In northern Russia, German and Finnish forces closed in on the city of Leningrad, which was now effectively cut off and under siege. As part of the “scorched earth” policy to deprive the German invaders of natural resources, the Russians destroyed the Dnieper Dam, then the largest in the world. British and Soviet troops invaded Iran in order to secure the oilfields. This week the “Shetland Bus” began, the name that was given to covert missions from Shetland to German-occupied Norway using converted fishing boats to land agents and equipment and to bring back refugees.
On 26 August Wick Police reported the following message: “A fighter aircraft crashed at Brabster, Canisbay, about 15-00 hours today and was completely wrecked. The pilot is safe and unhurt and states that he belongs to 4 Blue Section, Castletown. No. of aircraft Z.5215”
A series of exercises were held by the Caithness Home Guard this week to test military defences in the county. One of them involved an attack on the Headquarters of the 12th Cameronians at Watten Hall by a force disguised as the Red Cross, and the action-packed account of Sergeant Sutherland is worth quoting in full:
“Left Hall 05.00, four men & self. Proceeded on journey to Watten Hall. Sentry encountered 5 miles before coming to destination. Held up. Driver no bother getting past.
70 yards further on 2 sentries. Halted again, one suspicious consulted pal: came back, asked driver for pay book. Driver presented RAF identity card & [sentry] passed us on, despite fact driver wearing khaki coat & giving RAF pass.
Further on stopped car. Put case on stretcher. Bandaged head. [Crossed out – bandage too short stuck it on with spittle.] Patient looked well. Rosy red face. Two tommy guns between his legs covered with blanket.
Stopped again nearer Hall, Stopped alongside waggon and sentries. Driver just shouted, “Army Medical Corps”, & was waved on.
Coming to Hall, driver asked way to Hall & was shown way by one of the soldiers. He just drove up to door, stopped. We jumped/pulled out stretcher, carried it in. Sentry stood aside looking down at rosy smiling faced open eyed patient & let us in.
Had to drop stretcher in lobby, wouldn’t turn corner. Tossed patient off stretcher, grabbed tommy guns, & rushed Hall. Found at least 30 men in Hall which was pretty dim, being just after 05.30. Men were seated mostly round sides of Hall.
Cpl Lannall skipped cross floor to far side & started to shoot up towards far end. I did same on door side. Patient Pte. Morrison sprang for telephone at door & got it before been stopped. Pte. Shearer remained at door to cover our rear. Company taken completely by surprise & were some time before they pulled themselves together & we had to scoot.
Driver remained at wheel ready for quick getaway. He did a splendid job right through & we were jolly lucky in having him.”
And finally, back in April the SS Politician had famously run aground off Eriskay, allowing its cargo of thousands of cases of whisky to be salvaged by the islanders (the inspiration for the novel and film, ‘Whisky Galore’). Now the John O’Groat Journal sombrely reported that “A sequel has been the conviction of 46 islanders, one of them a hardy veteran of 85”. But, it added, “we need not think too harshly of the erring islesmen, for such a windfall would prove a strong temptation to all sorts of people living anywhere along the coast.”
