In Russia, German forces struggled to contain the Soviet counter-offensives following the Battle of Kursk. Elsewhere, on 19 July the Allies bombed Rome for the first time. On 22 July Patton’s troops took Palermo, the capital of Sicily. And on 25 July Mussolini was arrested in a bloodless coup in Rome, having lost the support of his own politicians and of the military.
The Receiver of Wrecks had an unusual case to deal with this week, arising from an incident the week before. The Steam Drifter Serapion out of Grimsby was “proceeding from Grimsby via Aberdeen to Faroe Fishing Grounds when at 1.15 a.m. on 17/7/43 she ran ashore in good weather at a point about 1 mile south of Keiss Harbour. Two members of the crew landed and one man stated on oath that man who was on watch at time of stranding was intoxicated.” As for the trawler, it “suffered fairly extensive damage and listed about 24° to starboard. (Subsequently salvaged)”
Also following on from last week, the John O’Groat Journal reported the debate in Thurso Town Council on the question of what scrap metal the burgh should contribute to the war effort. Mr Jolly objected to the sacrifice of the horse trough in Olrig Street: “I don’t think we should part with the trough at all. It’s the only place in town where horses can get a drink.” But Mr Custer disagreed: “I think we should sell it… It is a dirty old thing. It is obsolete, and an obstruction, and every year it costs us pounds for repairs. There are plenty of taps. All that carters have to do is take a pail with them.”
On 254 July the County Council considered last winter’s storm damage to Latheronwheel Harbour, “which might become serious unless attended to before the ensuing winter.” The Road Surveyor had surveyed the damage, “which consisted of considerable excavation behind the retaining wall adjoining the unclassified road leading to the Harbour, and that the excavations would have to be filled up with stones and cement.” The meeting agreed to have the repairs carried out.
Finally this week, the John O’Groat Journal warned its readers that “there may be less block chocolate available in the future” and that the sugar ration would allow for more sweets but less chocolate. This was not simply a question of wartime shortages, however: “Vitaminised chocolate is being stored against the time when the children of liberated Europe will need it… even if you have to go short, there is surely consolation in the fact that the fighting services are getting it and that we are laying plans for post-war child feeding.”
Coming soon! Week 204, 26th July – 1st August 1943, will be published on Monday 25th July 2016. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page.
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