Operation Glimmer

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Operation Glimmer was the codename for one of the deception operations used by the Allied forces during World War II in connection with the Normandy landings (Operation Overlord). This in conjunction with Operation Taxable, was conducted by aircraft of the Royal Air Force to create a fake threat to induce the Germans to believe that the main invasion of France would occur in the Pas de Calais rather than Normandy.

Both operations were carried out by the precise flying of elongated circuits and dropping of Window (radar countermeasure) or metal foil chaff. This foil when falling appeared on German radar as though a flotilla of ships were approaching; a ruse added to by the sailing of a six 70 foot launches beneath the route of the aircraft adding radio "chatter".

Although the flying for Operation Taxable was undertaken by Avro Lancasters of the famous No. 617 Squadron RAF with an intended route of the Cap d'Antifer, operation Glimmer was undertaken by Short Stirling bombers of No. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron RAF aiming for the Boulogne.

Both squadrons were tasked with precise, accurate flying, with the replacement aircraft having to fall into the circuits perfectly and the routine dropping of the "window" continued with neither overlap nor gap in the pattern.

It is to the credit of the pilots and navigators of 218 Squadron that the German shore batteries actually opened fire on the "ghost" fleet that they created.