Operation Taxable

Operation Taxable 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 Glimmer, 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 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 eight Harbour Defence Motor Launches beneath the route of the aircraft adding radio "chatter".

The flying for Operation Taxable was undertaken by Avro Lancasters of the famous No. 617 Squadron RAF or "Dam Busters" with an intended route of the Cap d'Antifer, while 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.

As with operation Glimmer, the last aircraft of 617 squadron had the pleasure of witnessing German shore batteries opening fire on the "Ghost" convoy.The RAF conducted another deception operation at the same time Operation Titanic which involved the dropping of dummy parachutists in the areas to the east and west of the Normandy landings.