Operation Fortitude

Operation Fortitude was a code name for the deception operations used by the allied forces. The overall codename for this operation is "Bodyguard." It had a connection with the Normandy landing which was also called "Operation Overlord." This operation was divided into Fortitude North and Fortitude South. By doing this the Germans thought the main attack in France would happen in Pas de Calais rather than Normandy. Germany then was mislead of the location the major battle would be in. Operation was one of the most successful deceptions in the war and possibly the most important.

The Allies had a lot of tricks up their sleeve to make it seem like they were following through the original plans they told them. They would have false radio traffic that they knew would be intercepted by the Germans making them think the First US Army Group was active. Another trick they would do is take their tanks and trucks for a ride down the road to make tracks in the field,making them think that they have moved and that the army was on foot.

Fortitude North was made to mislead the Germans to Norway and make them think the major invasion would be held there. Fortitude South had a similar job to the North but its job was to create a deception in Pas de Calais making them think the invasion was there. By doing this the Germans had their troops stationed at a place where an invasion never happened, giving the Allied a head start. Operation Fortitude was such a great success that people started considering using it in their own invasions. Hitler noticed how well the operation went and said he will start implementing these tactics into his attacks.

Operation Fortitude had great success because they made people believe they would attack in a certain area, causing them to defend that place heavily. Since they brought all of their troops to that one area they had a lot of open spaces around it. They had so much focus on one area that the Allied simply went a different way where there was no support. By the time the Germans realized their counter attack they had already taken control of a big portion of the continent, making it hard for the Germans to fight them off.