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Quiz about The South African Air Force WWII

The South African Air Force - WWII Quiz

This is an interesting and challenging quiz on what the South African Air Force did, achieved and contributed to, in the Second World War.

A multiple-choice quiz by jonty129. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
jonty129

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
154,654

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
705

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. At the beginning of the war Britain had difficulties providing the South African Air Force with suitable aircraft. How did the SAAF acquire suitable aircraft, namely the JU 86 and the JU 52/3m? Hint

The South African government bought the planes on the black market

The SAAF bought the planes from the German Air Force

The American Air Force sold theses planes to better the relationship between the two countries

The SAAF aquired them from the national airline, the SAA

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Question 2 of 10

2. Why was the South African Air Force different from any other Commonwealth air force during World War 2? Hint

It was the only Commonwealth Air Force which flew the Hurricane

It was the only Commonwealth Air Force not to see action over Europe

It was the only Commonwealth Air Force which took part in the Desert Battles

It was the only Commonwealth Air Force not to fly under the RAF insignia

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Question 3 of 10

3. During the invasion of what island did the SAAF support ground forces during WW2? Hint

Crete

Madagascar

Sardinia

Mauritius

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Question 4 of 10

4. The SAAF played an important role during the Battle for France and the Battle of Britain?

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which of these SAAF pilots took part in the escape from Stalag Luft III, a POW camp? Hint

Lt Mitch Mitchell

Lt L A S Waugh

Lt Staff Hope

Lt Cam McGarr

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Question 6 of 10

6. What were the major hardships the SAAF personnel had to endure during the Desert War? Hint

Slept in the open, bad sport results, several engine failures

Slept in the open, almost constantly on the move, shortage of helmets

Slept in the open, short of provisions, almost constantly on the move

Shortage of helmets and provisions, animals hiding in planes

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Question 7 of 10

7. When where the last bombs dropped by the SAAF in the African "arena"? Hint

10 June 1944

10 July 1943

11 August 1942

12 May 1943

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Question 8 of 10

8. During the war the SAAF helped supply a major uprising with weapons and food. Which uprising was it? Hint

The Warsaw Uprising

The Burma uprising

The Yugoslav uprising

The Paris uprising

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Question 9 of 10

9. Did the SAAF use rocket propelled missiles during WW2?

Yes

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Question 10 of 10

10. About how many SAAF personnel died in action during the six years of fighting in the Second World War? Hint

5250

1350

7400

2300

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: The SAAF aquired them from the national airline, the SAA

The RAF was hard pressed to equip its ally with anything worthwhile, so the SAA sold the JU 86 as a bomber, and the JU 52/3m as a transport plane, to the SAAF.

2. Why was the South African Air Force different from any other Commonwealth air force during World War 2?

Answer: It was the only Commonwealth Air Force not to fly under the RAF insignia

Instead it sported an orange, blue, white sign It was also the only Commonwealth Air Force whose name did not begin with "Royal", like the Royal Australian Air Force.

3. During the invasion of what island did the SAAF support ground forces during WW2?

Answer: Madagascar

During May 1942, Madagascar was invaded by South African Ground Forces. The SAAF supported the actions on ground with bombings and supplie drops.

4. The SAAF played an important role during the Battle for France and the Battle of Britain?

Answer: False

The SAAF only saw action over the North African Desert, Sicily, Malta, Italy and Poland - not France or Britain, although some South African pilots did fly for the RAF during this time.

5. Which of these SAAF pilots took part in the escape from Stalag Luft III, a POW camp?

Answer: Lt Cam McGarr

Lt Cam McGarr and two other SAAF pilots took part in the escape along with 50 other prisoners of war. They escaped but were later recaptured by the Gestapo and, rather than being sent back there, were executed. The other pilots are pilots of the SAAF.

6. What were the major hardships the SAAF personnel had to endure during the Desert War?

Answer: Slept in the open, short of provisions, almost constantly on the move

The SAAF was constantly on the move, either retreating or advancing, often losing an air base only to take it back two months later. They has to sleep outside in the open, during the cold desert nights and food shortages kept the men hungry.

7. When where the last bombs dropped by the SAAF in the African "arena"?

Answer: 12 May 1943

It was the SAAF's 3 Wing that dropped the last bombs in the desert battle on the 12 May 1943. After the battle for the desert most air forces which took part in this battle took time to regroup.

8. During the war the SAAF helped supply a major uprising with weapons and food. Which uprising was it?

Answer: The Warsaw Uprising

In 1944 the Red Army was a few kilometers from the outskirts of Warsaw. So the inhabitants started an uprising, expecting support from the Russians, but latter didn't help and refused to allow Allied bombers to land on Soviet territory. One of the squadrons within return range of Warsaw was an SAAF Bomber Squadron, which, without hesitation, supplied the uprising (despite heavy casualties) and some RAF squadrons and the 205 Polish Bomber Squadron.

9. Did the SAAF use rocket propelled missiles during WW2?

Answer: Yes

In the last year of fighting many SAAF squadron fighter planes were equipped with rocket proppled missiles which they use to great effect.

10. About how many SAAF personnel died in action during the six years of fighting in the Second World War?

Answer: 2300

Of 44,569 personnel, 2,319 were killed in action, 1,000 wounded, and about 280 taken prisoner. The SAAF was a vital element in defeating Erwin Rommel and taking Rome during the Italian Campaign!

Source: Author jonty129

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