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The Ghost Army

was a unique and top-secret unit of the U.S. Army during World War II, officially known as the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops. Comprised of about 1,100 soldiers, including artists, actors, and sound engineers, this unit was tasked with deceiving German forces through elaborate ruses and fake operations.

The Ghost Army's primary mission was to create the illusion of large troop movements and concentrations where none existed. They used inflatable tanks, jeeps, and artillery, along with fake radio transmissions and sound effects recorded to simulate the noise of a large army on the move. Their goal was to mislead the enemy about the actual locations and intentions of Allied forces.

One of their most famous operations was Operation Fortitude, part of the broader D-Day deception strategy. The Ghost Army made it seem as if the Allied invasion would occur at Pas-de-Calais, rather than the actual location of Normandy. This helped to confuse German commanders and contributed to the success of the Normandy landings.

The unit operated in Europe from 1944 until the end of the war, conducting over 20 deception operations. The work of the Ghost Army remained classified until 1996, and their remarkable contribution to the war effort is now recognized as one of the most ingenious uses of deception in military history.