With both sides exhausted in freezing temperatures, various offensives by the Soviet army before Moscow ensured that the Russian capital was secure. Meanwhile the Japanese advance continued as their soldiers captured Wake Island, the last American base between Hawaii and the Philippines, and Britain surrendered Hong Kong. And at the Arcadia Conference in Washington, America and Britain agreed on a joint strategy for the war, combining their forces and making the defeat of Germany their priority.
Caithness, as the John O’Groat Journal reported, “was quietly celebrated in the North, but the merry atmosphere, which even war cannot dispel, prevailed at all functions. Children’s parties were a special feature as usual in Caithness and Sutherland.”
Most of the schools in Caithness held a Christmas Treat for the children. The Head Teacher of 
Bower Public School recorded in the log book: “On Christmas Eve the children, with their parents and friends, enjoyed their Annual Treat.”
Some teachers recorded the details of their parties. On 23 December, for example, the Head Teacher of Stemster School noted: “Xmas Treat was held in School this morning. The message of Christmas 
was read, then suitable hymns sung. After that, the pupils gave a programme of recitations and songs, tea and cakes was then served and the Party was concluded with games. School closed for Xmas vacation.”
The John O’Groat Journal featured a report of the Christmas Tree Social organised by the Home Guard at Dounreay, and attended by visitors from Halkirk and Murkle. The event opened with a blessing and tea for the children. Then followed “selections on the bagpipes”, and a special song “composed by the “Bard of Reay”, Mr H Henderson, entitled, “A Song About Caithness Songs”… The great event of the evening was the arrival of “Santa”, who distributed gifts to all the children.”
Hetty Munro came back to Thurso from serving on Orkney for Christmas. As she recorded in her diary, “Next day 
I went on leave for Christmas & New Year and had a lovely quiet time. Went to an officers’ dance with the MacGregors and a bunch of people. Very amusing but rather different from Orkney dances. I twisted my foot but danced all evening with Jammy. I was laid up for a few days but after it was X-rayed and strapped I could walk again. Chub had a party on Hogmanay – mostly new people except for Edward, Keith, Pearl and I. Very good fun though.”
Finally this week, the John O’Groat Journal was looking ahead to the New Year, and the forthcoming “Old New Year” celebrations at the Breadalbane Ballroom on 14 January. “As usual, it will take the form of a supper, cabaret and dance. Miss H. Manson, Coolhill, Keiss, who is employed on the staff of the local Food Control Office, has been chosen as “Miss 1942” and will be the principal figure in the celebrations, along with “Father Time” and the “Spirit of the Year”.”
