The start of a new year saw the war hanging very much in the balance. Germany had conquered Western Europe and invaded Russia, but had just been thrown back from the gates of Moscow. Japan had stunned America by destroying its fleet at Pearl Harbor and sweeping through the Far East – this week they conquered Kuala Lumpur and invaded the Dutch East Indies – but it was only a matter of time before the USA would be able to respond. In the North African desert, neither British nor German forces had been able to strike a decisive blow: Rommel had ended the old year by retreating to El Agheila in Libya, where he was now regrouping.
In Caithness and Sutherland the John O’Groat Journal reported that the New Year had been quietly celebrated. “Since the war, various factors have prevented the usual festivities… The black-out, rationing, extreme shortage of seasonable fare, and most of all the absence of relatives and friends, have combined to make this year’s celebrations the quietest since the last war.”
Hetty Munro of Thurso returned to duty in Orkney this week after spending the festive season partying back home
in Caithness. She wrote in her diary: “Came back on 5 Jan – very seasick and had to go to bed for a few days. Quiet time after I returned.”
Winter was always the time when members of the Home Guard had to find a balance between work and duty. George King from the Pentland Estate office at Berriedale wrote this week to Major McHardy: “Regarding George Grant, Shepherd at Ousdale, who is one of your Home Guard. I would be exceedingly obliged if he could be partially exempt during the winter and lambing season. At other times I shall see that he has a regular attendance.”
Across the county schools were going back after the New Year. The Head Teacher of 
Thrumster School near Wick noted an unusual reason for the low turnout in the School Log Book on 9 January: “The presence of the threshing-mill in the district and minor ailments among the pupils have adversely affected the attendance for this week.”
Naval practice shells continued to rain down upon the inhabitants of the north Caithness coast. On 8 January the Thurso police reported that one shell had landed in
the plantation at Forss, and another near Dounreay School. “A warship was carrying out firing practice a few miles off shore north of Forss, there being an aeroplane which was carrying a target close by… With the exception of a tree which was knocked down by the shell which fell in Forss Plantation, there was no damage done and there was no one injured.”
Finally this week, the John O’Groat Journal reported the success of the Canisbay Hall Christmas Treat. The programme included “sketches and dialogues, carols, recitations and solos, selections on the mouth organ, the piano and the melodeon.” But the highlight was “the appearance of “Santa Claus”, flown all the way from Archangel in a real, live bomber, fashioned in a local arsenal, and bearing the proud title of “The Kennedy Bomber with the Mowatt Engine “. After discoursing on the merits of his beloved aircraft, “Santa” presented every child with a very acceptable present, and departed to further climes amid tremendous applause.”
