Rupert Dummies Diverted German Defenders

During D-Day, the Allies dropped approximately 500 dummy paratroopers known as Ruperts away from the genuine airborne landing zones. The small cloth figures resembled full-sized parachutists from a distance, while attached noisemakers and explosives simulated rifle fire and soldiers burning their parachutes after landing. The deception convinced some German defenders that additional airborne assaults were underway and diverted attention while real paratroopers landed near Caen and on the Cotentin Peninsula toward Cherbourg.

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