CAB80-20 — Page 22

Page 22

Page 22

12

pace with damage. As an interim measure some 90 men were obtained urgently from the Birmingham Region to assist in the repair of gas mains, and a similar number to help repair water mains, and arrangements are being made for six companies (1,560 skilled men) from the Royal Engineers to help with public utility repairs.

(b) The need for dealing rapidly with the increasing amount of debris in London has also been considered and the loan of 5,000 men from the Auxiliary Military Pioneers has been arranged.

(c) Road and railway repairs have been effected promptly and most damaged communications quickly reopened, though on occasion the railways, which have more vital points than roads, have been faced with damage which will take a considerable time to put right.

(d) Some figures may be of interest on the taking of shelter in London Underground Stations. On one night (30th September/1st October), 112,925 were reported by the police as having taken shelter in the London underground stations. This, though a formidable figure, is less than many people have supposed, and represents only a very small proportion of the population.

No disorder was reported from any station, and one Police Division says that there is now a decrease in the number of young able-bodied men who go to the tube stations at night.

Morale.

55.-(a) The continuance of German attacks upon London, their appearance in daylight, and their resumption upon the provinces have had, in general, no fundamental ill-effect upon the heart of the nation. There is now a real and vindictive demand for reprisals, and the savage dislike of Germany is deepening.

(b) The most marked feature is the cool toleration of inconveniences, and even disasters, and the adjustment of ordinary life to the new conditions, but there is evidence of anxiety over the approach of winter. The recent appoint- ments of Special Commissioners, and the announcements of the development of shelter policy and evacuation have had a reassuring effect.

(c) The dislocation of essential services by causing discomfort has affected people far more than the death and destruction resulting from the raids. Self- adjustment to loss of sleep is particularly noticeable. Many people get more than formerly, though it is less comfortable, for they go so early to their shelters. (d) Surface shelters are not at the moment fashionable, because of the disasters which have befallen some of them. They are still, however, generally considered as much better than nothing. There is, nevertheless, evidence that larger numbers of people are remaining in their own homes for warmth and comfort, even when they do not possess cellars or ground-floor rooms.

(e) In general, there is no food complication, but there has been great difficulty over warmth and cooking in the most affected areas. The small cafés and eating houses, by ceasing to function, have much embarrassed local populations, but this situation is being rectified.

Page 22

Page 22

APPENDIX I.

Page 22