During World War 2 the United States created a secret unit, officially the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, but known as the Ghost Army. This unit had a unique task in which they used various techniques of deception to trick the German Forces into believing they were facing a much larger force. In this episode, we look at the ingenious methods employed by the Ghost Army and their impact on turning the tide during World War 2. However, despite their effectiveness, the Ghost Army and its legacy would remain secret for years even after World War 2 had ended.
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At the height of World War 2, the US Army are working on a top secret project, one they
believe can help turn the tide of the war.
This unit's mission and tactics would remain classified for decades even after war's end.
It would be known as the Ghost Army.
Created in early 1944 with the impending invasion of Europe in mind, a special unit was formed,
officially called the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and nicknamed the Ghost Army.
It would become the first mobile multimedia tactical deception unit in the US Army.
This unique and top secret unit used visual, sonic and radio deception to fool German forces
during World War 2.
They were capable of simulating two divisions, roughly 30,000 men, but only comprised of
1,100 men themselves.
The Ghost Army's goal was to deceive the Germans into believing there was a large allied
force in one area, when the actual allied force would be in another.
The visual deception would involve the use of inflatable tanks, trucks, planes and artillery
pieces which were easily manoeuvred to positions which could be observed by the enemy from
afar or via aerial reconnaissance.
Fake tyre or tank tracks were even used to show movement of these vehicles.
Numerous tents and barracks were erected, even with minor details such as cooking equipment
and laundry being set up.
The sonic deception involved the use of pre-recorded sounds of large groups of soldiers or tanks
and trucks moving around.
They would be played through huge amplified speakers affixed to the back of half-trucks,
the sounds of which could be heard from over 20km away.
Radio deception used radio traffic and Morse code to send out signals and reports of troop
movements to areas they wanted the Germans to believe there was a large allied force
or where a force had previously been.
The final part of the deception was to simulate actual units.
Men of the Ghost Army would don uniforms of other units with the correct insignia and
visit the local towns, restaurants and bars.
They were encouraged to talk about the pretend unit's movements in the area, loud enough
so that any spies could eavesdrop.
They would also drive trucks around on loops to make it appear as though there was a large
force in the area.
Throughout the war, they were involved in numerous operations and had success on most
occasions.
Their use of deception arguably saved thousands of allied lives.
Following the war, the members of the unit were sworn to secrecy.
The documents relating to the unit were only declassified in the mid-1990s, allowing those
surviving members to talk about their experiences.
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