Patton's Role in the Allied deception scheme known as Operation Fortitude

During the first half of 1944, General George S. Patton was made a prominent figure in the Allied deception scheme known as Operation Fortitude. The operation aimed to mislead German intelligence about the location of the planned invasion of Europe from England. Through a network of British double-agents, the Allies fed the Germans a steady stream of false reports about troop sightings and movements. Patton was falsely reported to be the commander of the First United States Army Group (FUSAG), a fictitious army created to convince the Germans that a massive invasion force was being prepared for an attack at Pas de Calais. This deception involved the use of decoys, props, and fake radio signals to create the illusion of a large force massing around Dover. Patton was ordered to keep a low profile to maintain the ruse, while he was actually training the Third Army. The success of Operation Fortitude led the German 15th Army to remain at Pas de Calais, even after the actual invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, believing it to be a diversionary force. Patton flew to France a month later to return to combat command.