Welcome to a whirlwind tour of 10 amazing successful military deception operations that turned the tide of battles, baffled opponents, and rewrote history. From ancient stratagems to modern subterfuge, each ploy showcases the art of misdirection in warfare.

10 Amazing Successful Overview

10 Maskirovka

Maskirovka is a broad military doctrine of Soviet deception developed throughout the early 20th century. Its primary focus is denial, deception, and surprise. The practice utilizes several means of fooling the enemy, ideally suggesting to them that a smaller force is awaiting them “over the hill.”

It was most successfully employed at the Battle of Kursk during World War II, when a relatively large force of Germans unwittingly attacked what they believed to be a small force of Russian troops, which actually numbered more than four times their own. The Russian forces were able to achieve this, in part, by spreading rumors throughout their own ranks as to their capabilities and strength, which spread to the Germans through their counterintelligence collection means. Ammunition and supplies were moved only under the cover of darkness, while camouflage was utilized to conceal anything of military value. Additionally, the Soviets employed fake airfields, which enticed the Germans to bomb dummy aircraft, further confusing their assessment of the Soviet military strength and capabilities.

Prior to the battle, the Germans underestimated the Russians’ strength, thinking that they had fewer than 1,500 tanks and 400,000 men ready to fight. Unfortunately for German intelligence, the Russians’ deception worked, and they confronted more than 1.3 million fighting men, more than twice the estimated number of tanks, and nearly 3,000 aircraft. The resulting battle destroyed the German offensive and earned the Soviets their first victory against the Germans along the Eastern Front. For the remainder of the war, the Germans would be on the defensive all the way to Berlin.

The doctrine is still being used, most recently in the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and the taking of Eastern Ukraine.

9 Bluffing

In 1797, during what has been called “The Last Invasion of Britain,” French Revolutionary forces crossed the North Sea and faced the British at the Battle of Fishguard, which wasn’t really a battle at all. Having previously landed successfully a few miles west of Fishguard with nearly 20 boatloads of troops, 47 barrels of powder, and 50 tons of cartridges and grenades, the French were ready to take the town.

France’s Commodore Castagnier sent a single French ship to reconnoiter the bay while flying the British colors. As soon as the ship was spotted by the British, they fired a single blank from a 9‑lb gun. While the port had eight of these large cannons, they were severely understocked and had only three rounds. The French ship immediately hoisted the French colors and fled the bay. The British may have fired the cannon to signal the ship in some way, but regardless of their intention, they caused the French to reconsider their target and turn away from Fishguard. Had they not fired the initial blank to bluff the French scout ship, the port would likely have been taken.

8 Trojan Coffin

Many stories of the fabled 11th‑century Norwegian King Harald Hardrada have been told throughout the years, detailing his bravery and ingenuity at combat. During his conquest on the road to becoming the king of Norway, Harald laid siege to an unnamed castle by camping outside and establishing his men for the upcoming battle. He also had erected a small tent a ways outside the main camp, where he lay sick and possibly dying. Before any battle took place, it was reported that the great king had perished from his illness, and his men ventured toward the castle to tell the news of their commander’s demise. They addressed a large gathering of priests and requested that they allow their fallen commander to be buried within the city.

The priests believed that they would receive rich gifts for accommodating the bereaved fighting men and acquiesced. They formed a large procession and took Harald’s ornate coffin into their castle, along with a small group of his men. Once they’d crossed the threshold and entered the castle grounds, Harald’s men immediately barred the gate, called the remaining men to battle, and the good King Harald himself leaped from the coffin and declared that everyone be killed. The castle was taken, and Harald’s legendary exploits continued toward the conquest of England.

7 Elaborate Hoax

After losing one of its most prized ships, the recently constructed ironclad USS Indianola, the Union Navy conducted the most successful hoax operation of the US Civil War. The Indianola was a considerably formidable vessel, though it was plagued with problems during its construction, and it saw several successful combat operations.

Attempting to pass the city of Vicksburg, the ship engaged in a battle against the Confederate Webb, which rammed the vessel, causing its starboard wheel and rudder to become inoperable. As the ship began to take on water, its captain, Lieutenant Commander George Brown, ordered it run ashore, where he quickly dumped the Union codebooks and surrendered to prevent a greater loss of life. The Confederates moved the Indianola to the eastern bank of the Mississippi and established a 100‑man salvage crew accompanied by two pieces of field artillery in an attempt to salvage the valuable vessel.

Deciding to attempt a recovery operation, Rear Admiral David D. Porter ordered that an old coal barge be made to look like a larger ironclad intent on taking the Confederates: “It was built of old boards in twelve hours, with pork‑barrels on top of each other for smoke‑stacks, and two old canoes for quarter‑boats; her furnaces were built of mud, and only intended to make black smoke and not steam. Painted on the side was the taunting slogan: ‘Deluded Rebels, cave in!‘ ” To ensure that the Confederates saw the vessel approaching, he launched it in broad daylight toward the Confederate defenses.

Seeing the “formidable vessel” approaching, the salvage crew first attempted to raise the Indianola before finally deciding to blow its magazines, scuttling the ship. The Indianola was eventually resurfaced and returned to the North toward the end of the war.

6 Fraudulent Document

Sometimes all it takes is a well‑executed bluff to confuse and capture the enemy. During the Crusades, following more than a year of what can only be described as a peaceful siege, wherein Sultan Baybars’s (also spelled Baibars) army camped outside the castle of Krak des Chevaliers, using its resources without engaging, the time had come to engage the formidable fortress.

The castle was built to withstand long sieges. Its fortifications were almost twice the size of that of some European castles, and it featured a large moat, high walls, and a gate accessible only by a long, winding passage. While the sultan had a superior fighting force, which had successfully stood against the Mongols and won, the Hospitaller stronghold had the advantage of fortitude, and the fight would certainly be a bloody and costly one. Knowing this, Sultan Baybars, who by all accounts was a brilliant tactician, retreated and devised a plan that involved a single sheet of paper.

Baybars finally got to implement his plan in the most spectacular way in 1271 during the Eighth Crusade, when he delivered a letter to his enemy—from his enemy. After a ten‑day siege that took down a portion of the outer wall of the castle, a letter drafted from the leader of the Hospitaller ordered the men inside the castle to surrender. The knights immediately capitulated and followed the orders of their leader by sending a party out to meet the sultan and arrange conditions for their surrender. The deception worked, and the castle was taken without the need for further siege or bloodshed, all due to a falsified signature at the bottom of a piece of paper.

5 Feigned Retreat

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 is a hotly debated battle in many historical circles. There is no consensus as to whether William II of Normandy, later called William the Conqueror, initiated a feigned retreat or an actual one. Whether or not the decision to withdraw his cavalry was made by William to engage the British doesn’t matter when you consider that no other feigned retreat has been as successful before or since that battle nearly 1,000 years ago.

During the battle, the British shield wall was established by the best men available and continuously held the line against the onslaught of William’s cavalry until finally, the cavalry turned and fled. As they withdrew from the shield wall, the men holding the line broke and followed them in one of the biggest blunders in military history. As they engaged, the cavalry—now able to hold their ground against a sparse force without horses—quickly fell back on the pursuers and devastated their ranks. Simultaneously, the remaining forces were engaged, and due to their weakened lines, they were quickly destroyed. The successful feigned retreat by the cavalry won the battle and brought about the end of Anglo‑Saxon rule in England.

4 Baiting An Attack

Oftentimes, the best deception operations are carried out due to accurate and timely intelligence that helps commanders to make decisions to thwart an enemy’s attack. Other times, this information has been used to bait an attack so that a counter‑attack can be implemented to achieve a positive result for the defensive force. This occurred during the Vietnam War, when the commanders of the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Division, learned through intelligence that the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and elements of the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) were planning to attack an unnamed firebase as a test or probing operation.

Knowing this, the Americans established Diamond I Firebase 25 kilometers (16 mi) outside of Tay Ninh, an area that would make it enticing to attack. They placed ground sensors throughout the base and also reinforced it with a significant amount of artillery. The result: “Rather than the PAVN and NVA regiment having an easy battle, it was twice repulsed [and] suffered heavy casualties.” The attack took place on February 24, 1969, and cost the Vietnamese 118 soldiers and two captured.

3 Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing

During World I, the German Navy maintained a highly successful fleet of U‑boats (aka Unterseeboots) that operated in the Atlantic Ocean. While submarines were technically invented and used as early as the US Civil War, they did not see widespread use in naval combat until 1914, and the Germans were quite adept at being sneaky under the sea. The biggest problem that a surface vessel faced during this time was a complete inability to locate a U‑boat. Sonar was developed very early in the war, but it wasn’t anywhere near as effective or efficient as it is today, so navies like the British and French utilized hydrophones, which had a short range and weren’t very effective if a U‑Boat’s crew was well‑trained and quiet.

Because of this, Q‑boats were established. These were heavily armed vessels of all sorts that were “dressed” as merchant ships. Their job was to sail the seas and entice the U‑boats to surface and attack only to find that their “prey” was much more skilled at defense than they originally thought. To further sell the deception, the ships would fly false colors would be flown, and when a U‑boat approached, part of the crew, known as the “panic party,” would appear to abandon the ship. Once the submarine was in range, hidden guns were revealed, the White Ensign (the flag of the Royal Navy) raised, and the U‑boat was sunk.

The use of Q‑boats led to the sinking of ten U‑boats, so it was successful, although most of its success came by forcing Germany to completely change how it conducted naval warfare—albeit too late for them to effectively win the war.

2 Left Hook

Operation Desert Storm saw one of the most successful uses of deception via radio signals ever employed in warfare. The Iraqis’ attention was on an amphibious training maneuver by the United States Marine Corps, leading them to strongly believe that the Americans would invade along their coastline. They subsequently prepared for this eventuality.

Additionally, the 18th and 5th Corps Headquarters began their maneuvers through the desert in a massive flanking maneuver known as a “left hook,” where they were able to effectively outflank the Iraqis and attack while also blocking any avenue of retreat back into Iraqi territory from Kuwait. During these maneuvers, the Corps’s signals units broadcasted mimicked signals, which effectively made the Iraqis believe that the units were completely stationary.

As the units continued to move toward the Iraqi lines, the Iraqi forces moved away from them toward the coastline in order to repel their invaders. The result was a ground war that lasted only three days and caused the Iraqis to completely withdraw from Iraqi‑occupied Kuwait. Most of their army surrendered to the Americans and Allied troops who had cut off their escape. After 100 hours of combat on the ground, President Bush declared a cease‑fire and the successful liberation of Kuwait on February 27, 1991.

1 False Flag

Following Germany’s successful expansion into the neighboring countries of Austria and Czechoslovakia in 1938 and 1939, Hitler needed to continue to create Lebensraum (“Living Space”) for his idealized expansion of Germany. Hitler knew that he couldn’t easily get away with such expansion into the likes of Poland without the rest of the world raising an eyebrow, so he devised a false flag operation to allow for his entrance into the bordering nation.

Along the border town of Gleiwitz, several Jews were taken from a concentration camp and dressed in German border guard uniforms. They were taken to a nearby radio tower in Germany and shot and killed just outside the border of Poland. This action, which could become known as the Gleiwitz incident, along with 20 other less serious matters, were then used by the fuhrer’s propaganda campaign to forward his cause to take Poland.

Hitler immediately cited Polish aggression and invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, saying, “This night for the first time Polish regular soldiers fired on our own territory. Since 5:45 AM, we have been returning the fire […]. I will continue this struggle, no matter against whom, until the safety of the Reich and its rights are secured.” While it is certainly true that German aggression was ongoing up to this point, the war can be said to have officially begun with the invasion of Poland, since two days following the attack, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany.

Jonathan is an amateur graphic artist, illustrator, and game designer with a few independently published games through his game company, TalkingBull Games. He enjoys researching and writing about history, science, theology, and many other subjects.

Bioluminescence (the ability of living organisms to generate light) is nothing short of mesmerizing. While fireflies lighting up a summer night are a familiar sight, the underwater world hosts a far more cunning side of glowing. In this roundup of 10 cases bioluminescence, we’ll dive into how marine life harnesses light for both protection and trickery.

10 Cases Bioluminescence: A Quick Look

In a serendipitous 2010 expedition, scientists gathering samples for a sperm‑whale feeding study off the Gulf of Mexico inadvertently captured a brand‑new pocket shark species. Measuring a modest 14 cm (about 5.5 in), this diminutive shark went unrecognized until a deeper examination in 2013 revealed its true identity.

The oversight is understandable, given that its only known cousin resides in the Pacific, far from the Gulf’s warm waters. Among the roughly 500 shark species cataloged worldwide, this newcomer boasts a truly odd talent.

Flanking each of its front fins are tiny pouches brimming with a luminous fluid. When the shark wishes, it can expel this glowing mixture, creating miniature, sparkling clouds that drift in the surrounding water.

These luminous plumes act as bait, luring light‑drawn prey—much like moths to a candle—right into the shark’s waiting jaws, making for an effortless feast.

9 The Anglerfish’s Glowing Fishing Pole

The anglerfish, encompassing around 200 species, inhabits the pitch‑black depths where sunlight never penetrates. To compensate, the female anglerfish sports a dorsal spine that juts outward like a fishing rod, crowned with a luminous lure.

This glowing orb acts as bait, drawing unsuspecting organisms toward the darkness‑loving predator. Once the prey is within striking distance, the anglerfish snaps its massive, crescent‑shaped mouth—lined with delicate, translucent teeth—closed in a flash.

Remarkably flexible, the anglerfish can engulf victims up to twice its own length, a feat made possible by its expandable body. The largest members can surpass a meter (about 3 ft) in size.

8 The Hawaiian Bobtail Squid’s Million Army Invisibility

By day, this bobtail squid burrows beneath Hawaiian sands, staying hidden from predators. When night falls, it must venture out to hunt, yet still needs to stay concealed.

Within a specialized organ in its mantle, the squid cultivates a symbiotic colony of luminous bacteria. Shortly after hatching, the juvenile secretes a unique mucus that beckons these microbes, inviting them to take up residence.The bacteria emit just enough light to perfectly match the faint moonlight filtering through the ocean, rendering the squid virtually invisible against the background glow. In return, the bacteria feast on sugars and amino acids supplied by their host.

7 The Red Searchlight Of The Black Dragonfish

Most marine bioluminescence shines blue, a hue that travels far underwater and is easily detected by many sea creatures. Red light, by contrast, is quickly absorbed and invisible to most ocean dwellers.

The black dragonfish defies this norm. It first creates a short‑wavelength (blue) glow, then passes the light through an internal fluorescent pigment that stretches it into a deep red. This red beam is then released into the abyss.

What makes this feat extraordinary is that the dragonfish can both produce and perceive red light—an ability shared by only a handful of deep‑sea species. The result is a private spotlight that illuminates prey while keeping the predator hidden, granting a decisive hunting advantage.

6 The Deadly Shine Of The Bioluminescent Octopus

Known as Stauroteuthis syrtensis, this octopus reaches a span of about 36 cm (14 in) across its webbed arms. Its most striking feature is a set of modified suction cups that emit a vivid blue‑green glow.

Living at crushing depths up to 4,000 m (13,100 ft), the octopus’s diet consists primarily of tiny, light‑sensitive planktonic crustaceans. These prey organisms are irresistibly drawn to the shimmering illumination.

By flashing sustained and pulsing lights, the octopus lures its victims close enough to ensnare them in a mucous‑laden web, securing a swift and deadly meal.

5 The Cookiecutter Shark’s ‘Broken’ Camouflage

The cookiecutter shark employs a clever version of counter‑illumination, much like the Hawaiian bobtail squid, by lining most of its underside with photophores that match the faint light from above.

However, a conspicuous “collar” around its neck lacks these light‑producing organs, creating a small, unlit patch. While the majority of its body blends seamlessly, this gap remains visible.

Rather than a flaw, the exposed neck acts as a deceptive lure. Predators mistake the visible patch for a tiny fish and strike, only to discover the shark’s massive jaws and razor‑sharp teeth.

When an unsuspecting animal bites the exposed area, the shark clamps down with a powerful suction, then spins rapidly, slicing a neat plug of flesh from its target before slipping away.

4 The Green Bombs Of The Swima Worms

Off the western coast of the United States, the genus Swima resembles a tiny rowing boat, its body lined with fan‑shaped bristles that act as paddles for navigation.

Near the head, a cluster of vivid green gills earns them the nickname “Green Bombers.” Each worm carries roughly eight of these luminous organs.

If threatened, a worm can detach one of its glowing gills, which then flashes an intense green light, creating a dazzling distraction. While the predator’s attention is diverted, the worm darts away to safety.

3 The Squid Willing To Make Sacrifices

The deep‑sea squid Octopoteuthis deletron takes the “green bomber” strategy to an extreme. When cornered by a predator, it latches onto the attacker and then severs its own arms.

The detached limbs continue to thrash and emit bioluminescent glows, serving as a bright, moving decoy that confuses the predator long enough for the squid to make a hasty escape.

Although losing limbs costs the creature valuable energy for regeneration, the trade‑off favors survival—better to regrow than to be devoured.

2 The Milky Glow Of The Hitchhiker Bacteria

In 1995, the British merchant ship SS Lima sailed through a six‑hour stretch of ocean that glowed with a milky, cloud‑like luminescence, resembling floating snow.

This eerie tableau was caused by an enormous congregation of bioluminescent bacteria, a phenomenon far larger than typical bacterial blooms seen in open water.

While producing light expends energy, the bacteria use the glow as an invitation rather than a defense. The shimmering beacon attracts fish and squid, which feed on the bacteria, thereby transporting them to new habitats and spreading the colony.

1 The Fire‑Spitting Shrimp

Acanthephyra purpurea looks like any ordinary shrimp—no photophores, no visible glow. Yet, when threatened, it can unleash a spectacular chemical defense.

The shrimp stores the light‑producing compound luciferin in a specialized sac. Upon attack, it forcefully expels the luciferin, which mixes with oxygenated seawater.

This reaction creates a brief, blue‑flamed flash that resembles a tiny fireball, startling predators and granting the shrimp a precious moment to flee.

In war, strategy is everything. A single well-executed maneuver can be the difference between victory and defeat. This was certainly the case with the Trojan Horse, a brilliant tactical move that allowed the Greeks to take control of Troy. But, while the story of the Trojan horse may be a thing of fiction, the use of wacky but clever ploys in war is not.

Here is a list of some of the most clever deceptive tactics that have been used in war throughout history.

10 Fake Paris in World War 1

Paris is a city rich with history that stretches back centuries. But during World War I, German bomber planes flying by night were an imminent threat to the iconic landmarks of the French capital. The French came up with a pretty ingenious plan to build a fake Paris replica out of wood and canvas, complete with lights, so that it would fool the German pilots at night.

The decoy city would be located just outside the real Paris, and it would be designed to confuse and lure the German pilots away from their true target. Fortunately, the war ended shortly after construction began, so the plan was never fully realized. The story of the fake Paris is a reminder of the lengths that people will go to in times of war. It is also a testament to the power of human ingenuity and creativity, even in the face of adversity.^[1]

9 German City Does Not Go Dark to Avoid Bombing

Like France, German cities were also terrorized by nighttime air raids. In World War II, one German city called Konstanz, which sits near the border of Switzerland, was able to elude bombardment by refusing to turn out the lights after dark. In order to protect itself from nighttime air raids, German cities were forbidden from using any lights. Street lamps and buildings went dark, and citizens were not allowed to use candles and had to cover their windows with curtains or black paint.

On the other hand, their Swiss neighbors—who were neutral in WWII and thus not targeted by the Allies—remained illuminated at night. By keeping their lights on, Konstanz was able to fool the Allied forces into thinking they were part of Switzerland and managed to make it through the war mostly unscathed.^[2]

8 Ghost Army

If you think deception is an art, then the U.S. Army took it to new heights during World War II. They went so far as to gather a team of artists and audio experts to create an elaborate phantom military unit of inflatable tanks and phony sound effects and radio transmissions to fool the Nazis.

The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, also known as the “Ghost Army,” was made up of around 1,100 soldiers who were tasked with creating lifelike dummy tanks, trucks, and artillery. They also played recorded sounds of battle to make it seem like there were more troops than there actually were. The bluff created a distraction that tied up enemy resources and preoccupied them with a military presence that wasn’t really there while the real Army maneuvered elsewhere.^[3]

7 Foiled Camisade During the War of 1812

During the war of 1812, one town on the coast of Maryland managed to fool the British during a nighttime siege. St. Michaels was a shipbuilding town targeted by British forces approaching via the Miles River. When an attack by the British became imminent, the townspeople decided to take action.

They placed lanterns in the treetops around the town, making it appear as though the town was at a higher elevation than it actually was. When the British rowed onto shore in the night, they were met with cannon fire by the Americans. This drove them back to their ships, from which they fired upon the town. Because they aimed at the lights in the trees they thought were windows and buildings, they ultimately shot over the town and failed to hit anything.^[4]

6 Army Builds a Fake Base to Fool Saddam Hussein

The Gulf War was fought in the early 1990s as a coalition of forces from more than 30 countries sought to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. Before the first bombs fell on Baghdad in 1991, the U.S. military was engaged in a battle of wits with Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi dictator had invaded Kuwait and was dug in for a long occupation. In order to drive him out, the U.S.-led coalition needed to mount a surprise attack. But how could they keep Saddam guessing about their plans?

The answer was Forward Operating Base Weasel, a secret military base set up for the purpose of deceiving the Iraqi leader. By sending out false radio signals, including recorded Egyptian radio traffic about the Americans and planting bogus intelligence, the coalition was able to convince Saddam that the main attack would come from the south when in reality, it would be coming from the west. It was a daring plan, and it worked like a charm. Thanks to the brave men and women at Forward Operating Base Weasel, Saddam was caught off guard when the real attack came, and his forces were quickly routed.^[5]

5 Vietnam POW Plays Stupid to Deceive Captors

Douglas Brent Hegdahl III was only twenty years old when he was taken captive by the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. A Navy seaman, Hegdahl had been on a ship in the Gulf of Tonkin when he fell overboard and was picked up by a North Vietnamese fishing boat. Hegdahl was immediately taken prisoner and spent the next two years in captivity.

During that time, he developed a deep understanding of the Vietnamese language and culture. However, he was able to fool his captors into thinking he was stupid and harmless. He exaggerated his country accent and expressed a fascination with communism. As a result, he was treated relatively well and was dubbed “the incredibly stupid one.” He was allowed to roam the POW camp freely and would secretly sabotage the Vietnamese by doing things like putting dirt in gas tanks to disable them. He was eventually released as part of a prisoner exchange. After returning to the United States, Hegdahl was tapped for his knowledge about the Vietnamese as part of negotiations for ending the war.^[6]

4 Hannibal of Barca Tricks Romans

A trap is only as good as its bait, and when it comes to luring in his enemies, Hannibal of Barca is a master angler. In 216 BC, the Carthaginian commander found himself and his army cornered in a valley in Campania. Unfortunately, his army was situated in a valley with Romans guarding the only way out—a mountain pass.

Seeing no other way to escape, Hannibal took a herd of cattle and stampeded them toward the pass with flaming torches on their horns. The guards, thinking the cattle were Hannibal’s soldiers, rushed to confront them and his army safely slipped away under cover of night. It’s a story that has gone down in history as one of the most clever military maneuvers, and it’s a testament to Hannibal’s resourcefulness as a leader.^[7]

3 Operation Mincemeat

In 1943, British intelligence came up with an outlandish plan to deceive the Nazis that sounds straight out of a spy flick. The plan, codenamed Operation Mincemeat, involved planting false documents on the body of a dead man and releasing the body into the sea off the coast of Spain. The corpse was that of a homeless man but was given a fake identity to pass off as a dead British officer.

The hope was that the Germans would learn of the corpse and believe the contents of the phony documents attached to it. The plan was successful, and the Germans were led to believe that the Allies were going to invade Greece and Sardinia rather than Sicily. As a result, they diverted troops to these areas, which helped ensure the success of the Allied invasion of Sicily. Operation Mincemeat is now considered one of the most successful deceptions in military history.^[8]

2 Opium-Laced Cigarettes

In World War I, the British and the Ottomans were embroiled in a slow, drawn-out battle in the trenches. Eventually, the British learned that the Ottomans had run out of cigarettes, at which point they sent packs to the enemy. However, the action was far from altruistic as they also attached propaganda in an attempt to demoralize and taunt their adversaries.

The Ottomans willingly took the smokes but defiantly discarded the propaganda, showing no intention to surrender. The British prepared to raid the enemy but, before doing so, sent over more cigarettes, this time laced with opium. By the time the British launched their attack, it was an easy victory as their enemy was too strung out to put up much of a fight.^[9]

1 Cats on the Battlefield

Back in 525 BC, a war was waged between the Persians and Egyptians. In the battle of Pelusium, the battle-tested Persian leader Cambyses II was able to get the best of Egypt’s young inexperienced pharoah, Psametik III. In Egyptian culture, cats and other animals were held as sacred. Cambyses II knew this, and according to ancient accounts, he had his army show up to battle with images of cats painted on their shields.

Additionally, Persian forces released a large number of cats, dogs, and sheep onto the frontlines. The Egyptians were fearful of causing harm to these animals and were so alarmed at the sight of Persian soldiers throwing cats at them that they fled in panic. As a result, many Egyptians were slain in the process, and the Persians were able to take control of Egypt with relative ease.^[10]