On this date in World War II:
1940 - Hitler orders total blockade of Great-Britain
1941 - German raider attacks Dutch SS Kota Nopan
1942 - 1st US/8th Air Force bombs Europe
1942 - Task Force 17 leaves Pearl Harbor under adm George Murray on Hornet
1942 - Transport nr 20 departs with French Jews to nazi-Germany
1942 - US bombers staged 1st independent raid on Europe attack Rouen, France
1943 - Gen Patton enters Messina, completing conquest of Sicily by Allies
1943 - US 8th Air Force loses 60 B-17O at attack on Regensburg/Schweinfurt
1944 - US 12 Army corp occupies Orleans
From
Today In World War Two History August 17