Operation Leyburn

'Leyburn' was a British deception, in support of 'Barclay' and 'Starkey', using several means to convey to the Germans and Italians that they were taking measures to safeguard works on art in the areas which they were proposing to invade and take (May/August 1943).

The deception process was based on a pattern of enquiries in neutral countries to suggest a major Allied concern for the preservation of works of art and historic buildings.