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The Fall of France, 1940 Trivia Quiz

Many factors contributed to the fall of France. This quiz is about some of them.

A multiple-choice quiz by beterave. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
beterave

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
331,401

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
779

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which WWI battle shaped French defence policy the during the years prior to the Second World War? Hint

the Nivelle Offensive

Verdun

the Battle of the Somme

the Ypres battles

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Question 2 of 10

2. What did the French government do prior to WWII in order to prevent the Germans from invading France again ? Hint

bring in soldiers from its colonies

improve its navy

construct the Maginot Line

implement conscription

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which nation had the most tanks and armoured fighting vehicles prior to the invasion of France in 1940? Hint

Britain

France

Germany

Belguim

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Question 4 of 10

4. What was the period between the invasion of Poland and the campaign in the West better known as? Hint

the Phoney War

the Silly War

the Waiting War

the Silent War

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the German codename for the invasion of the Low Countries called? Hint

Case Blue

Case Yellow

Case Orange

Case Red

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which German general presented the plan for an armoured breakthrough by way of the Ardennes? Hint

Von Manstein

Halder

Guderian

Von Rundstedt

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was the German codename for the main attack on France after the conquest of the Low Countries? Hint

Case White

Case Green

Case Red

Case Blue

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Question 8 of 10

8. What was the German combined use of air, armour, artillery and infantry known as? Hint

Rapid War

New War

Total War

Lightning War

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Question 9 of 10

9. What unfortunate incident initiated the German breakthrough at Sedan on 13th of May? Hint

inexplicable panic

a rumour

misinterpreted orders

fleeing civilians

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Question 10 of 10

10. Where was the armistice that ended hostilities signed? Hint

Versailles

Paris

Compiegne

Nancy

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which WWI battle shaped French defence policy the during the years prior to the Second World War?

Answer: Verdun

Verdun and its horrors were ingrained in the soul of France. Almost 500,000 battle casualties and the mutiny of its army, along with distrust of Germany, shaped defense policy after the Great War.

2. What did the French government do prior to WWII in order to prevent the Germans from invading France again ?

Answer: construct the Maginot Line

Prior to WWII, the French government poured millions of francs into the construction of a formidable defensive barrier known as the Maginot Line. This defensive barrier was built to disuade German aggression and give the nation time to mobilize in event of hostilities.

3. Which nation had the most tanks and armoured fighting vehicles prior to the invasion of France in 1940?

Answer: France

France actually had more tanks and armored fighting vehicles than Germany prior to hostilities. The flaw in their armoured philosphy was to use them in support of the infantry, whereas the Germans used the panzers as an armoured spearhead.

4. What was the period between the invasion of Poland and the campaign in the West better known as?

Answer: the Phoney War

The interlude between actual hostilities in the West is also known as the Bore War, the Joke War and the Strange War. However, it is most commonly known as the Phoney War.

5. What was the German codename for the invasion of the Low Countries called?

Answer: Case Yellow

'Fall Gelb' or Case Yellow was the codename for the German invasion of the Low Countries. It called for the occupation of Belguim, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

6. Which German general presented the plan for an armoured breakthrough by way of the Ardennes?

Answer: Von Manstein

General Erich von Manstein submitted a plan that was a substitute for Halder's plan which called for a breakthrough in the secluded and lightly defended Ardennes as opposed to an attempt at Sedan.

7. What was the German codename for the main attack on France after the conquest of the Low Countries?

Answer: Case Red

'Fall Rot', or Case Red called for military operations on France after the conquest of the Low Countries.

8. What was the German combined use of air, armour, artillery and infantry known as?

Answer: Lightning War

The concept of Blitzkrieg or Lightning War was nothing anyone had seen before. Rapid armoured breakthroughs preceded by massive air assaults left the BEF and the French unable to mount a cohesive battle plan. (Arguably, the campaign against Poland in September 1939 had used a broadly comparable approach. However, it had not been carefully examined by the French and British military).

9. What unfortunate incident initiated the German breakthrough at Sedan on 13th of May?

Answer: a rumour

The rumour that German armoured formations had crossed the Meuse caused a panic. This was classic 'tank fright'. Units began to withdraw without orders from higher authority; from there the rout was on.

10. Where was the armistice that ended hostilities signed?

Answer: Compiegne

The armistice that ended hostilities between Germany and France was signed at Compiegne. Compiegne was the exact location where the armistice was signed that ended the First World War.

On Hitler's orders the armistice was signed in same rail carriage that had been used for the German armistice of November 1918. Archive footage and eyewitnesses indicate a delighted, thigh-slapping Hitler. Whether he actually danced a little jig or not is disputed.

Source: Author beterave

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