An American War Arts Story

In the summer of 1944, a group of 1,100 American troops performed perhaps the greatest theatrical show in American history, and took it on tour.

Their audience? The Nazis. 

A new PBS documentary airing on May 21, Ghost Army, details the amazing tale of a previously top secret WWII mission that hinged on one specific element: art.

The Ghost Army, was comprised of artists, craftsmen, and other creatives who spent their days in the trenches building mock base camps, convoys, tank patrols and other military maneuvers, all in strategically plain sight of German troops. The men used inflatable tanks, fake headquarter buildings, sound effects, and even made up radio transmissions. All of this in an effort to trick the enemy into thinking that American troops were on the move.

As the feature article about the upcoming documentary on Fast Company's website states:

"The Ghost Army devised more than 20 deceptive operations, phony convoys, and phantom divisions--each impersonating a different (and vastly larger) U.S. unit--to fool the enemy about the strength and ubiquity of American units. Soldiers even hung out at local cafés, spinning yarns for eavesdropping spies. The effort culminated along the Rhine in the final days of the war, in which thousands of lives depended on a convincing performance."

Beyond the battlefield, the United States called upon its artists time and time again during WWII. As essential materials ran low, troop recruitment slowed and patriotism was at its highest, the US government commissioned artists, such as Norman Rockwell, to create posters and images that not only were attractive to the public, but conveyed important messages - “We Want You!” for example, or the series of “Buy War Bonds” posters created to finance the War. Celebrities, especially musicians, were called upon to help create PSAs and movies that promoted patriotism and support of American troops. Not to mention the countless concerts performed by artists such as Bob Hope throughout the War, and throughout military conflicts to this day.

Back home after war, Veterans today are given many opportunities to participate in the arts. Through projects such as the Blue Star Museums Initiative, which gives Veterans and their families free admission to museums from Memorial Day through Labor Day, or MusiCorps, who enlists the musical talents of wounded Veterans and gives them a stage to perform on all over the country, American artists and arts organizations give back to their veterans on many levels.

As we approach Memorial Day, the Mauldin Cultural Center wishes to say a special thank you to all American Troops, past, present and future.