2167 - Rupert doll that participated in the Normandy landings. A jute sack in the shape of a simplified human figure, 85 cm tall, stuffed with straw, and featuring white cotton wings. All straps are present. The wing suspension lines have been cut and re-sewn. Markings on the back in red KFS paint. Some traces of white paint are visible. Complete white canopy featuring a red fabric strip just below the chimney. Eyes and a smile are visible on the doll’s head. According to the seller, this doll was found on a farm in Normandy and has been preserved by the owner since the D-Day landings. Note that the item shows some wear and patina, as well as a few stains and snags. The British deployed Rupert dolls in 1940 to deceive Italian troops approaching the Siwa Oasis, located in western Egypt. They repeated the tactic in Madagascar on the night of May 4–5, 1942, to lure Vichy troops away from the landing zone. On June 1, 1944, in Italy, the 60 men of the 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade jumped between Sora and Avezzano to cut off German supply lines as part of Operation Hasty. At the same time, eight C-47 Skytrain aircraft from the 8th Airlift Squadron dropped dummy paratroopers to create the impression of greater numbers. On the night of June 5–6, 1944, several hundred decoy dummies were dropped over Normandy by Stirling, Halifax, and Hudson bombers belonging to the 90th, 138th, 149th, and 161st Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Two hundred decoys were dropped in the Yerville–Doudeville–Fauville–Yvetot sector (Titanic I), about fifty east of the Dive River and the Anglo-Canadian drop zones (Titanic II), another fifty southwest of Caen (Titanic III), and 200 dummies in the Marigny area to lure the troops stationed at Saint-Lô (Titanic IV). These drops were spotted by German troops and caused confusion in their ranks for several hours. Rupert Dummy Used During the Normandy Landings. A simplified, human-shaped dummy measuring 85 cm in height, with a burlap outer body stuffed with straw and a white cotton parachute canopy. All straps are present. The canopy suspension lines have been cut and subsequently resewn. Red-painted “KFS” markings on the back. Some traces of white paint are visible. The canopy is entirely white, featuring a strip of red fabric just below the apex vent. Eyes and a smile are visible on the dummy’s head. According to information provided by the seller, this dummy was found on a farm in Normandy and had been kept by the owner since the Normandy landings. The item shows some wear and patina, as well as a few stains and tears. The British first deployed “Rupert” dummy paratroopers in 1940 to deceive Italian troops approaching the Siwa Oasis in western Egypt. They used the tactic again in Madagascar during the night of May 4–5, 1942, to draw Vichy troops away from the landing area. On June 1, 1944, in Italy, 60 men of the 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade jumped between Sora and Avezzano to disrupt German supply lines as part of Operation Hasty. At the same time, eight C-47 Skytrains from the 8th Airlift Squadron dropped dummy paratroopers to create the impression of a much larger airborne force. During the night of June 5–6, 1944, several hundred dummy paratroopers were dropped over Normandy by Stirling, Halifax, and Hudson aircraft belonging to Nos. 90, 138, 149, and 161 Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Two hundred dummies were dropped in the Yerville–Doudeville–Fauville–Yvetot area as part of Operation Titanic I, approximately fifty east of the Dives River; in the Anglo-Canadian drop zones as part of Operation Titanic II, another fifty southwest of Caen; as part of Operation Titanic III; and 200 in the Marigny area as part of Operation Titanic IV, intended to draw away troops stationed at Saint-Lo. These drops were detected by German forces and caused confusion in their ranks for several hours.