In 1925 the United States decided to send a significant naval fleet on a visit to Australia and New Zealand. The press emphasized goodwill, and events like sports contests between US sailors and local residents. But the voyage had much deeper, and more complex, diplomatic goals.
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.