On 7 October Germany invaded Romania, which was already a German ally, as part of a policy of forming a barrier against the Soviet Union. On 12 October Hitler again postponed the invasion of Britain, this time to the spring of 1941 (leading Winston Churchill to quip that Britain is "waiting for the long-promised invasion. So are the fishes"). Also on 12 October the Royal Navy defeated several Italian ships near Malta at the Battle of Cape Passero.

Schools in Caithness returned after the long summer break at the start of the month. Unlike many other schools in the county, Thrumster Public School had been granted a concession “for pupils under seven years of age to attend school owing to the Headmaster having erected an air raid shelter capable of holding all children under seven”. (How the children felt about this “concession” is not recorded!)

Although Hitler had postponed the invasion again, the skies above Caithness still saw plenty of activity. The police recorded that “An aircraft was heard over Keiss at 21.17 hours by the A.A. Battery, its engine was heard to cut out, and the A.A. men saw the plane crash into the sea. It is not known whether it was a British plane or an enemy plane.”

The Home Guard lost one of its members this week, as George Seaton of Lybster district resigned in sheer frustration at the bureaucracy: “As I have done nothing but fill up documents since May and heard nothing further I presume my services are not desired.”

Finally, a curious incident happened at Folly Farm, Thurso, this week: a plane had passed overhead, and at the same time an object hit the ground, buried itself in it, and detonated (though without injuring anyone). The R.A.F. came and dug down to a depth of four and a half feet, only to find a 4.5-inch naval practice shell. It seems to have been fired from a ship at sea, and “it was a coincidence the plane passing overhead at the time the whistle of the shell was heard.”

Coming soon! Week 59, 14th - 20th October 1940, will be published on Monday 14th October 2013. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page.
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