French Build a Replica Paris to Fool Germans in World War I

From the Daily Mail.

An incredibly-detailed second Paris was built at the end of World War I to fool German bombers who they hoped would be fooled into destroying the fake one.  It was built on the northern outskirts of Paris in the Maisons-Laffitte area, about fifteen miles from the city centre and on the Seine River and was a project of the French Army.  Very little is known about it and it included many bright lights.

The electrical engineer of the project was designer Ferrand Jacopazzi who would later get fame for illuminating the Eiffel Tower.

At the time, the Germans were using long-range Gotha bombers where a crew member would hold a small bomb by its fins and drop it over the side.

The last German air raid on Paris was September 1918, while the project was not yet finished.

Paris, however, was largely unscathed in both wars.

Poor London didn't do as well in either war.  In June 1917, it was severely damaged by Gotha bombers with 162 killed (46 at a kindergarten).  Up to 500 were injured.   Part of the reason for the high casulaties was that it was a novel thing and large crowds had gathered to watch the attack.

Bombing Civilians During World War I?  Where Would This Go?  --DaCoot