As the German advance on Moscow ground to a halt in a sea of mud the German High Command finally suspended operations on 31 October until conditions could improve and they could sort out their severe supply problems. In the warmer and drier Crimea, however, German forces reached as far as Sevastopol. Also this week, US President Roosevelt approved $1 billion in Lend-Lease to the Soviet Union; and on 31 October the Nazi SS commander in Estonia reported that virtually all Estonian Jews had been eliminated.

It wasn’t only Russia that had a taste of winter this week: the Latheron School log book records: “October 30th: Very wet day – attendance affected. October 31st: Colds were prevalent during week. Snow fell on October 29. Percentage [of attendance] fell to 84.4%”

Elsewhere, the call of the air raid siren still disrupted classes in Wick. On 30 October the Headmaster of Pulteneytown Academy recorded in the log book: “Air Raid Siren sounded at 9.10 this morning. “All Clear” at 9.40 a.m. There was considerable doubt among teachers and pupils as to the assembly of the school. After consultation with the Director of Education, the Headmaster dismissed the pupils who had arrived and reassembled the school at 11.15 a.m.”

The Director of Education, Ian McHardy, was also a Colonel in the Home Guard. On 1 November he wrote to the clerk of the Education Committee regarding the superannuation arrangements of teachers, and added in passing: “I note that you have entered Mr Strathdee under “Army War Service”. He was a Conscientious Objector but I shall be glad to learn that your information is correct.”

 Unidentified objects were still being washed up regularly along the coast of Caithness, and they all had to be investigated. On 31 October the Coastguard notified the Wick police that “We have received a report to the effect that an object believed to be a mine is floating in the sea about 100 yards from the shore at Sandside, Reay.” The note adds that the Senior Naval Officer at Thurso had been informed.

 The John O’Groat Journal reported this week that in future all fishing boats over 50 feet in length had to “carry emergency rations for each person on board on the following scale: Preserved meat, 4lb.; biscuits, 7lb.; tea, 4oz.; sugar, 1lb; condensed milk, one 1lb tin; soup of a meat basis – if procurable – two 1lb tins.” On the face of it this sounds quite generous, especially in wartime, until you consider how long a stranded fisherman might have to survive in hostile conditions until rescued.

Coming soon! Week 114, 3rd - 9th November 1941, will be published on Monday 3rd November 2014. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page.

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