Did navies besides the US Navy attribute phantom ships to their opponents during the Second World War?
Short answerYes; both German and British intelligence generated nonexistent or duplicated enemy ships from uncertain reporting.
NotesGerman wartime estimates sometimes invented additional Royal Navy ships to reconcile contradictory reports. Repeated claims to have sunk Ark Royal could lead to the conclusion that she must have sister ships when she appeared again. British intelligence also spent time searching for another Admiral Hipper-class cruiser that did not exist. Both examples show how an incorrect ship count could persist beyond the original report.