Deceptions of World War II Hardcover - 2002

From the rear cover

DECEPTIONS OF WORLD WAR II

While much has been written about the great battles and courageous acts of conventional fighting in World War II, some of the more unconventional but no less risky schemes and ruses of cloak-and-dagger agencies and military commanders have mostly eluded the spotlight.

Now, in Deceptions of World War II, noted military historian and author William Breuer presents more than eighty little-known tales of illusions, masquerades, and fakery that were often decisive factors, providing an advantage that could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Painstakingly researched and collected from personal interviews, official archives, and declassified documents, these fresh, fast-paced accounts take you directly into the minds of the men and women who misled their enemy, uncovered military secrets, and furthered their cause by any means possible: stealing Hitler's secret weapon . . . "smuggling" ships to England . . . financing an FBI coup . . . impersonating a submarine fleet . . . unmasking German spies . . . even sending Nazis into the White House.

From Nazi Germany on the march to the Allies' road to victory, you'll marvel at the actions of:

• Ladislas Farago, who was formally classified as insane and yet on active duty in the U.S. Navy, operating as a secret agent
• The nine Germans who "captured" Belgrade by means of a bold bluff
• London's devious "Shadow Warrior, " who invented rumors to throw Germany off its guard and drive a wedge between the Nazi leaders and the military
• The Oslo Gang, whose mind-boggling exploits helped to convict Norwegian traitors and German war criminals soon after the liberation
• Greta Garbo, the world-famous Swedish actress who worked undercover for the British and reported on Nazi sympathizers

Writing in an engaging, dramatic style, Breuer is once again at the top of his form, uncovering nuggets of espionage that will enthrall World War II buffs hungry for new stories of the war as well as anyone interested in compelling tales of history.

From the jacket flap

DECEPTIONS OF WORLD WAR II

While much has been written about the great battles and courageous acts of conventional fighting in World War II, some of the more unconventional but no less risky schemes and ruses of cloak-and-dagger agencies and military commanders have mostly eluded the spotlight.

Now, in Deceptions of World War II, noted military historian and author William Breuer presents more than eighty little-known tales of illusions, masquerades, and fakery that were often decisive factors, providing an advantage that could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Painstakingly researched and collected from personal interviews, official archives, and declassified documents, these fresh, fast-paced accounts take you directly into the minds of the men and women who misled their enemy, uncovered military secrets, and furthered their cause by any means possible: stealing Hitler's secret weapon . . . "smuggling" ships to England . . . financing an FBI coup . . . impersonating a submarine fleet . . . unmasking German spies . . . even sending Nazis into the White House.

From Nazi Germany on the march to the Allies' road to victory, you'll marvel at the actions of:

• Ladislas Farago, who was formally classified as insane and yet on active duty in the U.S. Navy, operating as a secret agent
• The nine Germans who "captured" Belgrade by means of a bold bluff
• London's devious "Shadow Warrior, " who invented rumors to throw Germany off its guard and drive a wedge between the Nazi leaders and the military
• The Oslo Gang, whose mind-boggling exploits helped to convict Norwegian traitors and German war criminals soon after the liberation
• Greta Garbo, the world-famous Swedish actress who worked undercover for the British and reported on Nazi sympathizers

Writing in an engaging, dramatic style, Breuer is once again at the top of his form, uncovering nuggets of espionage that will enthrall World War II buffs hungry for new stories of the war as well as anyone interested in compelling tales of history.