Have Magicians Or ‘magic Tricks’ Ever Been Used In War Or Espionage?

Looking at some of the stuff acheivable by today’s magicians – David Copperfield, Derren Brown, David Blaine etc – and thinking of some of the feats acheived by Houdini, is anyone aware of any such talents being put to use in warfare or espionage?
I know they’re not really doing magic, but the amazing things some magicians can do, and the illusions they can create, would suggest to me they’d have some form of military use, even if simply to confuse the enemy (though standing in front of a hostile army and pulling a rabbit from a hat probably wouldn’t quite be enough). But imagine, for example, a building that troops were approaching to attack suddenly seeming to disappear, or a document given to an agent turning out to be an entirely different document when he’s got it back to base.
Anyone know of any real life incidences or applications of this?

Have Magicians Or ‘magic Tricks’ Ever Been Used In War Or Espionage?

Looking at some of the stuff acheivable by today’s magicians – David Copperfield, Derren Brown, David Blaine etc – and thinking of some of the feats acheived by Houdini, is anyone aware of any such talents being put to use in warfare or espionage?
I know they’re not really doing magic, but the amazing things some magicians can do, and the illusions they can create, would suggest to me they’d have some form of military use, even if simply to confuse the enemy (though standing in front of a hostile army and pulling a rabbit from a hat probably wouldn’t quite be enough). But imagine, for example, a building that troops were approaching to attack suddenly seeming to disappear, or a document given to an agent turning out to be an entirely different document when he’s got it back to base.
Anyone know of any real life incidences or applications of this?

Have Magicians Or ‘magic Tricks’ Ever Been Used In War Or Espionage?

Looking at some of the stuff acheivable by today’s magicians – David Copperfield, Derren Brown, David Blaine etc – and thinking of some of the feats acheived by Houdini, is anyone aware of any such talents being put to use in warfare or espionage?
I know they’re not really doing magic, but the amazing things some magicians can do, and the illusions they can create, would suggest to me they’d have some form of military use, even if simply to confuse the enemy (though standing in front of a hostile army and pulling a rabbit from a hat probably wouldn’t quite be enough). But imagine, for example, a building that troops were approaching to attack suddenly seeming to disappear, or a document given to an agent turning out to be an entirely different document when he’s got it back to base.
Anyone know of any real life incidences or applications of this?