How did Allied forces deceive Germany before the Normandy Invasion?

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American soldiers in helmets crouch inside a landing craft approaching a smoke-covered beach during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, June 6, 1944. — Normandy Invasion American assault troops in a landing craft during the Normandy Invasion, June 6, 1944.

Allied forces employed "Operation Fortitude" to deceive the German high command regarding the location of the main invasion. This elaborate deception involved creating a fictitious army, the First U.S. Army Group (FUSAG), complete with fake tanks, aircraft, and infrastructure, positioned in southeast England opposite the Pas-de-Calais region. The Allies also used radio transmissions and double agents to reinforce the belief that the invasion would occur there, rather than in Normandy. General George S. Patton was publicly declared to be in command of FUSAG, leveraging his reputation to enhance the deception's credibility. These tactics successfully diverted German attention and resources away from Normandy, contributing to the success of the Normandy Invasion.12