United States Army deception formations of World War II
non-existent US Army units used in deception operations
The United States Army created a large number of notional deception formations that were used in a number of World War II deception operations. The most notable fictional US formation was the First United States Army Group (FUSAG); this force was originally intended as the main invasion force for the Invasion of Normandy. However, the British 21st Army Group took up this role. FUSAG remained in existence on paper and was used during Operation Fortitude South to divert Axis attention to the Pas de Calais area.
The imaginary formations ranged in size from battalion to field army and were faked using documents, photographs, double agents, news reportage and physical subterfuge. Some of the units were either based on previously active formations (usually World War I formations) or created afresh. Many were used multiple times. British deception specialist Dudley Clarke, in particular, believed that reusing units in the long term would help establish their existence in the mind of the enemy.
Field armies and army groups
Corps
Divisions
References
Bibliography
Harris, Tomás (2000). Garbo: The Spy Who Saved D-Day.
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