One of the most ambitious flops of the malaise era was what one automotive historian called “ a spectacular miss of Hollywoodian proportions,” despite a marketing campaign that included none other than the "Sultan of Swoon."
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.