The failure of the British “Operation Battleaxe” to relieve Tobruk in the Western Desert resulted in General Wavell being replaced by General Auchinleck. On 22 June Germany finally launched “Operation Barbarossa”, invading the Soviet Union with over 3 million men, making for Moscow, Leningrad and the Caucasian oilfields. Despite plenty of warning that the invasion was imminent, Soviet border defences were quickly overwhelmed.

The John O’Groat Journal reported this week that contrary to expectations many small boats were going out to fish this season: “even with the absence of the younger fishermen the boats are not to be idle”. Some were motor-powered, “but most of them get along by means of oar or sail, and a crew of two or three is usually sufficient to man them… The good prices offer a big encouragement, for even the “cudden” [coalfish or Pollack] which was never marketed in the past is now a sound commercial proposition. And the other day a halibut landed at Caithness harbour was sold for £13!”

Despite the diversion of so many of Germany’s armed forces into Russia, Caithness continued to be harassed by the Luftwaffe, disrupting lessons all across the county. On 17 June the head teacher noted resignedly in the log book of Pulteneytown Academy, “’Alert’ at 1.52pm, “All Clear” at 2.06pm; whole afternoon again lost.”

But it wasn’t only enemy action that affected school attendances. The log book of Thrumster School for 20 June reads: “Miss Cameron of the Queen’s Institute of District Nursing visited the school this afternoon and gave the children an interesting talk on “How to be healthy”. The attendance has been affected this week by peat lifting, weed gathering, toothache & minor ailments”.

Finally this week, the John O’Groat Journal had the story of a Wick boy who was sentenced to six strokes of the birch rod. The boy, “who had a bad record” and who wasn’t named, “had broken into a garage in June 1940 and maliciously damaged a motor car. He had three previous convictions.” Now the patience of Sheriff Potter had run out: “Instead of [mending his ways], this boy had flagrantly continued his career of crime. He had been before the Sheriff and the Police Courts on four or five different occasions, and had never been sentenced, but simply admonished. All other courses having failed, the time had now come for action, and accordingly he ordered the boy to receive six strokes of the birch.”

Coming soon! Week 95, 23rd - 29th June 1941, will be published on Monday 23rd June 2014. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page.
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