"Major Martin" Goes to War
After Commander Montagu and his colleagues had been given the approval for 
their dangerous escapade, they encountered manifold problems. First, they 
conducted an assiduous search for a dead body which looked as though it had
recently been killed in an airplane disaster. Then, a detailed history of 
the man had to be invented which would so impeccable that the enemy would 
accept its authenticity. This meant documents, love letters, personal effects,
keys, and photographs, etc. Each step was fraught with difficulty. But the
schemers were unbelievably resourceful. As a result, in late spring of 1942,
"Major Martin" was prepared to do his part for his country.

to put the cart before the horse--My assistant was so eager to get the job
done that he often put the cart before the horse.
(to reverse the proper order, do things backwards)