The truth about 'False Flags' from Nazi ... history.co.uk Who Really Started The Reichstag Fire ... yesterday.uktv.co.uk A false flag operation is an act committed with the intent of disguising the actual source of responsibility and pinning blame on another party. The term "false flag" originated in the 16th century as an expression meaning an intentional misrepresentation of someone's allegiance. [1] [2] The term was famously used to describe a ruse in naval warfare whereby a vessel flew the flag of a neutral or enemy country in order to hide its true identity. [1] [2] [3] The tactic was originally...