On 26 May, after sinking HMS Hood two days earlier, the German battleship Bismarck was torpedoed by Royal Navy aircraft; with her steering damaged she was brought to battle next day and sunk with most of her crew of 2,000 still on board. In Iraq, the British began to advance on Baghdad and members of the pro-Axis Government fled the country. In Crete, the success of the German invasion meant that British and Commonwealth forces were forced to evacuate the island. On 1 June, the rationing of clothes was introduced in Britain.

In Caithness, Thurso had been experiencing problems with its water supply for some time. The reservoir level had become very low, and the town’s water had even been turned off during off-peak hours to conserve supplies. The lack of available water in the district now had unfortunate consequences, when Janetstown Public Hall was gutted by fire in the early hours of Monday morning. The John O’Groat Journal reported: “Thurso Fire Brigade found that the flames had got a firm hold when they arrived at Janetstown. There was difficulty with the water supply. The hoses quickly drained two nearby ponds. Afterwards the water was pumped from a burn half a mile distant from the burning building.”

Wick Coastguard reported a plane crash at Dunbeath on 29 May. “We have a message to the effect that an aircraft has either made a forced landing or crashed in a field about 1½ miles from Dunbeath village. It is presumed to be a British Bomber Aircraft which has lost its bearing in the mist. It landed or crashed at 07-10 hours. Message sent to Dunbeath Police Station, Mrs Kennedy states that there are no casualties but the plane has crashed near Dunbeath Castle. The pilot reported at the Police Station”.

Earlier in the month, the Scottish Education Department had ruled that all children in Scottish schools should have their gas masks inspected weekly, and should also practice putting them on every week. The head teacher at Killimster School was obviously stung by this implication of neglect, for in his entry in the school log book on 30 May he wrote: “Since outbreak of War, the Headmaster has inspected all gas-masks fortnightly, and carried out gas mask drill weekly” – and underlined it in red.

Finally this week, the John O’Groat Journal reported that “A few people in Thurso had their first experience of tear gas the other day. No gas masks were used. It seems that the victims were two small girls. Apparently a thoughtless youth from Reay had brought a tube of the gas to Thurso and either intentionally or otherwise let some of it escape.” The reporter was not amused: “It hardly seems right that irresponsible youths should be allowed to carry tear gas about with them”.

Coming soon! Week 92, 2nd - 8th June 1941, will be published on Monday 2nd June 2014. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page.
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