The Ghost Army of World War II

The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops was a force of only 1,000 men who, with skilled deceptions, often masqueraded as 34,000.

Discover the secrets of the small army of actors, sound technicians, and artists who duped the Germans successfully in twenty-one separate operations during World War II, often within a few hundred yards of the front lines.

The German Army referred to the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops as the "Phantom Army" because one day it was in one place, and the next, in another. Though most American, British, and Free French troops never knew of the existence of this highly trained army, all were affected by it.

Though it sounds more like a movie plot than the real thing, the Ghost Army was real, and was a significant force in the Allied victory. The Ghost Army specialized in illusion: these 1,000 men were practiced in all the arts required to give the strong impression that they were as many as 30,000--and heavily armed. Until recently, all information about these operations has remained secret, while the brave soldiers who saved many lives during the war were denied the medals--even the Purple Heart--which they had earned for the sake of preserving this great military secret.

In 1996, information about this grand illusion was declassified, and author Jack Kneece set out to interview surviving members of this special group of soldiers. The Ghost Army of World War II tells the history of this force and contains never-heard firsthand accounts of its exploits.