23rd Headquarters Special Troops

The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, also known as the "Ghost Army," was a U.S. Army unit during World War II that specialized in creative deception tactics. Comprising soldiers such as artists, sound engineers, and illusionists, they used inflatable tanks, sound effects, and radio deception to mislead the enemy about troop movements and battlefield locations. Their strategies helped protect actual forces, deceive German defenses, and contribute significantly to Allied successes without direct combat. Operating secretly, their efforts remained classified for decades, highlighting their innovative role in modern military deception.