The Ghost Army: America's Fighting Artists Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The development of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops (referred to hereafter as the Ghost Army) was in large part due to the success of what similar British unit?

Answer: the 'A' Force

The "A Force", initiated by British General Wavell, specialized in subterfuge and counter-intelligence. A smaller wing was led by Jasper Maskelyne, an English stage magician, that was known as the "Magic Gang." They are best known for their re-creation of the nightlights of Alexandria on the surface of a bay three miles offshore, and hiding the Suez Canal using mirrors and lights. Like the 'A' Force, the Ghost Army used deception to trick the Germans.

2. During World War II Winston Churchill said: "In time of war, when truth is so precious, it must be attended by a bodyguard of lies." This "bodyguard of lies" included a fictitious invasion operation that was led by a famous American general and assisted by members of the Ghost Army. What was it called?

Answer: Operation Quicksilver

Quicksilver was a part of Operation Fortitude, designed to fool the Germans into believing that the Allied invasion force would land at Pas de Calais. General Patton was assigned to oversee the fake unit dubbed FUSAG (First United States Army Group). Several deception methods were used to throw the Nazis off, including: fake radio transmissions, plywood tanks, trucks, and planes, and systematic disinformation supplied by double agents. Artists within the Ghost Army helped design the decoy vehicles.

3. After D-Day, when the beach heads were secured and supply routes established, the Ghost Army was deployed to France. Soon after arriving, they put their skills to work. For which of these were they responsible?

Answer: Constructing a fake Mulberry harbor

The Ghost Army constructed a deceptive Mulberry harbor (a type of floating harbor developed by British engineers). The operation, inspired by the fake Alexandria built by the British Magic Gang, used simulated city nightlights. The operation was successful, evident when German planes strafed and bombed the area.

4. The Ghost Army had four companies. The first three adopted into this unique unit were the 244th Signal Company, the 406th Engineer Combat Company and the 3132nd Signal Service Company. A fourth company, which for two years had been experimenting with deceptive appearances, was attached to assist the effort. What was it called?

Answer: 603rd Engineer Camouflage Battalion

The 603rd consisted of artistic and creative types, all with above average IQs. Many were recruited right out of art schools. They created the methods of faking bridges, tanks, uniforms, and all other visual deceptions. After the war, many went on to become very well known artists in America.

The 244th Signal Company consisted of radio operators, message/teletype/wire specialists. This company was trained for desert operations but was re-oriented to supply counter-radio intelligence.

The 406th Engineer Combat Company (previously the 293rd but renumbered after reorientation) contained disciplined combat soldiers. These experienced men secured perimeters, allowing the Ghost Army's operations the secrecy they needed, and provided construction labor.

The 3132nd Signal Service Company was trained separately and exclusively in methods of deception. They developed and supplied the sounds of warfare and troop/armor movement, or construction when needed.

5. The Ghost Army's 3132nd Signal Service Company provided "sonic deception" (sounds and recordings designed to deceive the enemy). The 3132nd, aided by audio engineers, possessed audio tracks of every weapon and type of armor available in Europe. How did they make sonic deception a mobile tool of warfare?

Answer: Massive, camouflaged speakers attached to trucks

The Signal Service Company attached giant speakers to light trucks; dubbed "sonic cars" by members of the Ghost Army. The 603rd Camouflage Engineer Battalion hid the speakers and trucks, making them nearly invisible in foliage because the trucks were unarmored.

They would drive the sonic cars to certain locations, broadcasting the desired type of armor or weapon. This is what made the Ghost Army truly ghosts. They would appear out of nowhere, be in one place then the next minutes later, all to re-direct enemy gunfire. One American officer, Captain Paden, after witnessing this operation, remarked: "... any interested observer within a two-and-a-half mile radius would have been convinced that a large number of armored vehicles were being assembled ..."

6. It is reported that the Ghost Army's inflatable arsenal was so realistic that an American pilot tried to land on a fake runway in France. But during Operation Elephant, their first combat operation, a small advancement of the Ghost Army was deployed to the Forest of Cerisy to pretend to be the 2nd Armored Division, keeping German recon and fire focused, thus allowing the 2nd to move out unnoticed. What potential major security breach did they encounter?

Answer: Four inflatable Sherman tanks went missing

The Ghost Army arrived while the 2nd Armored Division was preparing to leave. Due to time constraints, they left their equipment there, uninflated, and moved to the next location while the 2nd moved out. When they returned, four rubber Shermans had gone missing! This was a major problem. If the Germans had obtained them, the Nazi generals would know the Allies, at least the Americans, were using such devices. Furthermore, they could teach soldiers how to tell the difference between real and fake tanks.

It was soon discovered that three of the rubber tanks had been accidentally packed up by men of the 2nd. But one tank was not found and as far as is known, it was never located, though there was never evidence that the Germans acquired it. The tank was likely stolen by a French farmer, or hid by men of the 2nd (it would have made a terrific prop for practical jokes).

The matter was turned over to the Counter-Intelligence Corps without success.

7. In "The Art of War" Sun Tzu writes: "All warfare is based on deception." The Ghost Army took this to an entirely new level. "Atmosphere" was a general term they used to describe deceptive methods that gave an area of operation the right feel. This included painting symbols on armor and vehicles, patches or insignia, and driving in circles in empty convoy trucks that appeared full of troops. Though the European Theater was perhaps not the stage they dreamed of, actors in the unit would add atmosphere by playing what role?

Answer: Acting drunk in bars, loudly discussing details

They would drop false hints and details of Allied troop movements, knowing that bars were full of German-paid ears. Actors would also pose as well-known American generals, in addition to MPs and officers, and stroll around towns to be seen by German spies. Atmosphere also included in recreating the unique characteristics of individual units the Ghost Army was posing as. Atmosphere was the glue of the Ghost Army's operations, solidifying the deception.

8. During Operation Brest, all four companies of the Ghost Army was used to employ all four types of deception: Visual, Sonic, Radio and Atmosphere. Overall, the operation was a great success, resulting in minimal casualties to the genuine forces liberating the French port town of Brest. How did the Ghost Army draw counter-fire away from genuine American gun batteries?

Answer: flash canisters simulating howitzer/gun batteries

This was done so effectively that the 37th Field Artillery Battalion received no counter-fire whatsoever. This led Colonel Searcy to remark: "The work of these units is complete, thorough, and correct to the smallest detail, and it is believed that units of this type are of considerable value and usefulness to the Army." The work was dangerous, however, as the flashes would draw immediate German gunfire. Very quickly the men learned not to be anywhere near the canisters when they lit up.

9. The success of most military units can be determined by enemies killed or captured, forces defeated or regions liberated, measured against casualties suffered. But because the work of the Ghost Army was not designed to advance, defeat, or occupy, tangible results are hard to clarify. But one definite proof was the name given to them by German POWs. What was it?

Answer: Phantom Army

The Germans POWs would speak in awe of an elusive fighting force, seemingly one place, then minutes later, elsewhere, then suddenly massive and everywhere! In one report, around 400 men of the Ghost Army fooled the Germans into thinking they were a force numbering around 30,000 men! This is testament to the incredible expertise that was harnessed by these artist-soldiers who wielded weapons not of bullets but skill, and saved life rather than took it.

10. A major victory for the Allies, especially America, was the crossing of the Rhine. After advancing into Germany, everyone knew then that Hitler would surely fall. Vital to this was the Ghost Army's final task: Operation Viersen, a spectacular performance in which they used all their unique talents to assist the 9th U.S. Army's crossing. The Ghost Army's job was to trick the Germans into thinking that a crossing would be attempted in April. In what month did the crossing actually take place?

Answer: March

Near the town of Viersen, the 9th U.S. Army was help up, under the command of British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery (a previously agreed upon compromise allowed a British general to cross first, though it would be in command of an American force). After the troops of the Ghost Army arrived, the 9th split up under cover of night, one group went north, the rest remained.

The Ghost Army's special effects bolstered the remaining forces to give the appearance of a large buildup, preparing to cross.

They built fake medical installations, facilities and bridge equipment. Radios broadcast heavy traffic reports and hints at an April crossing, and a huge arsenal of inflatables were employed. Sounds of construction and armor added to the ploy. The Germans were completely surprised, and nearly defenseless, in March when the 9th Army's forces crossed successfully further north. On another note, Montgomery's success was soured later when he learned he was beaten to the punch by his rival, American General George Patton.

The night before Montgomery's advance, Patton's men boated across, becoming the first to do so since Napoleon (disobeying direct orders in the process).

Source: Author Lorvanwa

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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During WW2, artists were recruited into a unique unit called the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops. They saved thousands by creating fake armies, and soon the fighting artists became known as the Ghost Army.

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