Cabinet papers from December 1940

Monday 2nd December 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet rejects plea from General Wavell to deport SS Patria survivors from Palestine. Decision to admit them will stand
extract PM: It might be that the President is waiting "for the election atmosphere to disperse before taking any striking action"
extract PM Churchill: "Rather chilled" by attitude of the United States since the Election
extract Morrison: Fire situation in Southampton remains "serious" but Fire Brigade have "stood up very well to their ordeal"
extract General Dill: Greek forces between 10 and 25 miles into Albanian territory. Thought they will attempt to advance further
extract Admiralty: German Destroyers proving "faster than ours". Measures being considered to give ours "an extra turn of speed"
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person Oliver Lyttelton, 1st Viscount Chandos
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Malcolm MacDonald
person Kingsley Wood
person Ernest Brown
person Clement Attlee
person Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Turkey
place Sudan
place Africa
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
 

Illegal immigrants into Palestine from S.S. Patria.

extract General Wavell protests Cabinet decision to allow SS Patria survivors to enter Palestine. "Disastrous" for Arab opinion
person Anthony Eden
place Egypt
 

Tuesday 3rd December 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Admiralty brief junior Ministers on recent success against Italy with "very limited" forces. 27 Italian subs sunk so far
place Greece
place Egypt
place Turkey
place Malta
place Gibraltar
place Albania
place Libya
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Royal Navy
 

Food Situation of the United Kingdom. Fourteenth Report submitted by the Minister of Food for the month of October, 1940.

extract Food Minister: Shipping attacks "menace" food position. "For some commodities the reduction in shipments is enormous"
 

Wednesday 4th December 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: Diplomats in Washington and Geneva receiving reports of "growing restiveness and discontent in Italy"
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Samuel Hoare
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
person John Dill
person Andrew Duncan
place Greece
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Birmingham
place North America
place Sicily
place Valona, California
place Bristol
place Madrid, New York
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation RAF Fighter Command
 

Thursday 5th December 1940

India. Question of Action against Congress Party.

extract India Secretary: Viceroy's plan "to crush" Congress Party "a mistake". Party may well return to power in the future
 

Relations with Eire.

extract Minister for Food: Effect in 3 months "so profound" as to render negotiations possible "on our terms"
extract PM Churchill asks Minister for Food for effect of "cutting off of Irish supplies of food for say six months"
extract Cabinet Secretary circulates recent Eire memos. PM De Valera "calculating and egotistical. His first interest is himself"
person John Maffey, 1st Baron Rugby
place Cranborne
place South Wales
place Liverpool
place Europe
place East Anglia
place Northern Ireland
organisation Royal Navy
organisation Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
 

Friday 6th December 1940

Payments to Eire.

extract Chancellor presents two plans to force concessions from Irish government. Second "would be in effect economic war"
person Kingsley Wood
place Great Britain
place South Wales
place Northern Ireland
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet to "continue consultations" on action against Eire to force UK access to Irish ports. Diplomats to meet in London
extract Chiefs of Staff: UK economic action against Eire could lead to either "sullen animosity" or "state of open hostility"
extract Admiralty reports very bad weather in NW Approaches. 7 merchant ships adrift - no reason to think they will not make port
person Alexander Cadogan
person Duff Cooper
place Greece
place Egypt
place Sudan
place Gibraltar
place Northern Ireland
place Portsmouth
organisation Hopatcong High School
 

Saturday 7th December 1940

Reconstruction of Town and Country.

extract Minister of Works calls for central planning to stop "monstrous growth of London" and "disfigurement" from advertisements
 

Sunday 8th December 1940

Draft letter from Prime Minister to President Roosevelt.

extract PM to cable Roosevelt on year ahead: "Unless we can establish our ability to feed this Island...we may fall by the way"
person Adolf Hitler
person Winston Churchill
place Great Britain
place Singapore
place Turkey
place North America
place Europe
place Africa
place Northern Ireland
place West Germany
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation United States Navy
organisation Royal Navy
organisation Commonwealth of Nations
organisation French Navy
 

Monday 9th December 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Morrison: Execution of 2 enemy spies, captured entering country, tomorrow. "No reason" to accept appeal for clemency
extract Beaverbrook: "Promising developments" in progress against night raiders but "immediate and spectacular results" unlikely
extract Morrison: Overnight attack on London caused "considerable damage". Large number of incendiaries, several heavy fires
extract Admiralty: Gales causing "distress" to convoy shipping. Destroyers also damaged by the bad weather. Tugs despatched
extract General Dill: Albanian Italian resistance "still energetic" at Pogradets but Kelcyre evacuated. Greeks advancing steadily
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Herbert Morrison
place Greece
place Valona, California
place Bristol
place Republic of China
place Libya
place Tripoli
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation Luftwaffe
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation House of Lords
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM informs Cabinet extensive UK attack now in progress in Libya. Hopes to inflict "decisive defeat" on Italian divisions
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
place Greece
place Egypt
place Sudan
place Northern Ireland
place Libya
 

Tuesday 10th December 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Admiralty: Australia asks for return of a cruiser from the Mediterranean after German raider attacks Gilbert Islands.
extract Chiefs of Staff: Except for reconnaissance flights over Thames Estuary and South Coast, no enemy activity yesterday
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
place Egypt
place Libya
organisation Home Office
organisation Indian National Congress
 

Wednesday 11th December 1940

Reports for the Month of November 1940 for the Dominions, India, Burma and the Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories.

extract India Secretary: Civil disobedience continuing and spreading. Mr. Gandhi has extended considerably his anti-war campaign
person Charles de Gaulle
place South Africa
place Greece
place Egypt
place Hong Kong
place Singapore
place Jamaica
place Kenya
place Burma
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation United States Navy
organisation Royal Navy
organisation Government of Canada
 

Thursday 12th December 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Morrison: Many fires reported in Birmingham but all under control. 12 factories, 8 schools, 5 churches, 2 cinemas damaged
extract PM Churchill to consult with President Roosevelt before ordering economic action against Ireland
extract Chiefs of Staff: RAF have inflicted severe losses on Italian Tank Group and a Blackshirt Division withdrawing to Sollum
extract Chiefs of Staff: Sidi Barrani captured by British forces. 4th Armoured Brigade making for Sollum, now west of Buq Buq
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Herbert Morrison
person John Maffey, 1st Baron Rugby
person Andrew Duncan
place Greece
place Egypt
place North America
place Valona, California
place Morocco
place Madrid, New York
place Libya
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation House of Lords
 

Meeting minutes

extract Hanover rejected ("strongly anti-Nazi"). Target must have "predominantly industrial character". No publicity to be made
extract Air Chief: Question whether we now should concentrate our air power to cause "greatest possible havoc in a built-up area"
place Hamburg
place Birmingham
place Bristol
organisation Royal Air Force
 

Saturday 14th December 1940

Assembly of aircraft for Chinese Government British Territory.

extract Halifax explores how UK may supply China with aircraft from India without breaching Hague Convention, Japanese neutrality
person Chiang Kai-shek
place Russian Empire
place Hong Kong
place Singapore
place Thailand
place Washington
place Republic of China
place Burma
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
 

Monday 16th December 1940

Reports on the effectiveness of Royal Air Force Bombing Operations.

extract Air Secretary: But US sources in Berlin call UK attacks "far too light", "negligible". Others suggest many bombs "duds"
extract Air Secretary: "Conflicting" testimony of effectiveness of UK bombing. "All secret reports" from Hamburg confirm accuracy
place Hamburg
place Madrid
place Geneva
place Malta
place Europe
place Bulgaria
place Vienna
place Iran
organisation Royal Air Force
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet concerned at Spanish action in Tangiers: "an unpleasing analogy with the conduct of Italy" before entry into war
extract Morrison: 10,000 people made homeless in Sheffield overnight in addition to 10,000 homeless from raid on 12th December
extract PM Churchill: These operations constitute an event of first-class importance. Results "more than we had dared to hope"
extract General Dill: Enemy air attacks now chief menace but 30,000 prisoners taken, 100 guns and 50 tanks. UK casualties 500
extract General Dill: Halfaya cleared, Sollum and Fort Capuzzo still held by the enemy. Weather has turned from sandstorm to rain
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Herbert Morrison
person Samuel Hoare
person Miles Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn
place Egypt
place Tangier
place Malta
place Alexandria
place Madrid, New York
place Libya
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation United States Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM: Hitler's next move "a matter of speculation". "Most menacing outlook" in Spain. Germans may move to occupy N. Africa
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
person Adolf Hitler
place Africa
organisation Hopatcong High School
 

Tuesday 17th December 1940

Meeting minutes

extract "If this force could be surrounded and captured it would be a great achievement". Situation "full of possibilities"
extract Cabinet informed Sollum and Fort Capuzzo have been taken by UK Armoured Divison. Large Italian force still in Bardia
 

Wednesday 18th December 1940

Report by the Far Eastern Committee.

extract Japan "likely to be encouraged by our enemies to attack British interests if she gets the chance", reports Foreign Office
person Chiang Kai-shek
place Portugal
place Turkey
place Europe
place Thailand
place Republic of China
place Burma
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Minister of Economic Warfare
organisation Commonwealth of Nations
 

Thursday 19th December 1940

Contacts with the Vichy Government.

extract Halifax: To go beyond this may be difficult for Vichy. They must be careful "to avoid rousing German suspicions"
extract Halifax: We have received written assurances from Vichy that France will retain her fleet and Empire and not attack UK
person Charles de Gaulle
person Samuel Hoare
person Maxime Weygand
person Adolf Hitler
place Great Britain
place Greece
place Egypt
place Tangier
place Libreville
place Gibraltar
place London, Ontario
place Morocco
place Africa
place Madrid, New York
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
organisation Royal Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract Morrison: Production restored in Sheffield shortly. Civic authorities have stood the strain well, public morale excellent
extract General Dill: Heavy snow in Albania but Greeks making some small advances. War Office considering sending warm clothing
extract General Dill: Position in Bardia "developing slowly and favourably". 800 prisoners taken at Sidi Omar and more to come
extract Air Chief: Recent air fighting in Libya "extremely satisfactory". UK losses 10, enemy 77 certain and 25 probable
extract Air Chief: "Excellent results" from 3 nights of attacks on Mannheim. 100 tons of explosives, 14,000 incendiaries dropped
extract Halifax: Swiss have issued "very strong" protest over bombing of Basle. Claim clear visibility means "no possible excuse"
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Herbert Morrison
place Greece
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Albania
place Africa
place Burma
place Libya
organisation Home Office
organisation Royal Air Force
 

Friday 20th December 1940

Recruitment for Fire, Police and Civil Defence Services.

extract War Secretary to divert 16,000 men from recruitment to armed forces into Civil Defence. Will also release trained firemen
person Anthony Eden
organisation Home Office
 

Saturday 21st December 1940

Improved Street Lighting.

extract Morrison: Undesirable to improve streetlighting this winter. Public attach great value to as total a blackout as possible
person Herbert Morrison
place City of London
 

The Royal Message of Condolence for Civilians.

extract Morrison: Messages of condolence for civilians killed by enemy action too difficult to administer. Advise King be told
person Herbert Morrison
person Stephen King
organisation Home Office
organisation Air Force F.C.
 

Sunday 22nd December 1940

The Position in Spain.

extract Hoare: Do not expect gratitude or common sense, much less political sense. UK will "face endless gaffes and provocations"
extract Hoare: "If it is any comfort...they treat their own people even worse than they treat foreign Governments"
extract UK Ambassador Madrid Samuel Hoare to Lord Halifax: "I am really getting hopeless over the Spanish position"
person Samuel Hoare
person E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax
place Madrid, New York
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
 

Monday 23rd December 1940

Transport of Coal.

extract Anderson: Coal stocks below demand. "Reserves will not meet the situation". Rail disruption, shipping attacks to blame
person John Anderson (Australian politician)
place South Wales
place Birmingham
place Bristol
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet agrees no attacks to be launched over Christmas unless "enemy should bomb this country heavily on Christmas Eve"
extract PM: Think "bombing operations against Italy and Germany" should be suspended on both night before and after Christmas Day
extract Air Secretary: "Unfortunate" if flights halted. Only a few nights suitable. Appreciate "a big political point involved"
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM Churchill formally tells Cabinet Lord Halifax is to step down as Foreign Secretary to become UK Ambassador Washington
extract Halifax: Swiss have asked their airspace not be "violated" on Christmas night. Hope it will be possible - for goodwill
extract Air Chief: After enquiries "strongly of the opinion" bombing of Basle "not done by our machines". Halifax to inform Swiss
extract General Dill: 37,000 prisoners now captured in Libya. Greek advance of 4km, 3 Italian bombers downed by small arms fire
person Charles de Gaulle
person John Maffey, 1st Baron Rugby
person E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax
person Winston Churchill
place Freetown
place Greece
place Egypt
place Manchester
place Cranborne
place Liverpool
place Africa
place Dublin
place Libya
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Coastal Command
 

Tuesday 24th December 1940

Third Report on the Ministry of Aircraft Production.

extract Beaverbrook: Aircraft production lines “becoming very thin” but in 1940 we have added "substantially" to RAF strength
place Birmingham
 

Thursday 26th December 1940

British Broadcasting Corporation.

extract Chancellor recommends government strengthens grip on BBC but stops short of saying it “should assume complete control”
person Kingsley Wood
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
organisation BBC
 

Friday 27th December 1940

United States activities in the West Indies and other British Dependencies.

extract Colonial Secretary: "Gravely disturbed" by US demands in Caribbean. We risk "being false" to the Colonies and UK public
person Telesforo Trinidad
place Bermuda
place Caribbean
place Jamaica
place Washington
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation United States Department of State
 

Meeting minutes

extract Morrison: 18,500 people successfully rehoused in Sheffield. Homeless there reduced to about 1,500
extract Talks proceeding on new finance deal with US. President Roosevelt hopes to put matter before Congress in "a few days"
extract General Dill: Some Sikh troops in Hong Kong apparently object "to wearing steel helmets". A number have been arrested
extract General Dill: Unconfirmed reports of German troops moving through Hungary, either to Roumania, Yugoslavia or Bulgaria
extract General Dill: Preparations for attack on Bardia continuing. Garrison believed to be 13,400. 40,000 prisoners now taken
person Walter Hines Page
person Herbert Morrison
place Athens
place Greece
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Hungary
place Hong Kong
place Manchester, New Hampshire
place Bulgaria
organisation Ministry of Supply
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Morning Star (UK newspaper)
organisation Indian National Congress
 

Man-Power for the Armed Forces.

extract Minister for Labour Bevin requests permission to widen Britain's call up age to include 19 year olds and those aged 37-40
person Ernest Bevin
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation United States Navy
 

Monday 30th December 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Morrison: Glasgow tramworkers refusing to work after "alert" sounded. Minister of Labour to take what action he can
extract Cabinet agrees to make further concessions to USA in Caribbean. Colonial Secretary: This will "lead to major friction"
extract PM Churchill: President's speech yesterday "satisfactory". US committed to "implacable hostility and resistance" to Axis
extract Eden: US Naval Attaché Berlin has given a "depressing account" of the lack of success of our bombing raids on Berlin
extract Morrison: Recent raid on Manchester and last night's attack make it clear our firewatching organisation is "inadequate"
extract PM Churchill: "Fullest publicity should be given to the damage caused". No military objectives were aimed at
extract Morrison: Overnight damage to London comparable in severity to 7th September raid. Over 300 casualties
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person George Cadogan, 3rd Earl Cadogan
person Herbert Morrison
person Telesforo Trinidad
place City of London
place Plymouth
place Hungary
place Bermuda
place Caribbean
place Manchester, New Hampshire
place Liverpool
place Gibraltar
place Berlin
organisation Home Office
organisation Minister of Economic Warfare
organisation United States Congress
 

Food situation in the United Kingdom. Report for November, 1940.

extract Food Minister: Meat ration will have to be cut after Christmas, cheese ration halved in January
 

Tuesday 31st December 1940

Meeting minutes

extract "...and as to the form which Hitler's counterstroke would be mostly likely to take"
extract Morrison: Adequate arrangements can keep fire risk "under control". The remedy is in our own hands
extract Home Secretary Morrison to broadcast tonight on the importance of firewatching. Firewatching duty to be made compulsory
person Herbert Morrison
person Adolf Hitler
organisation Home Office
organisation Indian National Congress