In 1944, the Allied forces were preparing for the invasion of Europe. The war had been raging for years, and defeat was not an option. But how could the Allies, who were heavily outnumbered, bring down the powerful Nazi Germany military forces? The answer lay in an unusual weapon—the Ghost Army.
The Invisible Army
The Ghost Army was a top secret unit in the U.S. Army made up of artists, engineers, and soldiers who were specially trained to trick the enemy. They were experts in the art of camouflage and deception and used their skills to create dramatic illusions on the battlefield to baffle the enemy. Their mission was simple—to confuse and mislead the Axis forces and create a diversion that would give the Allies the advantage they needed.
The Ghost Army carried out more than 20 deception campaigns during the last year of the war.
The Ghost Army had many clever tricks up their sleeves. They used inflatable tanks and guns to create fake divisions. They recorded and broadcast the sounds of large armies on the move. They even went as far as creating counterfeit encampments, with soldiers moving back and forth to make them look like real camps.
“[An Army division] would sneak away, quietly. We would come in and fake their radio transmissions. We had huge half-tracks with tremendous speakers on them that you could hear for 15 miles. They were recorded things of actual troop movements—tanks, trucks, guys swearing, yelling ‘Get over here!’”—George Dramis, member of the Ghost Army
In total, the Ghost Army was made up of 1,023 men and 82 officers, though they made it look like there were up to 40,000 men in the unit.
Tricking the Enemy
One of the most successful deceptions of the Ghost Army took place in the summer of 1944. The Allies had just landed in Normandy, France, and were advancing toward Paris. The Ghost Army was tasked with creating a diversion to distract the German army from the main front. The Germans fell for the trap and sent their forces to attack the fake headquarters, allowing the real Allies to make progress without any problems.
The Ghost Army was only armed with guns, though they made themselves appear to be equipped with tanks and artillery.
But the Ghost Army was not without its dangers. The soldiers of the unit were often sent behind enemy lines, where they faced the risk of being captured or killed. One member of the army, Robert Thompkins, kept a diary during his missions. In August 1944, he wrote, “Could hear machine guns, rifles, mortars … saw four thunderbolts strafing with rockets. They roared over our heads and then dove into the thick of it. Havocs [bombers] came over and bombed. Couple of mortar shells came our way. Landed about 50 yards behind us.”
The Ghost Army men were said to have some of the highest IQs in the U.S. Army
The men had to be quick on their feet and able to improvise at a moment’s notice. Their success depended on their ability to adapt to new and difficult situations and use their skills to deceive the enemy.
Making it Happen
Creating such elaborate deceptions successfully was due, in large part, to the talent and creativity of the Ghost Army’s members. The unit was made up of artists and designers, including some well-known figures like fashion designer Bill Blass, painter Ellsworth Kelly, and photographer Art Kane. These individuals brought their unique skills to the table and used their artistic talents to create a convincing illusion of an entire army.
Despite the risk to their lives, the members of the Ghost Army continued to be an important weapon for the Allies. They were sent across Europe, from France to Germany, and played a vital part in the Allies’ victory. Their clever tricks and creative deceptions saved countless lives and helped turn the tide of the war.
It is estimated that the Ghost Army saved between 15,000 to 30,000 lives.
A Lasting Impression
In the end, the Ghost Army may have been one of the most innovative units of WWII, and their legacy lives on to this day. In 2022, President Joe Biden signed a bill to honor the soldiers who served in the Ghost Army. The Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act recognizes the bravery and creativity of the soldiers in the unit and their contributions to the war effort.
The Ghost Army showed the world that war can be won by a variety of methods and that sometimes a little creativity can go a long way.
Many members of the Ghost Army were sworn to secrecy, and no one publicly spoke about the work the invisible army did during the war.