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Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II

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Summary

The National WWII Museum has opened a special exhibit, Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II, that tells the story of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, a top-secret unit that employed visual, sonic, and radio deception to fool German forces during World War II. The unit, which consisted of an authorized strength of 82 officers and 1,023 men, was made up of artists, engineers, professional soldiers, and draftees, and used imagination and illusion to trick the enemy. The exhibit features artifacts such as artwork, uniforms, an inflatable tank, and more, and a robust schedule of free public programming and educational initiatives will further explore the exhibit’s themes. After its run on the Museum campus, Ghost Army will be available for booking at institutions across the country.

Q&As

What is the purpose of the National WWII Museum's Ghost Army special exhibit?
The purpose of the National WWII Museum's Ghost Army special exhibit is to tell the story of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and their role in Allied victory through featured artifacts such as artwork, uniforms, an inflatable tank, and more.

Who composed the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops (the "Ghost Army")?
The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops (the "Ghost Army") was composed of an authorized strength of 82 officers and 1,023 men under the command of Army veteran Colonel Harry L. Reeder, and included artists, engineers, professional soldiers, and draftees, including famed artists such as fashion designer Bill Blass, painter Ellsworth Kelly, and photographer Art Kane.

What methods did the Ghost Army use to deceive German forces during World War II?
The Ghost Army used visual, sonic, and radio deception to fool German forces during World War II’s final year, such as inflatable tanks and vehicles, fake radio traffic, sound effects, and even phony generals.

What materials are included in the Ghost Army exhibit?
The materials included in the Ghost Army exhibit are historical narrative text panels detailing unit operations, profiles of unit officers, archival photography, sketches and uniforms from unit officers, and more.

What forms must be submitted to bring the Ghost Army exhibit to an institution?
The forms that must be submitted to bring the Ghost Army exhibit to an institution are the Traveling Exhibit Application, Facility Report, Final Report, and Host Application.

AI Comments

👍 The National WWII Museum's newest special exhibit, Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II, is a great way to learn about the unique and top-secret unit that used deception to fool German forces during World War II. The exhibit features interesting artifacts such as artwork, uniforms, and inflatable tanks, and comes with a robust schedule of public programming and educational initiatives, all free to the public.

👎 The National WWII Museum's special exhibit, Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II, requires a minimum of 4,000 square feet for installation and a secure exhibit space that is staffed during hours. This could be too much for smaller institutions or those with limited resources.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, also known as the "Ghost Army," which was a top-secret unit during World War II that used visual, sonic, and radio deception to fool German forces. This article talks about the unit's newly opened special exhibit at The National WWII Museum, which features artifacts such as artwork, uniforms, an inflatable tank, and more. It also details the unit's operations, profiles of unit officers, archival photography, and sketches and uniforms from unit officers.

Friend: Wow, that's really interesting! It's amazing that they were able to use deception to trick the enemy and save thousands of lives in the process. It's also great that the museum is showcasing this story so that more people can learn about it.

Me: Absolutely. It's a really powerful story and it's impressive that the unit was able to keep it a secret for so long. It's wonderful that the museum is honoring their legacy and making sure that their story is shared with the world. It's also great that the museum is offering public programming and educational initiatives to further explore the exhibit’s themes, as well as offering the exhibit to other institutions across the country.

Action items

Research the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and their role in World War II.
Attend a public program or educational initiative related to the Ghost Army exhibit.
Contact the National WWII Museum to inquire about booking the Ghost Army exhibit for your institution.

Technical terms

Activated: To put into action or operation.
Top-secret: Information that is not to be shared with the public.
Draftees: People who are conscripted into military service.
West Point graduates: People who have graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Army Specialized Training Program: A program in the US Army during World War II that provided college-level training to enlisted personnel.
Inflatable tanks: Tanks that are made of a lightweight material and can be inflated with air.
Faked radio traffic: Radio transmissions that are not real, but are used to deceive the enemy.
Sound effects: Audio recordings or sound effects that are used to create a certain atmosphere or mood.
Phony generals: People who pretend to be generals in order to deceive the enemy.
Installation Requirements: The requirements that must be met in order for an exhibit to be installed.
Certificate of Insurance: A document that provides proof of insurance coverage.
Exhibit Components: The various elements that make up an exhibit.
Program Offers: The programs and services that are offered in conjunction with an exhibit.
Travel Schedule: The dates and locations of an exhibit's tour.
Installation Logistics: The details of how an exhibit is to be installed.
Host Application: An application that must be filled out in order to host an exhibit.
Facility Report: A report that provides information about an institution's physical specifications and staff practices.
Final Report: A report that is filled out after an exhibit has closed at an institution.