The 23rd (Northumbrian) Division was an infantry division of the British
Army in the Second World War. Formed in 1939 from a cadre of the
Territorial Army's 50th (Northumbrian) Motor Division, it was sent to
France in April 1940 with scant training and preparation and inadequate
administration, logistics, and heavy weapons. When Germany invaded
Belgium, the British Expeditionary Force and French armies advanced,
leaving the 23rd Division behind to guard airfields. After the main
German attack came through the Ardennes, the division was ordered to the
front line to defend the Canal du Nord—the only river between the main
German assault and the English Channel. By the time the division
arrived, the Germans had already crossed south of their sector where
French forces had yet to take up positions. One of the division's
brigades was caught by armoured forces and overrun; the other conducted
rearguard actions during the retreat to Dunkirk. The remnants of the
division were evacuated on 31 May 1940, having suffered heavy losses.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/23rd_%28Northumbrian%29_Division>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1891:
Liliʻuokalani, the last monarch and only queen regnant of the
Hawaiian Kingdom, ascended the throne.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lili%CA%BBuokalani>
1944:
World War II: At least 38 civilians were killed and about a
dozen others injured when the Polish village of Koniuchy was attacked by
a Soviet partisan unit with a contingent of Jewish partisans.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koniuchy_massacre>
1991:
The first major ground engagement of the Gulf War began with
Iraq's invasion of the Saudi Arabian city of Khafji, which would be
recaptured two days later by Coalition forces.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Khafji>
2006:
India's Irfan Pathan became the only bowler to take a Test
cricket hat-trick in the opening over of a match.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irfan_Pathan>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
Rafflesian:
1. Of or relating to Sir Stamford Raffles, a British colonial statesman
known for his founding of modern Singapore and British Malaya.
2. (Singapore) Of or relating to an educational institution named after
Sir Stamford Raffles.
3. (Singapore) A current or former student of an educational institution
named after Sir Stamford Raffles.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Rafflesian>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
It is ridiculous that nations are to wait and government be
interrupted till boys grow to be men. Whether I have too little sense
to see, or too much to be imposed upon; whether I have too much or too
little pride, or of anything else, I leave out of the question; but
certain it is, that what is called monarchy, always appears to me a
silly, contemptible thing. I compare it to something kept behind a
curtain, about which there is a great deal of bustle and fuss, and a
wonderful air of seeming solemnity; but when, by any accident, the
curtain happens to be open — and the company see what it is, they
burst into laughter.
--Thomas Paine
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine>