In September 1944, the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, also known as the Ghost Army, successfully defended against an armored enemy unit during General Patton’s assault on the French town of Metz. Despite lacking heavy weaponry, such as tanks, the 23rd held out long enough to prevent the enemy from attacking Patton in the rear. Their secret to success? Deception.
The Ghost Army specialized in impersonating larger units through visual, sonic, and radio deceptions. They even went as far as imitating the division insignia on uniforms and equipment. Inflatable tanks, rubber dummies, and creative tactics were their primary tools of deception.
During critical moments of battle, the Ghost Army could create the illusion of an armored division appearing just where it was needed to deter the enemy’s advance. They could effectively mislead the enemy by making them believe an Allied attack was originating from one location while it was actually being prepared elsewhere.
Impressed by the Ghost Army’s success, a unit solely dedicated to tactical illusion and showmanship was formed under Ingersoll’s leadership. Their goal was to manipulate the enemy’s decisions through deceptive tactics. However, it is worth noting that Ingersoll had a reputation for exaggeration, and another influential figure in the creation of the Ghost Army was Colonel Billy Harris, a more grounded and practical military man.
The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops conducted 20 illusionary missions in France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany, while a sister unit, the 3133rd Signal Company Special, carried out two operations in Italy.
The tactics employed by the Ghost Army had a significant impact on the course of the war, benefiting American and Allied troops and contributing to the liberation of Europe from the clutches of evil. While technology has advanced since 1944, modern military operations still draw from the Ghost Army’s legacy and continue to utilize techniques of deception.
In today’s warfare, psychological manipulation and deception remain fundamental components. Fifth-generation warfare involves tactics deployed through social engineering, cyberattacks, psychological operations, and the spread of misinformation. The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops laid the groundwork for these techniques, and it is possible that the Ghost Army’s influence lives on in new, more covert forms of deception.