This week the Germans launched Operation Drum Roll, a U-boat offensive off the coast of America. US merchant ships were caught unprepared and were easy prey, leading the U-boat commanders to name this period “The Second Happy Time”. Also this week, the Soviet army launched new offensives against the Germans outside Moscow. And from this week onwards Polish Jews from Lodz, under the pretence of being “resettled”, were in fact transported to the new Chelmno Concentration Camp; ultimately 10,000 people would be sent there.

In Caithness, the dark and stormy weather, together with seasonal colds, was having an impact on the new school term. The Head Teacher of Crossroads School in Dunnet recorded in the log book on 16 January, “Colds among the pupils and stormy weather have affected the attendance adversely this week. No. on roll - 4.”

But Killimster School in Wick faced a different problem. On the same day their log book notes, “A good attendance all week. Each morning work is badly held up owing to darkness; no lamps working in the school."

Meanwhile the danger of mines washing ashore in Caithness continued, and these were sometimes dealt with by direct action. On 17 January the 9th Seaforth Highlanders at Ackergill sent the following message to the police at Wick: “There is a mine floating in Reiss Bay about ¾ mile off Ackergill beach. Our men are trying to destroy it by Bren gun fire. Have informed the Naval Authorities in Wick.”

On 12 January the SS Empire Parsons ran aground on Stroma. The Receiver of Wrecks recorded the incident in the log: “Vessel proceeding in convoy through Pentland Firth when all shore lights were suddenly extinguished. A gale was blowing at time & a strong ebb tide was flowing. The “Empire Parsons” was in ballast & went aground at Scarton Point on S.E. point of Stroma Island. Crew were taken off by Breeches Buoy. Vessel badly damaged – engine room flooded.”

Finally this week, Wick celebrated the “Miss 1942” supper, dance and cabaret show. All proceeds were to go to the Aid to Russia Fund, and the event was advertised with the slogan, “Russia Calling – Caithness: Give Russia a pat on the back and come to the annual county event to celebrate Old New Year.” But the war had its impact even here: “As no Rationed Goods can be purchased for the catering, a Special Appeal is made to Well-Wishers. What about a small portion of your Sugar, Tea and Butter?”

Miss 1942 was Miss H. Manson of Keiss, which led “Norseman” in the John O’Groat Journal to rhapsodise that “it is only in the country districts of Caithness that we find that genuine fragrance, that exquisite beauty, that enthralling combination of line and colour that never fail to tug at the heart of the susceptible male. Not in the petrol-laden atmosphere of Bridge Street can we hope to find beauty of the front rank … Congratulations to Miss 1942! Well done, Keiss!”

Coming soon! Week 125, 19th - 25th January 1942, will be published on Monday 19th January 2015. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page.

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