13. Operation Mincemeat: The Floating Body Ruse
In 1943, British intelligence orchestrated Operation Mincemeat to deceive Nazi forces about Allied invasion plans. They obtained the body of Glyndwr Michael, a homeless man who had died from ingesting rat poison, and dressed him as a Royal Marines officer, creating a fictitious identity as Captain (Acting Major) William Martin. Personal items, including fake documents suggesting an invasion of Greece and Sardinia, were placed on the body. The corpse was then released off the coast of Spain, where it was recovered by Spanish authorities and subsequently passed to German intelligence. The Germans believed the documents were genuine, leading them to divert troops to Greece and Sardinia. This misdirection facilitated the successful Allied invasion of Sicily. More details at History.com.
