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Hoodwinking Hitler: The Normandy Deception
Despite the mighty invasion force the Americans and British mustered in England in early 1944, a top Allied general warned: If the Germans have even a 48-hour advance notice of the time and place of the Normandy landings, we could suffer a monstrous catastrophe! For his part, Adolf Hitler planned to inflict such a massive bloodbath on the invaders that the Allies would agree to a negotiated peace with Nazi Germany.
Hoodwinking Hitler is an action-packed, you-are-there account about a colossal and incredibly intricate deception scheme created and implemented by ingenious and diabolical minds, machinations intended to bamboozle the Germans on true Allied invasion plans. Facets of the global chicanery included electronic spoofing, double agents, diplomatic deceit, whispering campaigns, femmes fatales, camouflage, strategic feints, the French underground, murder plots, phony military installations, misleading bombing raids, sabotage, propaganda, traps, fake codes, and kidnap schemes. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the Allies gained total surprise, mostly because of what Winston Churchill called the greatest hoax in history. But not until two months later, when the Allies broke out of Normandy, did the deception scheme pass into history. By that time, ultimate Allied victory in Europe was assured.
Hoodwinking Hitler is an action-packed, you-are-there account about a colossal and incredibly intricate deception scheme created and implemented by ingenious and diabolical minds, machinations intended to bamboozle the Germans on true Allied invasion plans. Facets of the global chicanery included electronic spoofing, double agents, diplomatic deceit, whispering campaigns, femmes fatales, camouflage, strategic feints, the French underground, murder plots, phony military installations, misleading bombing raids, sabotage, propaganda, traps, fake codes, and kidnap schemes. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the Allies gained total surprise, mostly because of what Winston Churchill called the greatest hoax in history. But not until two months later, when the Allies broke out of Normandy, did the deception scheme pass into history. By that time, ultimate Allied victory in Europe was assured.
- GenresHistoryWorld War II
298 pages, Hardcover
First published March 24, 1993
5 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
William B. Breuer
41 books17 followersWilliam B. Breuer landed with the first assault waves in Normandy on D-Day (June 6, 1944), then fought across Europe. Later, he founded a daily newspaper on a string in Rolla, Missouri, and after that, a highly successful public relations firm in St. Louis, Missouri. He had been writing books full time since 1982
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 4, 2018
I love to finish a book and think "I wish this book would never end". And that is the case with this book. I am unfamiliar with the author although it appears that he has written several book concerning WWII and was a veteran who came ashore at Normandy.
The subject matter is the behind the scenes actions that preceded D-Day without which, as one American General said:"If the Germans have even a 48 hour advance notice of the time and place of the Normandy landings, we could suffer a monstrous catastrophe.". The task before the Allies was misleading the Nazis as to where the Allies would land. It seemed obvious to Germany that the forces would attack at Pas de Calais, the closest area of France to England. In order to further support this misconception, phony military installations were set up, led by General George Patton, complete with rubber tanks, aircraft, etc. which would look realistic to high flying Nazi observer planes. Additionally, since the Allies had broken the Enigma code, British Intelligence filled the airwaves with misleading and confusing information.
The author provides an amazing insight into the spy networks that were operating in Europe and neutral countries such as Spain......brave men and women who faced discovery and death every day as they supported the false information as to when and where the massive landing would take place.
Against all logic, the misinformation and position of the Allied armies were believed and the Nazis began moving troops all over the landscape to prepare for an invasion that wasn't exactly what they expected. This book is chock full of stories of individuals, spies, electronic spoofing, diplomatic deceit, and all the components that supported what Churchill called the "greatest hoax in history".
This is a well written and absolutely fascinating history of the months and days leading up to the largest invasion in military history. Highly recommended.
The subject matter is the behind the scenes actions that preceded D-Day without which, as one American General said:"If the Germans have even a 48 hour advance notice of the time and place of the Normandy landings, we could suffer a monstrous catastrophe.". The task before the Allies was misleading the Nazis as to where the Allies would land. It seemed obvious to Germany that the forces would attack at Pas de Calais, the closest area of France to England. In order to further support this misconception, phony military installations were set up, led by General George Patton, complete with rubber tanks, aircraft, etc. which would look realistic to high flying Nazi observer planes. Additionally, since the Allies had broken the Enigma code, British Intelligence filled the airwaves with misleading and confusing information.
The author provides an amazing insight into the spy networks that were operating in Europe and neutral countries such as Spain......brave men and women who faced discovery and death every day as they supported the false information as to when and where the massive landing would take place.
Against all logic, the misinformation and position of the Allied armies were believed and the Nazis began moving troops all over the landscape to prepare for an invasion that wasn't exactly what they expected. This book is chock full of stories of individuals, spies, electronic spoofing, diplomatic deceit, and all the components that supported what Churchill called the "greatest hoax in history".
This is a well written and absolutely fascinating history of the months and days leading up to the largest invasion in military history. Highly recommended.
August 5, 2019
Great perspective of events surrounding D Day. Entertaining read as well
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March 8, 2011I am reading this book for my Information Operations class at the Naval Postgraduate School. Just starting but I am intrigued by the title. It should be interesting.
March 1, 2025
A topic I wasn’t sure I would enjoy but got into it very rapidly.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews