Caithness At War - Week 64

21st November 2013

Week 64: 18-24 November 1940
18 November 1940

This week the Greek counter-offensive against the Italian invasion forces succeeded in driving the Italians all the way out of Greece, and pushed them back into Albania. Also, Hungary and Romania signed the Tripartite Pact and joined Germany, Italy and Japan in the Axis.

Back in Caithness, the John O’Groat Journal helpfully began posting Blackout times forBlack-out times for Wick (John O' Groat Journal 22.11.1940) Wick, which ran from approximately five o’clock in the evening to just before nine in the morning. (But remember, during the war Britain adopted Double British Summer Time, with the clocks one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in winter and two hours ahead in summer.)
Crashed aircraft at Brubster. 18.11.1940Wick Police recorded the crash of a British plane on Monday 18 November, “on marshy ground 1 mile East of Achnacly, Brubster, Reay. The Pilot was uninjured, but the plane was smashed. Castletown aerodrome was informed, and they took charge of the plane.”

As if the war hadn’t produced enough hardships already, now it appears there was a chocolate shortage. The John O’Groat Journal reported that, “So"Chocolates" article in John O' Groat Journal (22.11.1940) little is allowed [to retailers] that their monthly supplies last only two days”. To make matters worse, even though the bulk of chocolate supplies went to the forces’ canteens, it was also servicemen who bought it from shops, “with the result that the amount of chocolate available for the civilian is almost non-existent.”

Reports and alerts of survivors 19.11.1940Making a change from the usual refugees and survivors of sunken merchant ships passing through Scrabster, this week it was the turn of enemy prisoners. On Tuesday 19 November the Caithness ARP Control centre reported: “22 Prisoners of War (5 officers and 17 [men]) arrived in Scrabster this afternoon under Military escort. They will leave Thurso tonight by the 20.00 hour train”.

Finally this week, the John O’Groat Journal reported a change of leadership for the Thurso Home Guard platoon, as Colonel D. Keith Murray was"Home guard" article from John O' Groat Journal (22.11.1940) stepping down. This was reported in “Thurso Notes” by “Thor”, so the writer may not been altogether unbiased, but he claimed, “The Thurso platoon is rumoured to be the most go-ahead one in the county, and is carrying on a steady programme of lectures, demonstrations and training in the use of the Lewis gun and Browning automatic. Although,” he continued, “the wisdom of maintaining its road blocks is open to question, it has at least been more consistent than some parts of the country districts where, when the threat of invasion was at its height, many Home Guards got six weeks’ holiday to take in the harvest!” And Thor waspishly concluded, “Some of them appear to be still on holiday…”

Coming soon! Week 65, 25th November - 1st December 1940, will be published on Monday 25th November 2013. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page.
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