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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ 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

___________________________ 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