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Italy: The Forgotten Campaign Trivia Quiz

This quiz is about the key battles and operations that knocked Italy out of the war.

A multiple-choice quiz by beterave. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
beterave

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
336,779

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
390

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What was the Allied code name for the operation to invade Sicily? Hint

Operation Husky

Operation Shoestring

Operation Galvanic

Operation Bootlace

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Question 2 of 10

2. Why is Major William Martin, Royal Marines, the most important 'man who never was'? Hint

he torpedoed a ship carrying Italian reinforcements

he completely fooled the Germans about Allied intentions

he was a double agent for the Abwehr

he was an Italian spy

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Question 3 of 10

3. Sicily was the first action for the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. What did it lack going into Italy? Hint

enough staff officers

acclimation

logistical support

radio equipment

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Question 4 of 10

4. The main invasion by land forces in mainland Italy was around Salerno. What was that operation called? Hint

Operation Rockies

Operation Crystal

Operation Toehold

Operation Avalanche

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Question 5 of 10

5. Salerno was almost a German victory. What gave the Germans the advantage in this battle? Hint

they had better artillery

they could reinforce the bridgehead faster

they had air superiority

their allies fought harder

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Question 6 of 10

6. What exactly is a 'goumier'? Hint

a Frenchman fighting for the Italians

a Moroccan soldier

an Italian partisan

an Algerian conscript

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was the objective beyond Monte Cassino? Hint

Naples

Rome

Milan

Genoa

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Question 8 of 10

8. The landings at Anzio was an attempt to flank the Gustav Line. What was this operation known as? Hint

Operation Shingle

Operation Shiner

Operation Bypss

Operation Breakout

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Question 9 of 10

9. General Lucas wanted to consolidate his bridgehead at Anzio before a drive to Rome. What happened instead? Hint

the Italians changed sides

the German reaction was swift

Lucas made the correct choice

the Germans were equally slow to react

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Question 10 of 10

10. Anzio was a missed opportunity to seize Rome. Who replaced General Lucas as commander? Hint

General Smith

General Clark

General Truscott

General Middleton

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was the Allied code name for the operation to invade Sicily?

Answer: Operation Husky

Operation Husky was the Allied code name for the invasion of Sicily. It was the beginning of the end of a Fascist dictatorship in Italy.

2. Why is Major William Martin, Royal Marines, the most important 'man who never was'?

Answer: he completely fooled the Germans about Allied intentions

The body of Major William Martin completely fooled the Germans into thinking the main Allied effort was to be Greece and Sardinia, not Sicily. The fake documents he was carrying completely duped the Germans. This deceptive operation was known as 'Operation Mincemeat'. Full details can be seen in the book, 'The Man Who Never Was'.

3. Sicily was the first action for the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. What did it lack going into Italy?

Answer: acclimation

The 1st Canadian Infantry Division trained for three years in England before being deployed for the Sicily operation. It was not prepared for operations in Southern Europe. The infantry suffered badly because of the heat.

4. The main invasion by land forces in mainland Italy was around Salerno. What was that operation called?

Answer: Operation Avalanche

The operation to invade Italy by US forces around Salerno was known as Operation Avalanche. The US 36th Infantry Division was to be the spearhead the operation.

5. Salerno was almost a German victory. What gave the Germans the advantage in this battle?

Answer: they could reinforce the bridgehead faster

Salerno was almost a German victory because they could send reinforcements to the bridgehead faster than the Allies. A stubborn defense by the 16th Panzer Division allowed this to happen.

6. What exactly is a 'goumier'?

Answer: a Moroccan soldier

Moroccan goumiers were soldiers used by the Allies in the Italian Campaign, They specialized in night raiding operations and had a penchant for using edged weapons.

7. What was the objective beyond Monte Cassino?

Answer: Rome

Beyond the Gustav Line lay the ultimate prize of the Italian Campaign: Rome. Monte Cassino was a key position in the German defences that barred the way to Rome.

8. The landings at Anzio was an attempt to flank the Gustav Line. What was this operation known as?

Answer: Operation Shingle

The January 22, 1944 operation to flank the Gustav Line with seaborne landings was Operation Shingle.

9. General Lucas wanted to consolidate his bridgehead at Anzio before a drive to Rome. What happened instead?

Answer: the German reaction was swift

The German reaction to the landings at Anzio were swift and decisive. Kesselring moved units as rapidly to the front as possible barring a quick Allied seizure of Rome.

10. Anzio was a missed opportunity to seize Rome. Who replaced General Lucas as commander?

Answer: General Truscott

General Lucian Truscott replaced General Lucas after four weeks of bitter fighting around the Anzio Bridgehead. Eventually Rome was taken, but this was a missed opportunity.

Source: Author beterave

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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