Censorship at Sea

[Maritime Michael Ian]

I was browsing through my books a day or so ago and came across a couple of photos, which I had included in my website but which I thought might be of interest!

The two photos are of the same scene, one censored (below)- The MGB Flotilla of Coastal Forces legend Lt. Commander R. P. Hitchens RNVR. This photograph was censored... the boat numbers were erased from the bows.... before being used in Gordon Holman's book "The Little Ships" printed by Hodder and Stoughton Ltd., London October 1943.opp. page 112. Bought by my father in Poole, Dorset, on 8th April used in a book printed in 1942.

2335

The MGB Flotilla of Lt. Commander R. P. Hitchens RNVR. This photograph, the same as above is uncensored (below) and shows the boats numbers. The photo was taken from "Hitch's" own boat MGB 64, and shows MGB 67 (Lt. Campbell RNVR) and astern MGB 63 (Lt. Bailey RNVP). Purnell's History of the Second World War, Weapons Book, No. 13 "The Buccaneers" by Brian Cooper 1970, pp 68 and 69.

Interesting how the powers that be sought (and still do of course) to hide things from us.... though people living in the areas at the time would have seen these MTBs and MGBs going out and returning.

Ian

[herakles]

How remarkable. And damned annoying too.

I for one am deeply opposed to censorship as it is always expressing a need of the censor. I do accept that there are times when censorship is necessary of course.

It strikes me that censorship affects us all but is usually directed at the very few. I do ask why we have to suffer because of the very few.

In the same way, I am very opposed to net censorship that so seems to be the flavour of the month. Perhaps it's because I object to someone else's moral standards being imposed on me.

The net is the first time for centuries that people have had the chance to express themselves honestly. I can't find any problem with that.

[astraltrader]

Herk - correct me if I am wrong - but I think that Ian is referring to censorship in WW2. I have the same views as you about censorship - unless there is a wartime situation...

[herakles]

Terry - yes I did realise that. I just took the opportunity to rattle the censorship can.

[kc]

This censorship thread is interesting, although I think in the modern day it is more to do with the military than the navy. How many internet videos have been seen showing the actions of US, UK and I expect many 'allied' nations' troops in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq recently. I expect there are some rules in place that ban or at least hinder such videos being taken, but it does not seem to have stopped them getting to the general public via the internet.

I know it is a very 'what if' question, but do you think WW2 might have been much different if there were such videos of military or indeed naval combat accessible to the public so readily as they are today? What if the sinking of the Hood was available as a video online within 24 hours of the event?

[herakles]

It must be recognised that videos of ANYTHING are readily available on the net. Right down to those taken using a mobile phone.

I remind you of 2 that caused a furore. There was the famous one taken at Guantanamo Bay and the one taken of British soldiers in Iraq.

Things like these get huge coverage. Consider the use that U tube is put to. And they do much to galvanise public opinion.

In WW1 there was no coverage except a few contrived films made by the authorities. I recall the "nice" one made of the attack on the Somme.

Then, as in WW2, news was always late appearing and heavily censored when it did. Or it never appeared. I am thinking particularly of coverage of the Gallipoli campaign. The British Govt. applied a blanket ban to any information.

I have no doubt that had such footage of hostilities been available in WW1 or WW2, public attitudes would also have been galvanised and not the way the authorities would have liked.

The hostility toward the involvement in Iraq I am sure is partly due to this.

To me, this is the strength of the net. That despite earnest efforts to control it, the net gives freedom of expression. You either agree that this is a good thing or you don't.

[romft1945]

Censorship is used as a weapon by those who can not express themselves and choose to close the door on anything they do not agree with,anuway Michael nice photos does the book give any indication of the ID of the armed Trawler in the background,
Cheers Rom

[Maritime Michael Ian]

Hi Rom,

Sorry but looking through past postings I find that I've not answered a few people, so am trying to rectify the situation!.. Re the trawler in the photos of Hutch's flotilla, regrettably there is no mention of it at all.,Pity because they did a pretty good job and were easy targets weren't they!

Regards

Ian

[romft1945]

Hi Rom,

Sorry but looking through past postings I find that I've not answered a few people, so am trying to rectify the situation!.. Re the trawler in the photos of Hutch's flotilla, regrettably there is no mention of it at all.,Pity because they did a pretty good job and were easy targets weren't they!

Regards

Ian

Thanks Ian will do my best to id it for you
Peter

[John Odom]

On censorship: I admit it is sometimes essential, but usually useless.

Before WWII we lived in Panama. My father had a Weltini Itallian-made 35 mm Camera he had bought in Spain in the early '30s. We were on a picnic, in a public park and daddy took a picture of the Miraflores Locks of the canal. A pair of USN SPs arrested him and took his camera. There had been no notice or warning. The US was not at war. His defense was photos from the same vantage point, purchased at local souvenier shops. One shop was German owned, the other Japanese owned. He also purchased engineering drawings of the lock from the Panama Canal Comission bookstore. Dad was released and cleared of any wrongdoing, but never got his camera or film back!

This was obviously harassment, and unjustified.

[nigelweysom]

you may be interested in this quote from a member of HMS Whirlwinds crew dated 31,8,1945 "entered Hong Kong all censorship now removed ,what a lovely felling that was to be able to write what you like,without one of your own officers reading it . "

[Forester]

There's a photo of HMS Forester that hung on Dad's wall in which the ship has no Radar or HF/DF. When I looked on the Imperial War Museum website there she was again, but with all equipment on display. (Both photos are taken on the same occasion.)

The reason for the censorship in this case is fairly obvious. The censor has even wiped out the background so you can't tell the ship was leaving the Tyne after refit.

[MelQuick]

Hi Forester

Thanks a lot for sharing the pictures of HMS Forester with us. I particularly like the second pic.

Mel

[Ednamay]

Censorship regarding individuals was also a problem during the war. My grandparents received a very bald telegram concerning my cousin's death (they were his guardians/next of kin), no information about when or where.

Only after the war, one of his friends told them he was in a Russian convoy; his ship was torpedoed but in daylight so the crew was rescued by several ships and he was on a destroyer. The destroyer was also torpedoed, but at night so no crew were rescued.

Perhaps it was necessary at the time, but they never received any further official communication, only the original 'missing, presumed dead'.

Edna

[Choppy Sea]

Censorship regarding individuals was also a problem during the war. My grandparents received a very bald telegram concerning my cousin's death (they were his guardians/next of kin), no information about when or where.

Only after the war, one of his friends told them he was in a Russian convoy; his ship was torpedoed but in daylight so the crew was rescued by several ships and he was on a destroyer. The destroyer was also torpedoed, but at night so no crew were rescued.

Perhaps it was necessary at the time, but they never received any further official communication, only the original 'missing, presumed dead'.

Edna

My brother was buried at sea after Kite was sunk but as far as the Admiralty is concerned he will always be " missing presumed dead".