The following quotations are of interest in view of the background of the story.

‘Secrecy can only be maintained by deception. For this purpose I am … Thus we shall keep the enemy in doubt until the last moment.’ Letter from Prime Minister to President regarding preparations for TORCH; 27/7/42. The Second World War by Winston S. Churchill, Vol. IV, p. 405.

‘Even the President helped out in this particular deception.’ Crusade in Europe by General Eisenhower, p. 105.

‘… still engaged in discussions with the Prime Minister in Cabinet and the Chiefs of Staff Committee about the expedition’s build up and various deception and security measures for keeping the enemy guessing its destination.’ The Turn of the Tide by Arthur Bryant, based on the War Diaries of Field Marshal the Viscount Alanbrooke.