Transgressions: July, 1940

July 2, 1940, Tuesday

Women on the bus saying that things will get very bad and they don’t see how England can possibly win. There are pink brick constructions—possibly for ammunition—in the main streets, wire mazes in Whitehall &c.? But London still seems very solid and safe.

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July 6, 1940, Saturday

This summer it has only rained on week-ends.

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Guilty Men, an attack on the Appeasers.? Rather brave, under the circumstances.? Jack and Lord Cecil agree that the majority in Parliament are still loyal to Chamberlain and Halifax.

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People are buying two-shilling boxes of ear-plugs, to prevent concussion, and wear corks on strings round their necks to put into their mouths to prevent bursting ear-drums.? They look like slightly confused sommeliers.

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July 7, 1940

“US Diplomatic Reports.”

“Kennedy has reported a meeting with Halifax, in which the latter said that he had ordered a study of all available information and had been told that the German invasion of England would occur either the 8th or 9th of July or the 15th.

“Kirk, in Berlin, has once more seen the Italian Ambassador, who confirmed that the Italian Government wishes the United States to intervene with the British Government concerning possible peace terms before a German attack on Great Britain, the idea being that if this were done, Great Britain could expect relatively favorable terms.

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“The United States Ambassador in Spain has reported a conversation with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, in which both said that it was imperative that the war end now.? They also stated their opinion that Germany had defeated France because of “the superior organization of its society”, and that other countries not similarly organized should give way to Germany.? The Ambassador commented that the Windsors believe that they will be in a powerful position in Great Britain in event of such a peace.

“The local French commander in Beirut has been replaced and his chief of staff in Damascus arrested for planning to have fully equipped units join the British in Palestine.

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“The Swedish government has accepted a German demand allowing Germany to use Swedish railroads for the transportation of supplies and unarmed soldiers into Norway.? The agreement took place on June 21, but has just become known.”

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July 10, 1940

The Luftwaffe has attacked shipping convoys off the south-east coast of England.

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?July 12, 1940, Friday

Rain, as it is the week-end.

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Kenneth Clark has been put in charge of a Ministry of Information campaign called the “Silent Column,” to stop rumors.? There are to be posters about “Miss Leaky Mouth,” “Mr Knowall,” and “Mr Glumpot,” and the public is to be instructed to “Tell these people to join Britain’s Silent Column.”

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Livia:? “Miss Leaky Mouth:? Too delicious.”? Another Dorchester party.

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July 13, 1940

Jack says that the Germans are expected to next attack Spain and Portugal.

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July 15, 1940, Monday

?St Swithin’s Day:? pouring rain.

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“US Diplomatic Reports.”

“Harvey Klemmer of the American Embassy here believes that if this country were bombed for two or three months it would surrender.

“A week ago Bullitt sent Hull and the President an account of conversations he had with Pétain and other members of the French Government on July 1, in which Pétain told him that he thought that England would soon be conquered and destroyed by Germany.? Admiral Darlan had said he expected a British defeat or surrender within five weeks, perhaps following a German blockade, including the occupation of Ireland.? German defeat of the United States and world conquest would follow.? He said that he had information to the effect that German troops were about to pass or were already passing through northwestern Spain to seize Portugal. Bullitt’s next cable included an account of conversations he had with the Foreign Minister, Baudouin, who wishes to bring France into war on the side of Germany, in order to obtain better terms for itself.?

“The United States Consul General at Casablanca reports that war between Great Britain and France is expected.? The local French authorities in Beirut are adhering to the Pétain Government and are maintaining correct, but uneasy, relations with the British in Palestine.? There are unconfirmed rumours of Weygand’s presence in Syria.

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“Shipping news:? A ship is being sent to Petsamo to evacuate American citizens and the Crown Princess of Norway and her family.

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“General Chiang has stated that the Japanese War Ministry is pressing the Japanese Government to declare war against Great Britain.? There is much Japanese activity in Indo-China.

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July 17, 1940, Wednesday

Since St Swithin’s Day there has been ceaseless rain and wind.

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Britain, under pressure from Japan, has agreed to close the Burma Road.

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July 19, 1940

Hitler, appealing to “reason and common sense in Great Britain . . . I can see no reason why this war need go on.”? Much smoke about the Government moving to Canada covering continuing conversations in Sweden, according to Lord Cecil.

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General Ironside has issued a gloomy statement about the “irreplaceable loss” of the BEF and their equipment.

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July 20, 1940, Saturday

Lovely clear weather.? No public response to Hitler’s peace appeal.

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July 22, 1940

“US Diplomatic Reports.”

“The United States Chargé in Estonia reports that he has been told that the Anschluss is liable to take place in a few days, attaching the three Baltic states to the Soviet Union.? Hull has recalled the Minister in Latvia “for consultations.”

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“Hull has told the United States Ambassador in London to assign one of his staff to the Norwegian exiled government in London.? The Crown Princess has accepted the offer of the President of transportation to the United States.

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“The Kuomintang and the Communists have agreed to cooperate.”

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July 23, 1940

The Government have announced that they will not “reject Hitler’s peace offer out of hand.”

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Lord Cecil says that both Halifax and the President believe that the Duke of Windsor, as liaison between the British and French armies, had been sending wireless information to the Germans about Allied formations. “I don’t see why that would have been necessary, given the superb liaison relationship between the German and French general staffs.”

“Perhaps they sought to gratify the Duke’s sense of self-importance.”

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July 24, 1940, Wednesday

Rain all afternoon.

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July 25, 1940, Thursday

Livia and I went to see Churchill’s daughter, Sarah, act in a play of Ivor Novello’s, Murder in Mayfair, at the “Q” Theatre.? A rather good actress for the daughter of a First Lord of the Admiralty.

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Jack says that Halifax thinks the German invasion of Britain is now likely and, if not, a blockade with submarines is almost inevitable.

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Lunch at Waddesdon—just Nadine and Fiona.

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“The income tax has been raised to 8/6 per pound; with surtaxes, those earning 20,000 pounds or more to pay 18 shillings/pound.? There is to be a purchase tax at 16 2/3% for consumer goods, 33 1/3% for luxuries.”? Nadine.

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“Pity, Dukes and such will no longer to be able to dispose of a hundred times the income of a don, while the poorest workers continue to live on Dole rations.”? Fiona.

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Nadine:? “Actually, dear, it is the beginning of your revolution, isn’t it?? Set en train by a Tory Chancellor.”

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July 28, 1940

Priestley speaking on the wireless, criticizing the way the sacrifices of the First War had all gone to benefit unscrupulous business men.

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Burgess, who is at the Ministry of Information, has gotten Runciman a job there, on the Bulgarian desk of its Foreign Service.

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“On, or perhaps, at quiet moments, across the desk.”? Fiona.

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The Intelligence Department of the Air Ministry employs Haxton, John Strachey, Harold Acton and others such.? Haxton has just been put in charge of general political intelligence and of the Air Ministry Weekly Intelligence Summary and has asked for me to liaise with him on behalf of this station.? It is exactly like being back with one’s tutor.? But Acton?

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There appear to be efforts in Washington to begin to repair relations between the United States and the Soviet Union.

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July 31, 1940, Wednesday

“Our friends,” said Nadine, “Have now received news of imminent invasion from over 260 sources.? The main attack will be against the South, with diversions against Hull, Scotland and Ireland, which will be exploited if successful.? Parachutists will be used only in the South.? On the other hand, German troops are concentrating in the East and it is on the cards that Hitler has immediate designs against the Ukraine.? We will learn soon enough which way he moves.”

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The Government has proposed including books in the new Purchase Tax.? Sir Kingsley Wood says that books are of no commercial importance and, in any case, there are plenty of books in the country as it is.

“US Diplomatic Reports.”

“Laval, who has been in Paris, has told the U.S. Ambassador that the Germans were friendly, but that Ribbontrop and Hitler were too busy to meet with him.? He said that Daladier, Mandel, Reynaud, Blum and Leger would be tried for taking France into a war for which it was not prepared.? (Not without difficulty, as Mandel and Reynaud are in North Africa; Leger in Washington.)? Laval dislikes and distrusts the English and hopes that England will be defeated.? He believes that even if the first German attack fails, the Halifax Government will fall and be replaced by one led by Lloyd George, who he thinks is willing to reach an agreement with Germany.

“The new Governor General of French Equatorial Africa and the Governor General of the Belgian Congo remain pro-British.

“The new Estonian Parliament has “requested” admission to the Soviet Union.? Property has been nationalized.? The President of Estonia has asked that he and his family be taken under the protection of the United States and eventually allowed to go there.? Welles has authorized the issuance travel documents to him for passage to the United States.?

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“Japan is accumulating large stocks of aviation gasoline at Hainan Island.”

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