June 23rd, 1943 (WEDNESDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM: London: Winston Churchill has ordered a military mission, led by a senior British officer to join Tito in his campaign against the Germans in Yugoslavia. After years of being unable to decide whether to back Tito's partisans or the rival Chetnik army led by General Mihailovich, the British now believe that the former have emerged as the only effective force against the Axis in Yugoslavia.
But although the Chetniks are co-operating with the Italians against Tito's partisans, the British will continue to drop supplies to them, largely because of pressure from the Yugoslav government in exile.
Frigates HMS Curzon and Dakins laid down.
Minesweeper HMS Rattlesnake commissioned.
Corvette HMCS St Thomas (ex HMS Sandgate Castle) laid down South Bank-on-Tees.
GERMANY: Obersalzberg: Hitler tells an acquaintance who has questioned the deportation of Jews in occupied Europe: "Germany has lost half a million .... on the battlefield. Am I to preserve and minister to these others? .... You must learn how to hate."
U-1223 is launched.
NEW GUINEA: The Second Battle of Labadia Ridge ends. (Michael Alexander)AUSTRALIA: A censure motion on the government of Prime Minister Curtin is defeated by one vote. The PM announces that he will advise the Governor-General to dissolve Parliament.
PACIFIC OCEAN: US troops land in the Trobriand Islands, southeast of New Guinea, without meeting any opposition.
U.S.A.: The motion picture "Dixie" is released in the U.S. This musical biography of pioneer minstrel Dan Emmet, is directed by Edward Sutherland and stars Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour, Marjorie Reynolds and Eddie Foy, Jr. Two of the songs in the film are "Dixie," written by Emmet, and "Sunday, Monday or Always."
Destroyer escort FS Tunesien (ex-USS Crosley) laid down.
Heavy cruiser USS Quincy launched.
Frigate USS Stoddert launched.
Destroyer USS Capps commissioned.
ATLANTIC OCEAN: Submarine HMS Unshaken sinks the Italian merchant Pomo (former Jug. Nico Matkovic, 1425 BRT).