Operation Copperhead

Operation Copperhead was a small British Military deceptive operation before the Normandy Landings and was intended to mislead German intelligence as to the location of General Bernard Law Montgomery. It was well known that Monty was an important figure in the war, he would be part of any major offensive the Allies launched. Hence, Intel figured that if he were to be spotted outside of London, the Germans could be deceived that the Landings were to come at the south of France. Brig. Dudley Clarke was assigned to the operation, and soon he found a lookalike stage actor, Meyrick Clifton James in London. James was assigned to Monty's office, and had a few meetings with him, so as to familiarise himself with the general's mannerisms.

The Allies made use of their double-agent network to feed the idea that Monty would lead ground operations during the Invasion. On may 26 1944, James was flown overnight to Algiers, publicly parading through the airport and met Gen. Maitland Wilson, possibly to plan thye things ahead. He'd been seen in Algiers, smoking, drinking and staggering, hence he was flown the next day to Cairo. He was to remain hidden there until the public disclosure of Montgomery's presence in France. Meanwhile, double agents in North Africa were used to extend the masquerade for a few more days, by hinting Montgomery was still in the region.

The impact was very little, as the information of Monty being in Africa was not passed onto the German command in France. Bodyguard had done enough to convince the Germans, and Monty's drama added little to the picture