The 70th Infantry Division of the British Army fought during the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. On 10 October 1941 the 6th Infantry Division was re-created as the 70th in an attempt to deceive Axis intelligence concerning the strength of the British military in the Middle East. At the Siege of Tobruk, the division relieved the mainly Australian garrison, which had been defending the port for almost seven months. Under daily aerial and artillery attacks, the division defended the port and conducted nightly offensive patrols against German and Italian positions. Two men from attached units were awarded the Victoria Cross for their actions there during Operation Crusader. The division was withdrawn to Egypt for refitting at the end of 1941, then placed in reserve. It was transferred to India when Japan entered the war, where it was considered the most experienced and best-trained British formation available in Asia, until its disbandment in November 1943.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/70th_Infantry_Division_%28United_Kingdom%29

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1846:

English astronomer William Lassell discovered Triton, the largest moon of the planet Neptune. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triton_%28moon%29

1911:

The Xinhai Revolution began with the Wuchang Uprising, marking the beginning of the collapse of the Qing dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuchang_Uprising

1943:

World War II: The Kenpeitai, the military police arm of the Imperial Japanese Army, arrested and tortured 57 civilians and civilian internees on suspicion of their involvement in a raid on Singapore Harbour during Operation Jaywick. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Tenth_incident

1963:

The Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which prohibits all test detonations of nuclear weapons except for those conducted underground, came into effect. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partial_Nuclear_Test_Ban_Treaty

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

ferrule: 1. A band or cap (usually metal) placed around a shaft to reinforce it or to prevent splitting. 2. (specifically, climbing) The metal spike at the end of the shaft of an ice axe. 3. A band holding parts of an object together. 4. A bushing for securing a pipe joint. 5. A metal sleeve placed inside a gutter at the top. 6. (billiards) The plastic band attaching the tip to the cue. 7. (painting) The pinched metal band which holds the bristles of a paintbrush to the shaft. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ferrule

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The good die young — but not always. The wicked prevail — but not consistently. I am confused by life, and I feel safe within the confines of the theatre. O'Neil's dramas are slapstick farces, Albee's riddles are simple explanations, Pinter's threatening and threatened anti-heroes are innocent babes — next to life and the living. I cry out for order and find it only in art.   --Helen Hayes https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Helen_Hayes