Mass produced vegetable rissoles are to be sold at 8d a pound.

London: Exiled German socialist groups join together to form the Union of German Socialists, pledged to work for a "democratic and socialist future for Germany."

London: A massive German raid by 479 bombers leaves 750 people dead after they drop 122,292 incendiaries.

London: The 'BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC' Committee of all Ministers and heads of the armed services has its first meeting.

London: Churchill's fears of the havoc which German raiders could cause on the North Atlantic sea lanes causes him to ask Roosevelt for assistance in tracking German ships. Although Churchill refrains from asking the President to escort American supply convoys to Britain, he does say:

"It would be a very great help if some American warships and aircraft could cruise about this area [central North Atlantic] as they have a perfect right to do without any prejudice to neutrality.

VICHY FRANCE: The government in the form of Admiral Darlan announces that "vowing that Frenchman shall eat. Serves notice that its naval ships would convoy merchantmen if the British persist in their blockade of France.

If the British continue this blockade, ... I will be obliged to ask permission to provide arms and protection for our merchantmen. I will let nothing stand in the way of the French People's eating. The Germans are more generous and more comprehensive of the needs of humanity than the English."

GERMANY: A German ultimatum gives Yugoslavia 5 days to accept the German terms.

Rommel flies to Hitler's HQ to report and obtain fresh instructions. Field-Marshal von Brauchitsch told him that there was no intention of striking a decisive blow in Africa in the near future, and he could expect no reinforcements. After the arrival of the 15th Panzer Division at the end of May, he was to attack and destroy the British units around Agedabia. Benghazi "might perhaps be taken."

The Wehrmacht High Command announced:

On March 16, German reconnaissance aircraft attacked a powerful formation of enemy war vessels consisting of 2 heavy units, 6 cruisers and 2 or 3 destroyers, in the Mediterranean 23 miles west of Crete. each of the 2 heavy units was struck by one air-launched torpedo.

The entire coal-mining industry and the coal trade in Germany have been amalgamated into a giant cartel known as the Reich Coal Union. it is hoped that, with centralised control, this vital industry will be able to increase its production beyond the 246 million tons achieved this year. A significant boost is necessary if the increase in arms production demanded by the government is to be possible and the German people are to be able to buy fuel.

GREECE: The British Military Mission to Greece reports that Greek morale is high and fortifications are well prepared although there is a severe shortage of reserves with the oldest class of reservists about to by called up.

AUSTRALIA: Minesweeper HMAS Deloraine laid down.

CANADA: Ottawa: in an agreement signed by Adolf Berle, the assistant US secretary of state, and William Mackenzie King, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Great Lakes will soon become the biggest shipbuilding area in the world - the ships to be built on the Canadian side, with power and finance from the US side.

"The extent to which intensified submarine and air attacks on convoys necessitate an expansion in the programme is still unknown," said President Roosevelt, but he estimated that the number of ships needed would be "several times" those now available.

U.S.A.: Washington: Roosevelt responds to Churchill's protest about leaks in the blockade of Germany. He is deliberately vague in an attempt to walk a tightrope between British problems and America's conciliatory policy toward Vichy.

Jimmy Dorsey And His Orchestra record one of their biggest musical successes, “Green Eyes” featuring vocalists Helen O’Connell and Bob Eberly. The record became one of Decca Records’ all-time greats. This record was on the Pop Charts for 21 weeks and was Number 1 for four weeks.  

ATLANTIC OCEAN: HMS MALAYA sustains serious damage from a torpedo from U-106 while escorting a convoy. She goes to New York City for repairs, the first major British warship to receive such help.

U-105 sank SS Mandalika in Convoy SL-68.