- [Soldier] We've tapped into their radios.

We can confirm two divisions.

- [General] Confirmed. We have an aerial visual.

- [Soldier] Copy?

- [General] Yes, yes, we can hear them moving in.

- [Host] Only none of what the Germans

thought they could see or hear was real.

During World War II, a secret division of the US Army,

now known as the Ghost Army, conducted over 20

tactical operations, which resulted in

saving tens of thousands of lives.

The mission?

To trick the enemy into thinking that their unit

of 1,000 men was actually two divisions of 30,000 men.

But the Ghost Army wasn't made up of traditional soldiers.

The majority were actors, designers, advertisers,

and artists who had been recruited from the top

art and design schools around the country.

And this army of artists used their creativity

for an infantry of illusion.

Engineers developed inflatable tanks

which the artists would then paint.

These tanks could condense down to fit into a portable bag

and inflate on demand, much like a bouncy castle.

Audio engineers used large speakers to play sound effects

of tanks and marching soldiers,

which had been pre-recorded at Fort Knox.

This marching army could be heard from miles away.

Along with fake radio messages sent into the signals

of the enemies, they would also send actors

dressed as generals and officers into local towns

to spread false information and rumors.

It wasn't until 1996, when information about the Ghost Army

was declassified that the world finally knew

about these masters of misdirection,

the unsung heroes of World War II.