Deception Tactics of World War II: Cunning, Camouflage, and the Art of Misdirection

The Second World War was not won by military might alone. Critical advantage was gained through deception—the projection of power in areas of weakness, camouflage of soldiers and vehicles, manipulation of the enemy’s intelligence agencies, and the canny transmission of false intentions. Deception Tactics of World War II presents the most notable successes, as well as the most daring, sometimes outrageous plans. The book also introduces the cast of personalities behind these efforts. You’ll encounter enigmatic double agents such as Garbo, who established a fictitious network of spies in Britain and then fed Germany a stream of false information. You’ll also meet their occasionally eccentric commanders. The deceptions featured include: • In Europe, the Fortitude deception that preceded the Allied invasion of Normandy • In the USA, the remarkable efforts to disguise an entire wartime industry in California • In the Pacific, the flawless Japanese plan to conceal an entire fleet on its way to Pearl Harbor • In North Africa, the British-led efforts to create a fighting force where none in fact existed