Operation Bertram, Military deception operation site near El Alamein, Egypt.
Operation Bertram was a British military deception campaign that used fake tanks, artillery, and supply depots scattered across the desert to mislead enemy forces. These fabricated structures were designed to shift perceived targets and draw Axis attention away from the real assault zone.
The operation began in 1942 under Field Marshal Montgomery to deceive German forces about when and where the Allied assault on El Alamein would occur. It marked a turning point in using camouflage techniques at scale and reshaped how militaries approached deception in desert warfare.
Military strategists, architects, and artists collaborated to create sophisticated camouflage systems that changed modern warfare approaches in North Africa.
The site sits in open desert with little shade or natural shelter, so bring water, a hat, and sun protection when visiting. Since there are no buildings or established facilities, it helps to arrange a vehicle beforehand and prepare for rough track conditions.
British engineers constructed an intentionally incomplete water pipeline advancing at only five kilometers per day to reinforce the impression of ongoing preparations rather than imminent action. This deceptive detail significantly contributed to enemy intelligence misjudging the battle's timing.
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