Ghosts of the ETO: American Deception Units in the European Theater, 1944–1945

"Highly recommended reading as being a simply fascinating history of a hidden aspect of World War II that would have a profound and lasting influence on strategy and tactics."―Midwest Book Review

No history of the war in Europe has ever taken into account the actions of the men of the US 23rd Special Troops. These men took part in over 22 deception operations against the German Army. Some of these operations had tremendous impact upon how the battles in Europe were fought. The men who participated in these actions were sworn to secrecy for 50 years, and are only now willing to talk about their role.

The 23rd was composed of four main units. A signal deception unit to broadcast fake radio signals, an engineer camoue unit to set up rubber dummies of tanks and trucks, a combat engineer unit to construct emplacements and provide local security, and a sonic deception company. The sonic unit was developed to fool German listening posts by playing audio s of various sounds, such as tanks moving up or bridges being built.

The 23rd was the only deception unit of the American Army in World War ll combining all aspects of deception. This book also covers the birthplace of sonic deception: the Army Experimental Station at Pine Camp; and their smaller sister unit, the 3133rd Sonic Deception company that saw action for 14 days in Italy.

Jonathan Gawne is a leading historian and is the author of the best selling Spearheading D Day and The US Army Photo Album (both published by Histoire & Collections and available from Casemate) as well as books in the Greenhill Books “GI Series”. He has contributed articles to numerous magazines. He lives in Framingham, MA.

REVIEWS

"... provides the reader with an informed and informative look at the 23rd Special Troops, who fought the German army at the end of World War II using deception as an effective tactic. Telling the compelling story of courageous and cunning soldiers through declassified memos and the testimony of survivors, Ghosts Of The Eto is highly recommended reading as being a simply fascinating history of a hidden aspect of World War II that would have a profound and lasting influence on strategy and tactics."
Midwest Book Review


Jonathan Gawne's engrossing book outlines US Army Psychological Warfare tactics employed to befuddle Germans in World War II.

Armorama

"…a welcome addition to the history of the US Army's combat experience in Europe in World War II and deception warfare in particular."

Journal of America's Past



The ghosts of the European theater in World War II were members of the 23d Headquarters Special Troops who worked to deceive the Germans on the battlefield. Numbering about 75 officers and 950 enlisted men, mainly Engineer and Signal Corps soldiers, attached to the 12th Army Group, the 23d, starting early in July 1944, carried out twenty-two operations during the course of the campaigns. Each assignment receives a chapter in Jonathan Gawne's account...Jonathan Gawne, so far as I know, is the first to describe in detail the work of this deception unit. He also narrates its origin, training, and postwar history.
Martin Blumenson, Journal of History


An excellent, balanced history of the 23rd Special Troops. Gawne tells the story like it was -- warts and all. I say this because I was there as commander of the 406th Engineer Combat Company...there is reason to believe that GHOSTS OF THE ETO may be one of the most important books to come out of World War II. It should be read by all officers from the highest to lowest rank and by all noncommissioned officers.

Engineer Magazine





“This book offers a previously untold aspect of war in the European Theatre, that of the actions of the me of the US 23rd Special Troops, who took part in over 22 deception operations against the Germans, some of which had a tremendous impact on how battles in Europe were fought at that time...“The 192-page book features numerous black and white photos, s and illustrations that lifts the lid on this fascinating aspect of the Second World War”
Machines International: World War 1 Vehicle Special