Ep 9. Tools of Deception

During World War II, propaganda played a major role in the war effort. In the ninth episode of Secrets of War's first season, titled “Tools of Deception,” viewers see how propaganda pieces were created and utilized by both the Allies and Axis powers. The episode delves into the strategies and methods used by each side to win the hearts and minds of their citizens and undermine the morale of their enemies.

The episode starts off in the United States with the arrival of a propaganda expert named Bill Donovan. Donovan was tasked with creating propaganda messages for the Office of Strategic Services, a precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency. The episode also explores Germany's use of propaganda to achieve its own aims, The show goes on to highlight the effectiveness of propaganda campaigns and their role in shaping public opinion around the world during the war.

By the end of the episode, viewers see how propaganda was used as a tool of deception, misdirection, and even terror during the war. From the V-1 flying bomb scare campaigns to the Allied “white propaganda” aimed at undermining German morale, the show explores the various tactics employed by both sides of the conflict.

Overall, “Tools of Deception” is an engaging and insightful look at propaganda's role in shaping the two opposing fronts in World War II. Through a mixture of archival footage, expert testimony, and gripping storytelling, the episode conveys the importance of propaganda as a tool of war and the devastating impact it could have on civilian populations.