Haunting Germans with the "Ghost Army"

Cleveland Plain Dealer ^ | 10/25/2009 | Brian Albrecht

[Saije]

A lot of colorful phrases are associated with World War II.

Like, "Nuts!" -- one American commander's defiant response to German surrender demands.

Or, "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition," attributed to a U.S. Navy chaplain during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

But here's another one, appropriate for this season.

Trick or treat!

The trick was setting up phony, inflatable tanks, trucks and artillery under cover of darkness. Then generating some ersatz radio traffic between units and commanders. Igniting flash canisters mimicking the glare of cannons firing. Erecting loudspeakers and playing the pre-recorded sounds of troops and vehicles moving into position.

Ideally, the enemy would think they were facing an entire division.

And the treat? While they're focusing on the fake stuff, the real attack hits them someplace else.

All's fair in war, and Halloween, courtesy of a secret U.S. Army unit designated as the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, but commonly known as the "Ghost Army." (Its shoulder insignia, never allowed to be worn, featured a ghost and the slogans, in Latin, "Let's simulate those that do not exist," and "Those that exist should really be disguised.")

More than 1,000 soldiers served in the unit, code-named "Blarney," that was dedicated to fooling the German army on battlefields across Europe.

Their number included experts in sound and communications, makeup and camouflage, theatrical set design, engineering, intelligence and military tactics. Among their ranks were fashion designer Bill Blass, photographer Art Kane, painter Ellsworth Kelly.

[Saije]

Maybe Obama/Biden are thinking we could do this in Afghanistan.

[Berlin_Freeper]

In WWII, the fake plan was part of the real plan.

Now with Obama, the real plan is part of the fake plan.

[trimom]

It was also in a time when the press understood the need for a high level of discretion in what was published. That level of honor is gone.

[SunkenCiv]

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	Gods Graves Glyphs	Just adding to the catalog, not sending a general distribution. More than 1,000 soldiers served in the unit, code-named "Blarney," that was dedicated to fooling the German army on battlefields across Europe... Among their ranks were fashion designer Bill Blass, photographer Art Kane, painter Ellsworth Kelly. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother, and Ernest_at_the_Beach
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