused and unsettled condition, now appears to be calmer and less agitated, and even, in some respects, less critical. The greater uniformity of mood reflected in R.I.Os' reports, however, is coupled with the suggestion that the majority have settled down into a state of frustration, apathy, and war-weariness. It is stated that, “with the exception of the usual happy optimists, the mood of the people at the moment is more depressed than it has been since the war began”. There is a strong “feeling of futility”, and a belief that “something is altogether wrong”. The outstanding general trends are as follows:-

1. There is a demand for strong leadership : Nine R.I.Os report a “demand for strong leadership of the kind that orders rather than appeals”. There is an impression that “the Government is ‘footling’ when the situation is desperate”. People feel that “the time has come for a drastic effort to be made by mobilising the entire national effort”.

2. Heavier burdens would be accepted : It seems clear that “people are willing to bear any sacrifice, if a 100% effort can be reached, and the burden fairly borne by all”.

3. More drastic punishments are wanted : There is greater impatience with those who are not pulling their weight, and a demand that “more drastic action should be taken against moral saboteurs on the home front”, not only slackers or those who take part in black markets, but “all those who are not pulling their weight”.

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

2. The R.A.F .

The raid on the Renault works : This is described as the “high spot of the week”, and has been greeted with great satisfaction. It is mentioned by three R.I.Os as having done more than anything else to relieve the growing “feeling of frustration”. Even this news, however, “welcome as it was, people received with restraint. The time seems to have passed when people ‘threw their caps in the air’ when something good was done - instead, the general feeling is, ‘Its about time, too’, and they are eager for more tangible results.” The raid is also said to have done much to restore faith in the R.A.F., which had been somewhat shaken by the escape of the German battleships. People are particularly pleased with the raid, as

The Air Minister's speech in the House of Commons (March 5th) : Sir Archibald Sinclair's speech has aroused considerable interest. The promise of renewed and heavier air attacks on Germany has been generally welcomed, and is reported to have done something towards cheering people; it is hoped that the promised offensive will really materialise.

There is reported to have been some critical comment on Mr. W.W. Wakefield's recent description of dive bombers as “obsolete”, in view of the use made of them by the enemy, and also of Sir Archibald's statement that large quantities of new American dive bombers were coming along. There is also some desire to know “which of them is right”.

(2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)

3. The paratroop raid on France

Further reports confirm the first reaction mentioned in our Report last week. The following additional points have since been reported:

1. The raid was welcomed as a “minor proof that our offensive spirit is not quite dead”.

2. “Too much was made of what was only a minor affair”.

3. It was “unreasonable to risk paratroops”, as the “results achieved, and achievable, are not in proportion to the inevitable loss in men”.

4. A small minority “linked it up with the subsequent raid on the Renault works, and regarded the destruction of the radiolocation station as only a part of the larger plan”.

(2, 7, 8, 10, 12)

4. The proposed “comb-out” of Army Officers

A warm welcome is reported for what is variously described as Sir James Grigg's “purge”, “spring clean”, and “clearing out of the dead wood” in the Army. This is said to have raised him in public estimation, and “it is now taken as clear that it was Captain Margesson who was acting as a brake on his efficiency”. The only disappointment recorded is at the “limitation of grades to be overhauled”, and people are asking, “Why stop at Lt. Colonels?” and “Why not start with the higher ranks, among those who have gravitated to the top by virtue of their seniority or blue blood?”

(2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11)

5. Sir Stafford Cripps

Although admiration for Sir Stafford Cripps continues, together with the “hope that he will bring realism to the Government”, three R.I.Os report some decline in the first enthusiasm that greeted his inclusion in the Cabinet. His appointment was “connected in peoples' minds with radical reforms, particularly in industry”; and although there is some realisation that there has hardly been time yet for changes, the fact that “the public desire for action has not been satisfied leaves a taste of disappointment”. Some people, too, fear that he has “been put in as a smoke screen”. It is suggested that “Churchill's greatest stroke of genius was putting Cripps in a position where he must defend the government, right or wrong, good or bad”.

(5, 6, 8, 9, 10)

6. The Far East

“General depression, but little comment” appears to be the feeling of the majority about the situation in the Far East this week. No new aspects of public feeling have been reported, except that resignation about Java and anxiety about Burma seem to be giving way to resignation about Burma and even greater anxiety about India.

A feeling is reported which, though not applying in the case of those who have relatives among the Forces or the residents in the East, appears to be characteristic of the attitude of many people to the situation in the Far East as a whole. They are said to “dissociate themselves entirely from it, and take the line that ‘it serves them right’, meaning by this the white men, and our administration out there”. With the fall of Singapore, the “more thoughtful” are said to realise that “the unchallenged prestige of the white man in the East has gone for ever”.

Admiration and sympathy for the Dutch continue, and there is some feeling that “it is a pity that they did not have more control of the situation before they were actually cut off, as it is thought that their leaders have more guts than ours. The same feeling exists for General MacArthur and the Filipinos”.

Australia : The “possibility of Australia leaving the Empire after the war” is reported as being freely discussed in two Regions. It is felt that “she has no confidence in us, and is leaning more and more to the U.S.A.”.

India : Widespread anxiety about India continues to be reported from most Regions. Our relations are thought by many people to be critical, and they urge the immediate granting of Dominion status. There is said to be “growing impatience at the Government's attitude”. Apart from “not attempting to fulfil the clauses of the Atlantic Charter”, it is thought that “we lost Malaya through the lack of the sympathetic help of the natives, and that we are making little attempt to enlist the wholehearted co-operation of the Indians”. Comparisons are made between ourselves and the Dutch, as colonisers.

Opinions differ as to how well India is protected against the Japanese attack, which is felt to be only a matter of time. Some people believe that “our forces and equipment in India are very strong, and that the Japanese will not find things as easy there as elsewhere”, but others feel that she is “not protected against attack from the South”.

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

7. Libya

People are said to “have lost all interest in this campaign, beyond wondering when Rommel is going to spring, and if we are prepared for him”. There is also some speculation as to “why we can't ‘get one in first’”.

(1, 2, 3, 7, 9)

8. Russia

There is little new to report this week on public feeling about Russia. There are the same “humiliating comparisons”, and the same admiration and gratitude for their continued successes. While there is a slight fear that their advance may be slowing down and that their successes may have been exaggerated in the Press, many people hope that the Russians may already have succeeded in “drawing the sting from the German Spring offensive”.

Reports from several Regions indicate that “Stalin is still the most applauded figure on cinema screens”.

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

9. Curtailment of sporting events

Continued interest and discussion are reported on the suggestion that sporting events should be curtailed. Although considerable diversity of opinion is expressed, approval appears to be the predominating reaction, “so long as any interference is on a basis of equality”. Two R.I.Os report a belief that football matches and greyhound racing during the week are a definite cause of absenteeism, but at the same time it is pointed out that “some opportunities of relaxation must be left for war workers if morale is not to suffer”.

(1, 5, 8, 9)

10. Social Activities

It is suggested that at times like the present, when there is a call for greater austerity, a bad impression is created by:-

(1, 12)

11. Recent developments in public feeling

A special report from the R.I.O. Eastern Region describes certain “disquieting trends which have recently become apparent in various sections of the public”. As these trends have been reported in one form or another during the last two weeks by most R.I.Os as well as by M.O.I. speakers, they are summarised briefly below.

It is pointed out that, “undoubtedly a large proportion of the civilian population are still wholeheartedly and actively forwarding the war effort”, just as another section continues either to “profit from the war”, or to “play no part in the war effort”. Since mid-January, however, “a number of people have been encountered whose mood suggests a slackening of effort and a feeling of lack of purpose. This mood does not appear to be confined to any definite social classes or occupational groups, and has been encountered in members of the professional, small business, industrial and agricultural classes”.

Though varying considerably in its nature and intensity among different classes, it finds expression in the following points of view:-

1. What are we fighting for? “The public has no clearly worked out conception of the purpose of the war. The Russians have a clear-cut purpose; they have a way of living that they think worth fighting for and which enables them to fight well. The Germans are believed to have a purpose. We have only vague conceptions, fluctuating between ideas of holding what we have got and ideas of right and wrong. (A remark is reported by another R.I.O. as expressing the state of mind of many people, “We've no cause, no banner, no slogan”.) People are not convinced that “the Britain of the future is worth fighting for”; this lack of conviction applies to the Empire also, “particularly in view of the questioning now arising over the attitudes of the Indian and Malayan peoples”. “There is at present considerable and widespread discussion of future plans. Policies dealing with social and economic reforms after the war, are looked for even by the non-politically minded”.

2. How can we win the war? There appears to be a “lessening of conviction in our ability to win”, and a “growing tendency to believe that we shall not win unless we deserve to win”. Remarks are heard, “Why not call it a day?” “What a futile business this all is, but I suppose we must carry on”. (From London Region this week come reports of people “unable to see how we can recover the ground we have lost”).

3. Let Hitler come '. From “the more submerged social groups are reported variations of the remark: ‘Let Hitler come; he can't do anything so very bad when he does get here’. It appears that those classes, believing themselves to have little to lose, are not prepared to exert themselves for anyone else's gain. It is added that these have no conception of what life would be like if Hitler came”.

4. Admiration for Russia . A strong underlying tendency is “admiration for Russia, giving rise to interest and sympathy in her ideals and institutions”. This appears to arise less from any liking for Communism than from a “conviction of our own inefficiency, resulting in an increasing degree of admiration for efficiency wherever it is found. This applies not only to Russia but to Germany; there is admiration for a system which creates such efficiency”.

12. Broadcasting and News Presentation

Public reactions to the presentation of news are reported this week to range from “apathy to disgust”. The B.B.C. is still criticised for “glossing over bad news”, and for padding its news bulletins unnecessarily. People are said to be sick of talk, and to be asking for the “barest facts”. The Government, it is felt, is not making enough use of the B.B.C. to further the progress of the war effort, and has “missed an opportunity of instilling a sense of urgency by making the gravity of the position clear”. It is also reported that “the war news in newspapers is less read now than at any other time during the war”.

References to the switching-off of wireless sets after the News Summary continue, but there are fewer allusions this week to listening-in to German broadcasts.

Details on the subject of switching off have been obtained by the B.B.C. Listener Research Department by a questionnaire put to General Listening Panels in January. They were asked to say whether, when they listened to any bulletin they usually listened right through or switched off after the most important items. These panels are not a random sample of the listening public, but a sample of keener listeners.

Capt. Gammans' Broadcast : Four R.I.Os refer to this Postscript as being “widely praised for its straightforward and outspoken tone”.

Bruneval Raid : Comments vary; “in some quarters it is felt that too much publicity has been given to the raid”, and that by the publication of details useful information may have been divulged. The broadcasts about the raid are thought to have been “deliberately spun out”.

B.B.C. Popularity : The latest Listener Research investigation of the views of listeners on current B.B.C. programmes showed that 77% of listeners are satisfied with the programmes, 11% are dissatisfied, and 12% have no opinion. The investigation was carried out on a sample of the listening public of the usual size, about 6,000 persons.

The following figures show the percentage of satisfaction for the first six weeks of 1942:-

It will be seen that the percentage of listeners expressing satisfaction with programmes has steadily decreased in recent weeks. The decrease is not large, but it is slightly greater than the normal degree of variation.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 21, 22, 24, 25, 29)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS .

13. Industry .

Dissatisfaction with production and “disillusionment at the lack of the sense of urgency in war factories” are reported by twelve R.I.Os this week. This is apparently connected with “a still greater call for leadership and for the Government to use all the power it has got to make everyone take part in the war effort to the full - instead of acting as if there were plenty of time”.

This widespread dissatisfaction is attributed to:-

1. Enforced idleness: Tales of idle time in essential industries appear to be increasing in volume and are reported by ten R.I.Os. Although there are instances of workers attributing such hold-ups to shortages of material or “red tape” in Government departments, they tend rather to put most of the blame on the managements, for the following alleged reasons:

2. Managements: In addition to being considered chiefly responsible for enforced idleness, managements are also blamed for:

3. The workers: A proportion of industrial workers appear not to be pulling their weight in the war effort; reasons advanced for their slackness are:-

4. The Government: As far as industry is concerned, most individuals seem able to quote instances of “waste and muddle in factories, on aerodrome sites, etc.: drawing conclusions from such instances in their own locality, they are prepared to condemn the Government as a whole and decide that their own individual effort is not worth while”.

Production Committees : From the Northern and Midland Regions come reports that there is some suspicion of managements, where such committees are functioning. Fear is expressed that “they may sometimes oppose changes that might affect post-war working or side-track issues”. It is felt there should be some means whereby suggestions made by the workers should be considered by the appropriate Government department as well as by the management.

Women's call-up : The demand continues for:

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21, 32)

14. Income Tax

Seven R.I.Os refer this week to discontent amongst workers over the payment of Income Tax. The main causes of complaint are:

(1, 2, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12)

15. Black Markets

Feeling on this question is reported from most Regions to be still rising; it is linked with a “desire for more drastic penalities for these ‘anti-social’ practices”. One R.I.O. states that, in itself, a term of imprisonment is not thought to constitute a deterrent, and that as “it appears that many local magistrates are still giving paltry sentences, it is felt that it would be better if all such cases were sent for trial”, “Evidence that the promises of harsher punishment are being put into effect is widely demanded”. Anti-Semitic feeling is, it is said, again connected with Black Market dealings.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 21, 29)

16. Food

General : Although the majority of R.I.Os report an attitude of philosophical resignation to the prospect of further sacrifices, and it is said that confidence in Lord Woolton prevails, there are also indications that “the rationing of most commodities is found to be barely adequate, and a cut would not be accepted without complaint”. It is moreover suggested that greater equality in distribution would be welcomed in view of the “advantages” obtainable by the “rich” over the “poor”.

High Prices : The high cost of living, and the scarcity and high price of fish, fresh fruit and green vegetables are reiterated.

Points : While the equity of this scheme appears to be recognised, it is felt by many housewives that “with every extension of the scheme, the wise spending of points becomes more difficult”.

Inspection of Food Stores in the Home : The news that Ministry of Food Survey workers are entering housewives' homes and weighing food has been misinterpreted by many people - particularly middle-class women - as “meaning a kind of Gestapo” on household stores. “I thought this was what we were fighting against” is a typical comment.

(1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 29, 32)

17. Clothes rationing

General : Workers whose clothing is apt to deteriorate owing to the nature of their employment continue to complain. Overalls, it is suggested, are particulary apt to suffer in chemical factories among newcomers, who are expected to replace them with their own coupons. Replacement of clothing for growing children is still a cause of concern.

Utility Clothing : Popular reaction to standardisation appears to have been slow. Such reactions as there have been are favourable. It is suggested that the extension of this principle might be welcome.

(1, 2, 5, 8)

18. Transports

Retail deliveries : The policy of a number of tradesmen who have refused to co-operate in local delivery schemes is said by one R.I.O. to be regarded as a serious blow to invalids, old people and workers, and it is hoped will be discouraged.

(3)

19. Salvage

Considerable criticism is being reported in a number of areas over slackness and inefficiency in the collection of milk bottles, railings, and salvage in general. It is thought that “the fault is more with the authorities than with the public”.

(3, 5, 7)

20. Rumours

There has been no apparent increase in the number of rumours this week.

It is said that in one Region relatives of men serving in the Far East have been greatly disturbed by tales of Japanese atrocities on our troops. (This was before the official announcement of the Hong Kong atrocities.)

It is believed that impending rationing is to include salt, coffee, cocoa, flour and shaving soap; the allowances of tea and butter are, it is said, to be halved.

The Queen Mary is again reported missing.

(2, 3, 7, 9, 11)

21. Constant Topics and complaints

Wastage : Petrol wastage is again the subject of complaint. It is said that milk and bread are left lying about outside houses.

Transport : Difficulties in the Greenwich area are reported to continue in spite of concessions made to workers for better facilities.

Accommodation : In one Region “lack of adequate response to appeals for accommodation for war workers” is said to be prevalent.

Commercial Advertising : There are growing complaints about the waste of paper involved in newspapers and periodicals by commercial advertising - especially for commodities which cannot be obtained or which have ceased to be produced.

(5, 8, 9, 10, 32)