Over in Norway British and French forces moved on Trondheim but were pushed back by German opposition. On 27 April the Allies abandoned attempts to take Trondheim and began to evacuate their troops from the area, though fighting continued elsewhere.

In Caithness, schools kept up their regular air raid drills. Pulteneytown Academy School log book laconically notes on 26 April “A.R.P. practice at 12.30”.

The records of the Caithness police show the toll these raids took on those German airmen who were the causes of the drills. A telephone message from PC Kennedy of Dunbeath to the Chief Constable at 11.30 on the morning of 25 April reads, “The body of a German airman has been washed ashore at Knockinnon, Dunbeath. The body is fully clothed, and there is an identity disc on it.”

The John O’Groat Journal this week was able to publish the names of the two “Nazi airmen” who were reported to have been buried in Week 32, Ernst Rost and Kurt Geerdts. They were buried in the same grave in Wick cemetery with full military honours, the first Germans to be buried in Wick.

At a meeting of Thurso Burgh Council the use of the town’s parks by the armed forces was under discussion. “[Provost Brims] was pleased to report that following on his meeting the proposals made by the Garrison Engineers for a canvas encampment in Sir George’s Park would not be proceeded with … Reference was made to the suggestion that the Naafi proposed to open a wet canteen in the pavilion of the Playing Fields. The Clerk was instructed to see the Secretary of the Committee and find out if this was the case, and if so to lodge objections.” (NAAFI stands for The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, is pronounced “naffy” and provides retail, leisure and catering services for Britain's armed forces.)

The John O’Groat Journal raised the question of the future of the herring fishing in time of war: “Continental markets are closed, even if a fleet were available to prosecute the fishing. Moreover, there remain, we understand, about 30,000 barrels of last year’s cure for which no market has been found.” Could not these fish be prepared, the paper asked, for home consumption, though tinning or kippering?.

Finally, and away from the war, it was announced this week that Scott Sutherland, the celebrated sculptor originally from Wick, was awarded the Guthrie Award for the best work in the Royal Scottish Academy Exhibition for a sculpture titled “Labor Vincit”. Though even here the war was inescapable: “At present Mr Sutherland is serving with an anti-aircraft unit in the North”.  

Coming soon! Week 35, 29th April  - 5th May 1940, will be published on Monday 29nd April 2013. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page.

Come and join us on Facebook, let us know what you think about Caithness At War, ask any questions you may have or just say hello! Click on the Facebook icon on the right hand menu to be taken directly to our page.