Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II
Organized by The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, this exhibition tells the story of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops — the first mobile, multimedia, tactical deception unit in US Army history. The unit waged war with inflatable tanks and vehicles, fake radio traffic, sound effects and even phony generals, using imagination and illusion to trick the enemy while saving thousands of lives. Along with the 3133rd Signal Service Company in Italy, the unit helped liberate Europe from the grip of Nazi tyranny. Fort Wayne’s hometown hero, Bill Blass, will be featured in the exhibition as an official member of the 603rd Camouflage Battalion.
The unique and top-secret “Ghost Army” unit — comprised of 82 officers and 1,023 men — was the brainchild of Colonel Billy Harris and Major Ralph Ingersoll. Activated on January 20, 1944, under the command of Army veteran Colonel Harry L. Reeder, the group was capable of simulating two whole divisions (approximately 30,000 troops) by using visual, sonic and radio deception to fool German forces during the final year of World War II. Armed with nothing heavier than .50-caliber machine guns, the 23rd took part in 22 large-scale deceptions in Europe from Normandy to the Rhine River, the bulk of the unit arriving in England in May 1944, shortly before D-Day.
This exhibition is exclusively sponsored by the E.L. Wiegand Foundation. Local support is provided by Bill Blass Legacy. Inc. and Phillips Financial. The exhibition was curated at FWMoA by Technical Director Brian Williamson and is organized by The National WWII Museum.
