http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/month/thismonth/17.htm
March 17th, 1940
UNITED KINGDOM:
Nottinghamshire miners vote to forgo part of their holidays to boost the war effort.
London: Long evening dresses are making a come-back, particularly in restaurants and clubs frequented by young soldiers on their way to France. In contrast to the utilitarian wear of the early war months, luxury fabrics such as chiffon, lace, tulle and taffeta are now favoured for a night out on the town. Far from their wives and girlfriends, the soldiers are happy to find places where partners are provided. The latest new dance, a great favourite among the soldiers and their dancing partners, is “The Blackout Stroll” during which the lights go out and everyone changes partners.
RAF Fighter Command: Collier and 3 trawlers attacked off Scottish coast. Enemy aircraft driven off.
GERMANY: Berlin: Dr. Fritz Todt, an engineer and master road builder, is appointed Minister for Weapons and Munitions, ushering in a new era in the efficient use of German industry and forced labor. Todt caught the attention of Adolf Hitler in 1932 as Todt spoke out about the importance of building new roads to jumpstart a moribund German economy. Once Hitler came to power, Hitler placed Todt in charge of a massive road-building project, the Autobahn. (Jack McKillop)
ATLANTIC OCEAN: MS Argentina left Copenhagen and radioed for the last time on 17 March. She was reported missing thereafter west of Scotland. At 2325 hours on 17 Mar 1940, U-38 torpedoed and sunk an unknown steamer of 5000 GRT west of Scotland. This must have been the Argentina. (Dave Shirlaw)
http://worldwar2daybyday.blogspot.com/
Day 199 March 17, 1940
British Admiralty admits the vulnerability of the Home Fleet in Scapa Flow to air attack, after yesterday’s air raid, and orders the fleet to sea during the next moonlight period on March 19 to 26. Predicting this move, German submarines U-57, U-19, U-21 and U-22 begin moving into position to attack British ships leaving Scapa Flow.
At 11.25 PM, U-38 sinks Danish MV Argentina (carrying general cargo from Copenhagen to South America, via Las palmas, Spain) with one torpedo east of Shetland Islands, Scotland, en route to South America. All 33 hands on board are lost.
http://www.uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/294.html