On August 23rd 1940, the British destroyer, Hostile, strikes a mine off Cape Bon in the Strait of Sicily while on passage from Malta to Gibraltar and is later scuttled.
Also on this day, King George VI orders all Germans and Italians to be stripped of their British titles and decorations. This directly affects Benito Mussolini, who was made a member of the Order of the Garter in 1923.
The Battle of Britain rages on, but this day turns out to be fairly quiet, with the afternoon empty of enemy aircraft due to inclement weather. The night before, a formation of Ju88s crossed the Channel and dropped more than sixteen tonnes of high explosives on the aircraft works at Filton. Production there severely disrupted. The day is spent repairing airfields and telecommunications.
Musical drama, Young People premieres at the Roxy Theatre, New York, starring Shirley Temple. This happens to be her final movie with 20th Century Fox, and is rumoured to be her last ever.
SUZY HENDERSON 
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