There was a real threat that Nazi Germany would invade Caithness
Recorded 4 years ago
About this recording
Caithness played a key role in Britain's defences amid fears of a possible invasion from across the North Sea following the German occupation of Norway from 1940.
In an interview that touches upon key World War Two themes, ranging from the Enigma code and Bletchley Park to the Battle of Britain, the Great Escape and the Atlantic convoys, Alistair Jack gives an insight into the Caithness At War heritage trail being developed by Sinclair's Bay Trust.
Alistair, who is Caithness Voluntary Group's development trust support officer, explains how the trail is initially focusing on 16 sites taking in Keiss, Wester, Skitten airfield, Reiss beach, Ackergill and Noss Head.
In addition, an app is being developed that will generate an augmented reality experience at some of the sites. It will be available as a free download. As well as the app, the information panels will have QR codes linking to a Caithness At War website that will allow trail users to access extra information, as well as wartime videos and photographs.
In collaboration with Wick Development Trust, the trail will then be continued into Wick. Alistair talks about plans for an aircrew memorial and replica Spitfire at Wick. It is hoped that other trusts or organisations will eventually get involved to help extend it across the remainder of the county.
Alistair says: "So much information has been lost, and so few people actually realise how important Caithness was.
"The reason there were so many defences around Sinclair's Bay is because there was a real threat that Nazi Germany was going to invade Caithness through Sinclair's Bay.
"They could have invaded from Norway. It was a long, flat, hard beach with easy access once they got past the flame barrage and tank traps at Wester out into the countryside beyond.
"They had two airfields very close by. They could have landed paratroopers and then created an air base. They had a lovely harbour at Wick where they could have created a U-boat base.
"And if they had managed do that it would have really hemmed in the Royal Navy at Scapa Flow - they could have launched attacks by air and by sea from Caithness against the fleet, and of course air raids from Caithness against southern Scotland and northern England.
"When done in conjunction with air raids from France at the same time, they would have had Britain in a pincer movement. Without a doubt we probably would have lost the war if they had managed to get a foothold in Caithness. There was a real, real concern that they would invade."
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Harry Gray
