British Public Opinion and Military Intervention in Greece,December 1944–January 1945: Stories from Mass-Observation

Abstract

British military intervention in Greece in December 1944, in support of the anti-communist forces in the country, elicited a significant reaction at home, from left-wing politicians and trade unions as well as by the press. Indeed, records of the Mass-Observation organization, which became known for its practice of ‘Anthropology from Below’, indicate that the issue continued to hold the public’s interest for several months. This article discusses the inquiry conducted by Mass-Observation during December 1944 and January 1945 and analyses the views and feelings of ‘ordinary British citizens’ about British policy in Greece.