During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

, Operation Span was an Allied military deception operation in support of the landings in southern France in 1944. After the ''Dragoon'' landings, landing craft and other amphibious vessels were used to approach likely landing areas elsewhere in southern France coast and along the Italian coast. This tied down German troops and prevented their deployment against the beachhead.Jeffrey J. Clarke and Robert Ross Smith, ''Riviera to the Rhine'' (1993). CMH Pub 7-10, cloth, GPO S/N 008-029-00213-2; CMH Pub 7-10-1, paper, GPO S/N 008-029-00229-9. "A history of combat operations by Sixth Army Group from its landing in southern France to its crossing of the Rhine."

References

Battles and operations of World War II Operation Dragoon World War II deception operations {{World-War-II-stub