The Germans were finally forced to halt their attack on Moscow on 5 December in the face of fierce resistance and freezing temperatures. The Germans believed the Soviets had no reserves left, but Stalin had summoned fresh troops from Siberia and the Far East, and on the same day as the Germans called off their advance they launched a counter-offensive during a blizzard. In North Africa, Rommel, short of supplies, withdrew 10 miles westward to a new defensive position at Gazala, west of Tobruk. Then on 7 December the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the US fleet at Pearl Harbor, killing over 2,300 people; Japan declared war on the United States and the United Kingdom, and launched a number of attacks across the Pacific and Far East.

Back in Caithness, the people were participating in Scotland’s “Week of Witness” to the world-wide mission of the church. As the John O’Groat Journal observed, “In towns and villages people gathered to bear “witness” of the Message which has ever given spiritual faith to millions of Christians.”

Services were held in schools across the county, conducted by the local Minister. The head teacher for Stemster School in Bower wrote in the log book on 2 December: “Divine service held in school for the pupils from 12-1 P.M. as this week is Scotland’s “Week of Witness”. Rev. D. McEchern, Bower, conducted the service. All the pupils were present.” Another service was held in the school on Sunday 7 December, but this time there was “very stormy weather, thus causing a poor attendance.”

Killimster School also held a service for all pupils on 2 December, this time conducted by Rev. Stephen Green of St Andrew’s Church in Wick. The county’s salvage drive was underway and the School Log Book entry for 5 December adds: “The Headmaster is pushing ahead with War Salvage, with the cooperation of pupils.”

The John O’Groat Journal reported that, “From December 8 free supplies of cod liver oil and blackcurrant juice or puree will be distributed to all children born on or after January 1 1940, that is those under two years of age.” The products would be available from designated centres; “orange juice will be available later in place of the blackcurrant juice.”

Following the recent damage to the Cooperative Society stores, the Society had written to the Wick Harbour Trust “for permission to use the ground behind the Fish Mart for the deposit of material from the bakery belonging to the Society, which was recently damaged by fire”. The Secretary of the Harbour Trust now replied, agreeing “to use the ground for the purpose at the sight of the Harbour Superintendent of Works.”

Finally this week, and remarkably, while the Germans outside Moscow struggled with blizzard conditions, some parts of Caithness were still bringing in the harvest. The John O’Groat Journal reported that in Reay “a good deal of grain is still ungathered and, although in hand-rick, the condition of both corn and straw cannot be too good.” Although some farms had secured their potato crop, “on other crofts and farms the crop is still in the ground.”

Coming soon! Week 119, 8th - 14th December 19401 will be published on Monday 8th December 2014. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page.

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