203

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence Division No. 72
Copy No. 15

18th February, 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.

204 210 7 212 9

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEELY REPORT No. 72 .

18th FEBRUARY, 1942 .

(Covering period from 9th February to 16th February, 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.

(Only preliminary reports have been so far received on the public's reactions to the Prime Minister's broadcast on Sunday night, and no reports of public reactions to his statement in the House of Commons, on Tuesday, 17th February).

I. GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

There is a very marked decline in public confidence this week. Public spirits have not been high for some time past, and last week most R.I.Os referred to a sense of disappointment and a lack of enthusiasm. Now the public is said to be profoundly disturbed and angry. Depression is reported from several Regions, and in a few areas there are said to be “some signs of defeatism”. The passage of the German warships through the Channel appears to have shocked the public far more than the fall of Singapore, which was expected by the majority. This is described as having been “the blackest week since Dunkirk”; eight R.I.Os refer to Dunkirk - or even in one case to the “Norwegian campaign” - in seeking a term of comparison for the present state of public feeling. The situation in Libya is felt to be disappointing, and even the Russian advances, though still regarded as the one bright spot, are thought to have been slowed down. The desire to criticise is very widespread, and, although the Service chiefs are greatly blamed, the main weight of public criticism seems to be directed against the Government, and no longer excludes the Prime Minister.

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

2. The escape of the German battleships

This event, which has been described as “the most bitter failure of the whole war”, appears to have caused not only shock, bewilderment and anger, but also a feeling of humiliation and disgrace. One R.I.O. describes public reaction, after the “first stupendous astonishment”, as being “one big ‘Why?’”, and in the majority of public reactions, query and criticism seem to be inseparable. The chief points disturbing the public - in order of frequency - are as follows:

(a) “ How were the ships able to leave Brest at all, after all our raids on them ?” (Eleven R.I.Os mention this). Our weekly report (No. 68) on January 21st stated that “people are said to be ‘fed-up’ with the repeated bombing of Brest, which they consider as ‘singularly ineffective by comparison with the effect of one of two German raids on ports in this country’.” This feeling now comes out strongly. In Wales, for example, comparisons are being made between the destruction in Swansea after three German raids, and what might have been expected to have been the state of the German warships and of Brest itself after over 100 R.A.F. raids. Our whole bombing policy is now called in question, and people are beginning to ask “how effective has the bombing of German industries been?”. A substantial minority express the opinion that they were “dummy ships at Brest all the time”; and a small minority, in the first outburst of anger even suggested that “the R.A.F. never went near Brest at all, because of the flak”. Criticism, however, “does not seem to be directed towards the rank and file, who, it is felt, did their best”, but the whole operation in the Channel is regarded as a “defeat for the R.A.F.”

(b) “ Where was the fleet ?” Nine R.I.Os mention this question as being extensively asked, but three R.I.Os refer to criticism of the Air Force being greater than that of the Navy. Indignation is reported at “our failure to bring big battleships into action”, or at least submarines. Our naval superiority in home waters is now being queried. “Lack of co-operation between the Services” is repeatedly criticised.

(c) Invasion : Signs of apprehension about invasion are reported by eight R.I.Os, “now that it appears that Britannia no longer rules the waves”; and there appears to be some anxiety as to the future activities of these ships, and a fear that they will attack our coast line and shipping, or be used against convoys for Russia.

(d) Comparisons with the loss of our battleships : Comparisons are made with “the loss of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse, sunk at so little expense to the Japanese, while, with a loss of 42 aircraft, we have failed - so far as the public knows - to cripple any of these three ships”. This reaction is reported from 7 Regions. Comparisons are also made between “the fighter aircraft, smoke screens, E boats, torpedo boats and mine sweepers with which the enemy's ships were protected”, and the fact that “we relied on the weather to give ours cover” in the Far East.

(e) Our Intelligence Service : Criticism of our Intelligence Service is reported from seven Regions. People are said to be “staggered that, in the midst of a country presumably seething with Allied sympathisers, no warning appears to have reached us that these ships were preparing for sea. The apparent absence of submarines and big surface craft is taken as evidence of this”.

(f) Misleading the public : The suspicion that “the public have been grossly misled about the damage inflicted on these ships” is being taken as confirmation of “previous suspicions that official news is unreliable and ‘dressed-up’”. This is reported from four Regions, and for the same reasons, “the admitted losses in aircraft are thought to be an understatement”. Blame of the weather appears only to have increased irritation, and “impatience with official accounts of the action, which are regarded as ‘the usual excuses’”.

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

3. The Far East .

The Fall of Singapore : The great majority of the public appear to have been “resigned, rather than reconciled” to the fall of Singapore, which has been received, according to some accounts, “with a silence too deep for words”. There even appears to be “some relief that the tragedy is at last over, and the personal suffering in the city finished”. People are said to be dismayed that a “fortress reputed to be so strong has proved to be so vulnerable”. There are bitter comments on all the money that has been spent on Singapore in the past, on the “reinforcements that are thought to have been poured in and sacrificed all for no purpose”. The “excuse that our resources were sent to Russia and Libya is thought not to be good enough, especially after Rommel's advance”; and it is felt that “such a key point should have received plenty of guns, ammunition and aircraft long ago”. There is criticism of the lack of air support.

Burma : There appears to be considerable anxiety over Burma; and there are fears for Rangoon, and particularly for the Burma Road. The importance of our supplying the Chinese with arms seems to be increasingly realised, and “it is felt that if we can equip the Chinese, they will fight the Japanese as the Russians have fought the Germans”. Admiration for China continues.

Our efforts in general in the Far East are compared unfavourably with those of General McArthur.

General Chiang Kai Shek's visit to India : “Doubts of the adequacy of preparations in India, and of the attitude of the Indians, have been somewhat relieved by the news that General Chiang Kai Shek is acting as ambassador to unfriendly elements in India, and great hopes are placed in his good offices and organising ability”. This feeling is reported by six R.I.Os. It is also felt to be “imperative that we should bring about a measure of agreement in India”, and doubts are expressed as to “whether Mr. Amery is doing much to help”.

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

4. The Government

Criticism of the Government appears to be intense and wide-spread this week, together with a “growing feeling that the direction of the war is very much at fault”. The general feeling may be summed up in the words of one R.I.O., who says that “not since the Norwegian fiasco has there been such grave and wide-spread doubt regarding the adequacy of the high direction of the war in general and of our staff work in particular. The dominant sentiment appears to be one of frustration that after two and a half years of war, and nearly two of the Prime Minister's leadership, we should, except for the Battle of the Atlantic, be still apparently incapable of conclusive victory over anybody except Italians”. It is also felt that “the common habit of tracing our failures to the policy of previous Governments is now wearing thin and that, for many previous circumstances and almost all future ones, the present Government must accept responsibility”. There is also a feeling that “we have got to the stage when it is time to stop accepting excuses, and try a change of Government”.

The Prime Minister : Although “Mr. Churchill's general popularity remains very great”, criticism of him, in one form or another, is reported from every Region. This criticism is primarily of Mr. Churchill in his capacity as Minister of Defence rather than as Prime Minister. A number of people are said to feel that “he never was a military strategist; naval and military tactics are for the expert”. It is thought too, that “he has taken on far too much responsibility and that he will not delegate authority”. His “protection of his Ministers is still the subject of much criticism”.

The Prime Minister's broadcast : This appears to have had rather a mixed reception. Some people feel that it has had a steadying influence, but a greater number seem to be of the opinion that it did not succeed in allaying criticism. There is a general feeling that it was a difficult speech to make and that it was “the best he could do in the circumstances”. Particular note seems to have been taken of his “call for unity”, to which the reaction is reported that “unity depends on having the right men in the right places”. The appeal to the people not to criticise the Government was regarded by many as “ineffective, as feeling is too disturbed at present for any such appeal to take effect”. It is considered that comparisons with Russia cut both ways, as people appear to be making their own comparisons between “the organisation and efficiency of the Russian war machine and our own half-hearted methods”. There has been a good deal of comment, and some dissatisfaction, on the omission of any reference to the German battleships.

Sir Stafford Cripps : Rumours are said to be current in two Regions that “a major political crisis is developing and that Sir Stafford Cripps will be the Prime Minister within a few months”. There is also some indication that “people are beginning to think of alternatives to Mr. Churchill, and that in this connection Sir Stafford Cripps is most often mentioned”. There is reported to be widespread disappointment that he is not in the Government.

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

5. Russia

“Continued Russian successes still give rise to thankfulness that ‘someone on our side is doing something, at any rate’”. They are, however, less discussed than formerly, and there is some feeling that “they have ceased to have any directly stimulating effect”. Some fear is now expressed that the Russians are “slowing up”, and there is anxiety as to the German spring offensive. German resistance is thought to have become “considerably more effective of late”. There is more comment on “the relative success in the military field of ‘working’ Russia and capitalistic Britain and U.S.A.”.

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

6. Libya

“Disappointment” is the most generally reported reaction to the situation in Libya but, in view of more sensational events elsewhere, there is said to have been little comment this week. There seems to be a feeling that “we are up against a better equipped enemy”. The fact that troops refer to it as the “Muddle East” is said not to inspire public confidence.

Strong feeling against Vichy is reported from four Regions, and there is some demand that Vichy France should be treated as an active enemy, in view of the assistance she is believed to have given to the Axis forces in Libya. It is felt that our treatment of Vichy “looks like appeasement”.

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

7. Long term trends in Public Opinion

As a footnote to the appendix to last week's Home Intelligence Report, the R.I.O. Midland Region, records certain tendencies observed in that Region.

There seems to be a freely expressed feeling that the Government may be forced, before many months, into a General Election, in which event few of the present M.P.s are thought likely to be returned. More and more people of all classes are said to be taking to “a kind of home-made Socialism, which does not owe allegiance to any particular political party, but which expresses a resentment of the system which has given so much power to so few people”. This feeling is said to be by no means confined to factory workers and the industrial middle-class, though it finds its strongest expression in this section of the community.

Another factor which is thought to be coming to the fore is “the religious or spiritual aspect of our lives”. Compared with eighteen months ago, an increasing number of people are said to be talking of Christian principles, and “regretting that this country has so far departed from them as to make this war possible”.

Somewhat similar tendencies are reported by the R.I.O., Eastern Region. There is stated to be a “desire among the working-classes for some sort of post-war New Order, aimed at contracting the gulf between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’”.

There are references to the need for “Socialism in its purest form in this country after the war”, and to this end they mean “to make their voices heard when the opportunity presents itself”.

(4, 14, Midland)

8. Broadcasting and presentation of news

Sir Stafford Cripps' speeches : Favourable comment is reported from twelve Regions on both his Bristol speeches and broadcast, which have caused widespread discussion. “His human voice and absence of rhetoric” were appreciated, as were also his “nonpolitical and helpful factual approach”. The broadcast is thought to have provoked “self-examination” and a desire to know “ why we are all so sure we are going to win”. In the London and Scottish Regions, in spite of general approval, several workers are said to have disliked the suggestion that they were not doing enough, and to have taken up a “What can we do?” attitude, but the vast majority of reports register “enthusiastic approval”

Minimising of news : This complaint has now been evident for eight consecutive weeks, in ever-growing intensity. This week nine R.I.Os, four Police Duty Room reports, in addition to Postal Censorship, continue to report dissatisfaction with the B.B.C. news bulletins, and there is further evidence that “padding” or excuses are immediately resented by the public. “A feeling that the leaders do not trust the public with bad news persists, and in some quarters is thought likely to cause serious trouble”.

In two Regions this refers particularly to Singapore, and resentment is felt that the Government allowed hopes to be raised that the place might be held “long after they must have known it was doomed”. The complaint is said to be less with the events themselves than with the falsity of the outlined position. “Continued belying of predictions makes people believe that the men in control are, to say the least of it, ill-prepared”. The B.B.C. interpolation that the Singapore announcer “sounded as cheerful as usual”, and the tactlessness of featuring “The Road to Mandalay” at such a time are two among other incidents that aroused caustic comments. Playing up minor successes, such as the destruction of one tank or some Italian planes in Libya, and the “balancing of Admiralty losses with successes” are criticised severely. The early official reports on the Channel “defeat” tend to be regarded as “too volubly excuse-finding” and to lend confirmation to previous suspicions that official news is “unreliable and ‘dressed up’”.

The Eastern Region alone states that, after increasing adverse comment throughout the the week on withholding bad news, full praise was given to the Sunday night and early Monday announcements as being “brief, subdued and exactly as news bulletins should be”.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22)

9. Rumours

From Scotland it is reported that “rumours are more prevalent this week than for many months”.

From various sources come reports that the following ships have been sunk:-

The Queen Mary (with American - or Australian - troops on board), the Queen Elizabeth , the Duke of York , the Warspite , the Nelson , the Devonshire , and the Mauretania . (Some reports suggest that delay in announcing the sinking of the Barham may have stimulated these rumours). On Clydeside the story is current that a German U-boat entered the Clyde on February 12th and landed saboteurs at several points. One version says that the U-boat was destroyed.

It is rumoured that salt and cigarettes are to be rationed.

(3, 4, 7, 10, 11)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS .

10. Industry

According to six R.I.Os, the White Paper on the duties of the Minister of Production has caused considerable disappointment. The powers conferred on the Minister are said to be considered insufficient, and are taken to be “only a window-dressing arrangement and just another instance of half-measures and lack of decision”.

Eleven R.I.Os report dissatisfaction with production in war factories, and it is suggested that “the far greater realisation of the extreme seriousness of the war situation this week” has increased the desire for the Government to “exercise its great powers and to take a firm line as regards the organisation of industry and the use of man-power”.

The following specific complaints continue to be made:

(a) There are further reports of dissatisfaction at ‘enforced idleness’. Stories on this topic continue to gain currency and workers are said to “resent being kept idle when they want to work to help the country”. This idleness is in some quarters blamed on the “cost plus” system of Government contract, which is supposed to lead to overstaffing by the managements. A similar effect is stated to result from excess Profits Tax, which is also accused of having caused “swollen expense accounts”.

(b) There is some reference to the ‘misuse of man-power’ and the demand for greater efficiency in the use of labour continues.

(c) Dissatisfaction is expressed over the distribution of skilled labour. Cases are quoted of skilled men being wasted on unskilled work.

Women's call-up : The feeling that “moneyed women are still not pulling their weight” is reported by three R.I.Os. There is also “talk of young girls to be seen in hotels and dances who are believed to be evading the call-up”, and of “women with no responsibilities doing no war work at all”, or “just playing at it”.

On the other hand, women with family commitments who are doing National Service are encountering an additional difficulty. The problem of domestic help is stated to be accentuated by the position of able-bodied old-age pensioners, who fear that if they take employment they will jeopardise their pensions.

Labour Exchange interviewers : “The unsympathetic attitude of many of these interviewers” has been reported from the South Eastern Region. They are said to be too young to handle the married women, while the young recruit cannot understand why her contemporary should hold such a post as interviewer and she herself be told to volunteer for factory work.

It has also been alleged that “older women who are willing and anxious to do work of national importance are not encouraged at the Labour Exchanges” and that “Servicemen's wives, who have asked for part-time work, have been told to ‘run away and play’”.

Unemployment : Some concern has been caused by the last unemployment returns which showed a 4% increase on previous figures. “People do not see why there should be any unemployment, let alone an increase in it”.

(2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 32)

11. Income Tax

There is less general discussion on this subject this week.

Seasonal trades : In the building and other seasonal trades, it is believed that hardship is being caused by high deductions on low wages. Some interest has been aroused by the scheme, whereby a Bootle firm has advanced £5,000 to finance their workers' total liability so that the workers' income tax deductions can be spread over 52 weeks.

Post-war credit : Scepticism continues to be expressed as to whether these credits will be placed to people's saving accounts at the end of hostilities.

(1, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)

12. Civil Defence and Home Defence

Fire precautions : The new Residential Buildings Order by which every house, flat, etc., is obliged to have, immediately outside the door, a supply of water - not less than four gallons - in containers, has led to some criticism because people believe that buckets or other suitable receptacles are not available.

Pikes for the Home Guard : Lord Croft's reference to pikes and their use by Home Guards has been greeted with derision, and has caused comment on our unpreparedness.

(2, 9, 10, 11, 12)

13. Food .

Satisfaction with the rationing situation appears in most Regions to predominate, but there are a few local complaints.

Fish : Four Regions complain of the scarcity and high cost of fish, mention being made of fresh-water fish and whiting at 4/- and 3/- per lb. respectively.

Vegetables : The shortage and high price of green vegetables are reported from three Regions to be causing concern.

Points rationing : In one district an almost unanimous protest is reported against the inclusion of tinned peas and beans in this scheme; these being regarded as staple foods and as an essential alternative to fresh greens rather than as semi-luxury diets. In London disappointment was expressed over delay in the issue of tinned fruit to the public under Points rationing.

Milk : There is less complaint of the milk ration, but ignorance of the scheme still appears to persist. There are complaints that powdered milk supplies are unevenly distributed.

(2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12)

14. Soap rationing

In general there seems to be no change in the public's attitude to this restriction from that noted in our Report last week. From several areas however, and especially from Manchester, reports have been received of heavy buying on the Saturday before rationing was introduced.

In themselves the cuts are not considered excessive although opinion is unanimous in almost every Region that the ration will be found inadequate in the case of:-

One R.I.O. reports the following impressions:-

“With regard to the soap ration there appears to be a strong feeling of the desirability of purchasing this particular commodity as soon as possible”, (a) lest favourite makes should quickly disappear from the market, and (b) from conviction that stocks of soap are severely limited.

It is felt that some priority classes for soap may have to be formed.

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

15. Clothes rationing

There are still complaints from men in the chemical industries that they cannot eke out their clothing coupons; and from people engaged in dirty work which damages clothes, even through overalls.

(1, 5)

16. Constant topics and complaints

Complaints concerning transport “continue unabated”. Long waits in exposed places are believed to cause illness, and “angry comment” is heard about buses which pass stops. The difference in fares on parallel services of buses, trams and trains is said to be “still a keen grievance”, and feeling among workers - with whom managements are in sympathy - “is becoming more and more bitter”.

Reports of shopping difficulties are renewed. Because of these a Coventry firm is said to “suffer from a 25% daily absenteeism”.

Kitchen waste in one area is reported to be “left until it goes bad and smells”, and there are “widespread complaints” of the unsatisfactory arrangements for the collection of other salvage material . Dustmen are said to be putting clean pins, skewers, etc. in with the rest of the garbage.

People who gave up saucepans in response to Lord Beaverbrook's appeal, and are now unable to replace them, were annoyed by an item in the Daily Mirror of February 9th, saying that aluminium for salvage had been made into totalisator ticket machines.

Waste of petrol by the Services is still reported, and “the consumption of quantities of petrol for displays before high visiting functionaries” comes in for “hostile comment”.

There are complaints that Airgraph letters are “very slow”, and that letters to men in the Merchant Navy “are not forwarded when it would be quite possible to do so”. Grievance is also felt at the long delay in the reception of cables at the cheap Forces rates .

The demand for more nursery schools and day nurseries continues.

It is said that wholesalers are selling the cheap lighters direct to a “favoured few” at retail prices, and that shopkeepers are consequently unable to get supplies.

The shortage continues of torch and wireless batteries “the latter being very disturbing in country districts where people have to rely upon batteries to keep their sets working”.

Other main shortages are of: Children's clothing and footwear, Wellingtons and all rubber goods, kitchen equipment, crockery (cups and saucers, “acute”), haberdashery, sanitary towels, razor blades, buckets (“made apparent by the Home Security Order”), prams, thermos flasks, matches, cigarette lighters and flints, tobacco and cigarettes, beer, chocolate and confectionery, eggs, milk, and fish.

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