Magic in World War II

World War II was a dark time in the history of our world, but one story comes to us as a lighthearted and very unique tale from this era. A magician was hired by allied powers in Europe to help defeat the Nazi threat using his illusions. That's right a real magician participated in the great war, and was an invaluable asset to the victories won around the Suez Cannel.

A native to Britain Jasper Maskelyne was more then happy to answer his countries call to action during this time of crises. However Jasper was not going to fight using a gun, tank or any other means of force, rather he would fight as a magician! Not in the sense of being a spell caster, that was something the Nazi's were interested in, Jasper was a long time stage performer. Jasper was a decent magician when it came to acts of slight of hand, but he was renowned for his abilities when it came to illusions. Looking for new and innovative ways to fight the war in Europe Great Britain realized his potential and asked Jasper for his help, and he agreed.

His exploits included, making building disappear, hiding large troop concentrations, creating reinforcements and even making whole cities disappear and reaper several miles away from their original locations. Some of Jaspers exploits remain top secret to this day; however two of his most famous illusions have come to light.

War would be so easy if we could just create armies, especially if you were running low on men and resources. Well that was the case in the midst of World War II in the Suez Canal region. British troops were spread thin and resources were low, it seemed as if general Ramal from the German army would take the area by force in a matter of weeks. Well Jasper had other plans. He set about contemplating one of his greatest illusions, to create an army to fight the Germens! This was done in a very simple fashion, under the command of Jasper troops set about making cardboard cutouts of tanks and troops, and using common sheets to make more of the same. In the hot dry climate and frequent sandstorms of the region this illusion was enough to fool the entire German army from a distance and keep them at bay. Meanwhile real troops and armored vehicles were able to flank the massive German force and take them with little resistance.

This victory was only matched in scale and success by another illusion that was ingenious. Allied reports showed that a German air raid was coming at night against a heavily populated city. There was no way to evacuate all of the people and if the raid was a success it would mean a major blow to the allied powers and their supporters. Britain again called on Jasper for any ideas, and he had a great one. Why not make the city disappear? And so it was done.

By mapping out the layout of the city several miles away over the open sea Jasper set forth a plan for his greatest illusion. Once the area was mapped out, lights were placed upon floatation devices and ships, then turned on. At night the formation looked just like a city over land, and of course this was made even more potent because radar was in it's infancy, and pilots making nighttime bombing runs relied on coordinates and landmarks to get bearings on a target.

That night the air raid was seen coming and every light in the intended target city was shut off. The German pilots saw the lighted up sea city and headed that way thinking they were just a few miles off course. Without knowing they dropped thousands of bombs into the water where they either sank or exploded harmlessly. No single person died as a result of the attack, and the cost was greater to Germany then to the Allied powers.

Jasper retired after his work for the military, he actually ran a driving school in Nairobi for some time. His life was lead normally after his exploits in World War II, although he never gave up on magic. A few students received lessons from him on the side, and he did perform a few shows just after returning home from the war effort. Jasper Maskelyne died in 1973, leaving behind a legacy that has to be the most unique and mystifying of the entire War.