From the Trojan Horse to Gulf War subterfuge, this far-reaching military history examines the importance and ingenuity of wartime deception campaigns. The art of military deception is as old as the art of war. This fascinating account of the practice draws on conflicts from around the world and across millennia. The examples stretch from the very beginnings of recorded military history—Pharaoh Ramses II's campaign against the Hittites in 1294 B.C.—to modern times, when technology has placed a stunning array of devices into the arsenals of military commanders. Military historians often underestimate the importance of deception in warfare. This book is the first to fully describe its value. Jon Latimer demonstrates how simple tricks have been devastatingly effective. He also explores how technology has increased the range and subtlety of what is possible—including bogus radio traffic, virtual images, even false smells. Deception in War includes examples from land, sea, and air to show how great commanders have always had, as Winston Churchill put it, that indispensable “element of legerdemain, an original and sinister touch, which leaves the enemy puzzled as well as beaten.”

It is said that deception among people in a civilized society is something to be loathed even though it seems to be part of human nature; but deception in war is a virtue. Properly designed and executed, stratagems reduce the horrific costs of war. This book is a comprehensive collection of classic articles on deception, hand-picked and expertly introduced by well-known experts on military deception. The purpose of this book is to set in motion a renaissance for using deception as an instrument of statecraft. The various sections are designed to cumulatively provide sufficient breadth and depth on the subject to satisfy both the novice as well as the expert. Packed with expert commentary, interesting background information, and original readings, this book provides the reader with sufficient knowledge to pursue General Eisenhower’s vision for the proper role of deception in support of the national interest.

Looks at the theory and practices of military deception (camouflage, concealment, propaganda) and gives examples of these from history

Time Is Running Out--Are You Battle Ready? Military leaders throughout history have used the strategy of deception to win wars--and Satan is a master strategist. He and his forces have enveloped the world in an unprecedented age of mass media disinformation, government psychological operations, social media censorship and other sophisticated mind-control techniques. In this eye-opening book, military and religious expert Colonel David J. Giammona and Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist Troy Anderson equip you to recognize--and resist--the propaganda and deceptive ideologies infiltrating the Church and society. The last days are coming. And if we don't know how to fight the enemy's pervasive lies, we will be swept away by them. Here are the powerful military and spiritual tactics you need to stand against the devil's rampant deceptions and be a light to a world in darkness. "This book will prepare you to recognize and counter deception not only in politics, religion, media and science, but especially in yourself."--HUGH ROSS, astrophysicist; founder and president, Reasons to Believe "A life-changing, hard-hitting and deeply insightful book. It's the training manual for the coming revival and revolution of the Church."--DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS, pastor; professor; television host, Pathway to Victory

The first book to draw on the official British papers containing deception secrets taht were classified until 1978. Tells the fascinating story of brilliant and sometimes ingenious ploys, and also reveals the many pathetic and sometimes laughable failures of deception strategy.

“A” Force explores an area of World War II deception history that has often been neglected. While older studies have focused on the D-day deception campaign and Britain’s infamous double-agents, this work explores the origins of Britain’s deception activities to reveal how the British became such masterful deceivers. This is the first work to focus exclusively on "A" Force and the origins of British deception, examining how and why the British first employed deception in World War II. More specifically, it traces the development of the "A" Force organization—the first British organization to practice both tactical and strategic deception in the field. Formed in Cairo in 1941, "A" Force was headed by an unconventional British colonel named Dudley Wrangel Clarke. Because there was no precedent for Clarke's "A" Force, it truly functioned on a trial-and-error basis. The learning curve was steep, but Clarke was up for the challenge. By the Battle of El Alamein, British deception had reached maturity. Moreover, it was there that the “deceptionists” established the deception blueprint later used by the London planners to plan and execute Operation Bodyguard, the campaign to conceal Allied intentions for the D-day landing at Normandy. In contrast to earlier deception histories that have tended to focus on Britain’s later efforts emphasizing Operation Bodyguard, this work clearly shows that this strategy was forged much earlier in the deserts of Africa under the leadership of Dudley Clarke, not in London. Moreover, it was born not out of opportunity, but out of sheer desperation, when in June 1940 the British found themselves completely unprepared for war.

Published in 1989, Soviet Military Deception in the Second World War is a valuable contribution to the field of Military & Strategic Studies.