America's Ghost Army of WWII Slide show by Jim Morrocco

If secrets of war intrigue you, or you are a passionate about World War II history, don’t miss the informative and inspiring slideshow by Jim Morrocco, Trustee for the Beverly Historical Society, which promises to illuminate a glimpse into the top-secret U.S. Army Unit known as the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, also referred to as the Ghost Army of World War II.  This hand-picked unit included an array of artists, designers, sound technicians, press agents, and photographers who helped seal the ultimate victory under “a cloak of mystery”.

Mr. Morrocco’s presentation reveals a snapshot into a hidden treasure of war-time secrets locked away from the public under government order for almost 50 years. While viewing this beautiful footage or “multi-layered story of a unique kind of warfare,” you are invited to “step into the boots” of these GIs as you are transported into “the very soul of their fascinating history,” which involved the creation of one of the biggest military hoaxes on record.

Historian Rick Beyer of Lexington and Martha Gavin of Beverly initially inspired Mr. Morrocco to make this slideshow:

I loved the story when I first heard it last June of 2012, at a Ghost Army exhibit held at the Beverly Historical Society. Martha Gavin’s uncle was a ghost soldier and wanted to share his experiences of the top-secret mission during the Second World War and Beyer brought it into his documentary. Both had a deep sense of appreciation, admiration and respect for these soldiers and the amazing top-secret mission handed to them so long ago. After speaking to them, it began to stir my imagination. I felt compelled to help spread this long kept secret and created the slideshow.

The only ticket for admission “through the time tunnel of history” is a curious mind and open heart as Mr. Morrocco’s creative “labor of love” brings you back to the war years with hints to some of   the secrets and mystique behind this war tale of mirage and cunning strategy.

This daring and risky pursuit staged to deceive and distract the German army was an epic performance that will forever receive a standing ovation. These courageous men were acting for their lives as well as the rest of humanity, and their crusade will amaze you. A band of only 1,100 men effectively created an illusion of up to 30,000 troops, deceiving the Nazis and fading into the mists just as quickly.

You might wonder how they managed to fool the enemy so close to the front lines. As Morrocco points out, the only ammunition possessed by this unit was mock weaponry including uniquely different props, recordings, costumes and great “fortitude… the kind that houses incredible abilities to think creatively, act ingeniously, and disappear quickly” into the night.  Their props included inflatable tanks, planes, jeeps and trucks, augmented by rogue radio transmissions, and much more. To get the full account, check out Mr. Morrocco’s slide show featuring photos and other intriguing archival evidence.

Morrocco cleverly arranges photographs, news reel, famous speeches, and more, married with music that induces nostalgia, heroism, joy, and victory. His passion and meticulous style clearly shines through in this project, which is a great appetizer to the main course served by Beyer, in his documentary “Artists of Deception: The Ghost Army of World War II” on PBS on May 21st, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.

This lecture brought to you courtesy of Jim Morrocco and the Beverly Historical Society promises to enlighten “the darkness of post-war secrecy” and the inner workings of this army apparition. So do not keep this one a secret!

The Slide show will be shown @ Danvers Public Library on May 7th, 2013 at 7:00pm. 

Beverly Public Library May 9 @7PM http://www.beverlypubliclibrary.org/ghostarmy/

See it on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TSgsTvNUO0

If you or anyone you know would like to share this unique slideshow with a group or organization, you may contact Jim at either 978-777-9076 or 978-766-9418.