A new book by a North Wales author explores misinformation as a weapon of war.

Eryl Jones' first piece of fiction, 'Operation Auger', is set during World War II and examines how misinformation shaped the outcome of the conflict.

Eryl Jones hails from North East Wales, where he grew up in the small villages of Rhuallt and Ffynnongroyw.

In the book, Mr Jones imagines a scenario two months after the D-Day landings where the Allies, locked in a stalemate with Axis forces, turn to psychological warfare via espionage and misinformation.

The author, Mr Jones, said: "Wartime deception was not just a matter of the overt, such as the proliferation of fake planes and tanks in the English countryside; bogus information was also routinely fed to the opposition.

"One would not work without the other, and without both, the ruse had no chance of succeeding."

The novel draws on real-life strategies employed by the Combined Intelligence Committee, Britain's masters of deception, who systematically crafted false information to mislead the enemy.

Mr Jones said: "When it comes to the quality and capability of weaponry, the Allies and Axis forces were relatively evenly matched.

"However, in the shadowy realm of deception and cunning tactics, the British stood unrivalled.

"The longstanding British ethos of ‘fair play’ was cast aside, making way for a more ruthless approach to warfare."

His novel imagines a plan by British intelligence to convince the Germans of the existence of a Roman Empire-dug tunnel beneath the English Channel, believed to be rediscovered by the Allies.

As Mr Jones describes, the possibility of such a tunnel seems far-fetched, but therein lies the genius – what if it were true?

This could provide the Allies with an unexpected backdoor into Europe, allowing them to win the war while their enemy was distracted.

The book portrays the misinformation game from both sides, with German and British agents engaging in a battle of wits across the Western theatre.

Mr Jones weaves historical fact with fiction to showcase how misinformation and propaganda have always been tools of power, used to influence perceptions and alter the balance.

Mr Jones' passion for World War II history, combined with his fascination with the power of deception, inspired 'Operation Auger', his first piece of fiction.

Mr Jones invites readers to consider how the manipulation of truth has always been a potent force in times of war.

'Operation Auger' will be available from October 31 at all good bookshops, courtesy of the Books Council of Wales.