In Norway the German advance continued, and so did the fighting. It was a confused situation, with British and French troops still being landed in some places while others were being evacuated elsewhere. But by the end of this week Norwegian resistance in the south and centre of the country had effectively ended, leaving the Germans in control, while bitter fighting would continue around Narvik in the north for the rest of the month. On 29 April King Haakon and the Norwegian government relocated to Tromsø in the far north of the country.

The increased threat from German air attacks, now that the “Phoney War” was over, was reflected in the call from the Provost in a meeting of Wick Burgh Council on 29 April for “volunteers to supply blood for transfusions, which may be necessitated by enemy action”.

Meanwhile, Wick was serving as a transit point for German prisoners of war, presumably captured in Norway. The Caithness Police records show that three German prisoners “were lodged in the cells at Wick Police Station at 12 midnight on Tuesday, 30th April. They left for the South by train at 9 a.m. on Wednesday 1st May.”

There was a dramatic rescue operation in Wick bay on Tuesday 30th when the Aberdeen fishing trawler “Strathalford” was driven onto the rocks on the north side of the bay in pitch darkness, and was wrecked. Sadly three men died in the accident but seven were saved by the Wick Lifeboat and Rocket Apparatus Crew over a harrowing period of several hours, the crew clinging to the ship and its rigging in the dark while a crowd of people gathered on shore. (The Orkney Image Library has a photograph of a foundered steamer which may be the Strathalford, or one very much like her: http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/imagelibrary/picture/number25571.asp)

The John O’Groat Journal reported that, “The other day some Caithness whisky was suspected of containing methylated spirits.” A sample had been sent to Aberdeen for analysis, but was found to be uncontaminated. In a sign that not much has changed in the last 70 years or so, the paper blamed the Chancellor’s tax on whisky and complained that “the price is now so terrifying in itself that that the added fear of being landed with Red Biddy [i.e., cheap alcohol mixed with meths] into the bargain is enough to shake to the foundations that British phlegm of which Caithnessmen have more than their share”.

Finally this week we are indebted to George Sinclair who has sent us a scanned image of his mother’s “Northern Protected Area” permit. As regular readers of this blog will be aware, a large part of the Highlands was sealed off during the War and residents and visitors required a special pass to enter or leave. This pass was issued in London and allowed Miss Angusina Mackay of Lairg, Sutherland, to enter only “Number One Protected Area” for a period of three months, on condition she also carried her National Identity card (green). The permit is very specific as to where she cannot go. “This permit is not valid for that part of the Mainland enclosed by the line: Mouth of the Little Gruinard River, Achnasheen, Cluanie Inn, road to Tomdoun and Invergarry, southwards via eastward boundary of Protected Area; thence Glen Tarbert Loch, Sunart, Salen, Acharacle and Loch Moidart, together with all islands within ten miles thereof, including the whole of Skye.”

Coming soon! Week 36, 6th - 12th May 1940, will be published on Monday 6th May 2013. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page. 

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