In Libya, British and Commonwealth forces advanced on Tobruk, capturing the airfield on 7 January. In Albania, the Greek army captured the Klisura Pass and drove the Italians back. Meanwhile, President Roosevelt introduced Lend-Lease to Congress: after it became law in March the USA would go on to supply the Allies with over $50 billion of materiel. In the Mediterranean German planes flying from Sicily damaged HMS Illustrious, forcing her to abandon the escort of convoys to Malta: Malta was now effectively cut off and besieged.

The John O’Groat Journal this week summed up the general position in Caithness at the start of the New Year, and found reasons for optimism: “Arable farming has taken on a new lease of life, and, although fishing does not offer great scope these days, fishermen cannot complain about the prices for those catches which do reach the market.” Unemployment was down, and labour was even being drafted into the county. “Whatever else may be at fault, Caithness is not to suffer from stagnation in 1941.”

The Director of Education this week expressed his exasperation with proposals for the R.A.F. and the school to share Castletown School building. “This proposal is, in my opinion, unthinkable for several reasons, the principal of which is that any building housing troops is a legitimate point of attack and while the Hun at present takes no notice of the ordinary menaces of war that is no excuse for our disregard of what is in international law a natural convention… I cannot prevail on the Education Committee to appreciate [this]."

Still on the subject of education, the Council had long enforced a policy of not employing married women as teachers – one lady on the point of marriage was asked to resign last year. There is a certain irony, therefore, in a letter from the Director on 9 January in which he is forced to admit, “I am sorry that in this county we are just keeping our heads above water with the assistance of married women. There is no surplus teacher in the county as far as I am aware.”

Finally this week, it was announced that the traditional cabaret and supper for Old New Year’s Day (on 12 January) would be held: It “will include several novelty items in addition to the appearance of Miss Mabel Neil, Glasgow, Scotland’s champion tap-dancer. Chief interest, however, will centre round “Miss 1941” (Miss Isobel Macgregor) and her associates, “Spirit of the Year” and Father Time”.”

Coming soon! Week 72, 13th - 19th January 1941, will be published on Monday 13th January 2014. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page.
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