The Ghost Army

Rick Beyer's PBS-aired documentary focuses on the extraordinary work of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops during World War II. This was an unusual brigade that was sent across Nazi territory with some highly unlikely weapons: inflatable rubber tanks, sound-effects recordings blasted from oversized speakers, and phony scripts used in radio broadcasts that were intended to be heard by the enemy. The goal was to fool the Germans into believing that attacks would originate at specific points on the battlefield, when, in fact, the actual Allied troop movements were happening elsewhere. With more than 20 deception operations to their credit, including a daring mission connected to the crossing of the Rhine into Germany, this group played an unusual but important role. The depth of their operations was kept classified for a half-century—no mean feat, since some of the men involved included such high-profile figures as fashion designer Bill Blass, photographer Art Kane, and artist Ellsworth Kelly. This intriguing and often entertaining film brings together 19 of the veterans, who happily recall their adventures and share the drawings and watercolors they created while in the military. Interspersed rare footage—including color film of war-ravaged France—and photographic records help document the soldiers' remarkable achievements. DVD extras include deleted scenes, archival footage, and an art show featuring the participants' work. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)