The Battle of Kursk continued this week, as the Germans desperately tried to break through the Soviet defences. On 12 July the largest tank battle in history was fought at Prokhorovna, with some 1,500 tanks involved. It was a German defeat. After this, the Germans were on the defensive in the east as the Soviets began a series of counter-attacks. Meanwhile, the Allies continued their invasion of Sicily, with Patton and Montgomery’s armies moving up the western and eastern coast respectively.
The John O’Groat Journal this week proudly featured a photograph of three “well-known Wick Territorials” reading the John O’Groat Journal in their desert camp in North Africa. The soldiers concerned were Sergeant John Muir, RSM George Durrand and CSM Alexander Mackay.
Also in the John O’Groat Journal, Norseman asked, “Is it true that Wick is being threatened by an invasion of rats? If the numerous complaints are not grossly exaggerated there is certainly danger ahead if something is not done to check the rat population in the environs of the town… In any event the rat problem could form a fruitful subject for debate at a meeting of the Town Council.”
Thurso Burgh meanwhile had had a visit from the formidable Miss Kidd, an inspector from the Ministry of Works in Aberdeen, regarding salvage. Miss Kidd had “indicated that contractors would be sent north at an early date to commence removal” of the town’s railings, but the Burgh Surveyor had been able to persuade her that other scrap metal should be considered first. She had also requested the removal of the guns in Sir John Square, Dr Smith’s Memorial Fountain, and the water trough in Olrig Street: “the Council agreed to the removal of the guns but would not consent to the removal of the Memorial Fountain.”
Finally this week, the John O’Groat Journal reported the following story: “Imagine the reactions of a John O’Groat Journal reader (resident in an English home) when he heard the good woman of the house, who was glancing through the Groat, ask, “What is this Anti-Aircraft Bull?” Whether or not he recovered sufficiently to explain that an A.A. bull is an Aberdeen Angus is not known.”
Coming soon! Week 203, 19th – 25th July 1943, will be published on Monday 18th July 2016. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page.
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