Their tactics, including sound effects and fake radio traffic, misled the German troops.
World War II soldiers who used inflatable tanks and Hollywood-style special effects to deceive the Nazis have been honored with a Congressional Gold Medal, the US Congress's highest award, according to reports The subway.
For Seymour Nussenbaum, 100; John Christ, 99; and Bernard Bluestein, 100, who rarely spoke about their courageous actions, it was a special moment of pride.
In 1944 and 1945, they were part of secret American units that saved tens of thousands of lives with their clever tactics, known as a “traveling road show.” They used actors and various tricks throughout Europe to deceive the Nazi German army and send troops to the wrong locations, the news channel said.
According to The BBC, the secret Ghost Army successfully deceived German forces into believing that a huge Allied force was about to attack across the Rhine. This phantom army, consisting of just over 1,100 men, strategically deployed hundreds of inflatable tanks and trucks to create the illusion of a real division (approximately 40,000 troops).
To further the deception, they used loudspeakers to broadcast sounds of troop movements and meticulously simulate military radio traffic. In addition, some members of the Ghost Army wore officer uniforms and made their presence felt at locations known to be watched by German spies. This elaborate ruse resulted in minimal resistance at the actual Rhine crossing, which significantly aided the Allied advance.
Mr. Nussenbaum says he rarely talks about his experiences during the war BBC: “I don't like to beat my own drum.”
Mr. Bluestein says he always tells his family that he did “camouflage work” during the war.
'I didn't tell you the dangerous part. They wouldn't have liked that,” he said, chuckling.
