THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

It is reported from Paris that 3,500 3-inch field guns have been found by the Inter-Allied Commission in the vicinity of Berlin alone and altogether 12,000 have so far been discovered throughout Germany, with 6,000 aeroplanes intact. According to the terms of the Treaty, Germany should have at the present time only 204 3-inch guns and no aeroplanes. Thus these discoveries have given rise to considerable scepticism in France as to the intentions of the Berlin government in asking to send troops into neutral zones.

50 years ago

The printing firm Woods of Perth Ltd has a particular interest in the record prices paid for stamps at this week’s sales in London and New York. Not only did they print the magnificent illustrated catalogue, but the man who arranged the sale of the rarities, Mr Robson Lowe, is governing director of the firm. The highlight of the sale was when the world’s rarest stamp, a British Guiana 1 cent black on magenta, sold in New York for £116,668. It was auctioned on behalf of an Australian philatelist, who chose to remain anonymous.

25 years ago

South African president Nelson Mandela yesterday sacked his firebrand wife Winnie personally from the government she has taken to personally criticising. In an eight-line letter delivered to her office, he said: “Dear Mrs Mandela, I have decided to terminate your appointment as Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology with immediate effect. Thank you for the services you have rendered to the government so far.” The dramatic move ended weeks of speculation and was announced at a news conference.

One year ago

A dramatic air-and-sea rescue operation was launched after a woman fell down cliffs at Arbroath. The 20-year-old plunged on to rocks while out walking, triggering a major emergency response. A coastguard helicopter was scrambled to the scene, while lifeboat crews and coastguard teams were placed on stand-by. The woman was airlifted to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. Her condition was not known last night. Ambulance crews contacted coastguard officers for help after a member of the public raised the alarm.