It is difficult to pin down a number, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association estimates that between one third and one half million people died in Atlantic hurricanes between 1492 and 1994. More than a thousand of those lives were lost on July 31st, 1715, in a tragedy more remembered for treasure than people.
By September of 1944, the Western Allies had broken out of the Normandy beachehead, and suddenly and quickly moved across northern France . By September 7th, the 90th division was stretched across the northern sector on Patton’s Third Army’s left, advancing slowly northeast. As they did so the German defenders made a risky attack in an effort to spoil the allied advance, cutting through Allied lines in a surprise action at the small town of Mairy-Mannville.