Ghost army

The Germans knew that at some stage the Allies would launch a cross channel invasion, but they were unsure of exactly where or when it would take place.

Operation Fortitude was a crucial Allied deception planned during World War II designed to mislead the Germans about the location and timing of the planned invasion of France by creating the impression of a major invasion elsewhere while the real invasion took place in Normandy.

The primary goal of Operation Fortitude was to divert German attention and resources away from the actual landing site in Normandy, allowing the Allies to to establish a beach head more easily. Operation Fortitude was a larger deception strategy called Operation Bodyguard. The operation was divided into two components. Fortitude North. This part aimed to create the impression of the Allied invasion of Norway, drawing the Germans away from the main invasion area in France, Fortitude south. This part focused on convincing the Germans that the main invasion would occur in the region northeast of Normandy.

The allies employed various methods to create the illusion of a massive invasion in particle, including a fake radio transmissions simulating communications from a large Allied force preparing for an invasion. Dummy equipment using inflatable tanks, aircraft, and other vehicles to give the impression of a larger Allied presence. Double agents to feed false information to the Germans. a fake ghost army creating a fictitious army led by General George Patton to further reinforce the impression of a major invasion in the party cali.

The RAF dropped metal strips along the French coast to confuse German radar on the night of the 5th and 6th of June. The RAF also dropped dummy parachuters to simulate an airborne invasion and draw German forces away from key objectives.

Operation Fortitude was highly successful in deceiving the Germans who remained convinced that the main invasion would occur in the Pas De Calais even after the Normandy landings began. This deception allowed the allies to establish a foothold in Normandy and ultimately contribute to the liberation of France and the defeat of Nazi Germany.