Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. One of the main reasons Britain became involved in the Mediterranean was to protect its oil supplies from the Middle East and its route to Asia. What was Britain's route to Asia?
2. In September 1940 an Italian invasion was launched in North Africa. Although massively outnumbered, the British counter attacked in December pushing the Italians back 400 miles. Who commanded the British army in this counter attack?
3. In desert warfare, it was difficult to maintain advances due to supply lines becoming stretched. As a result, both sides (British and Axis powers) made several successful advances followed by huge retreats. Once the Italians had been pushed back in late 1940, the German army, led by Rommel, became involved in North Africa. The British army was pushed back to the Egyptian border by April 1941. As well as the initiative of Rommel, this was caused by Churchill's decision to remove troops from North Africa. Where were these troops sent?
4. Churchill was criticised for his decision to remove British troops in April as it was believed that it created a missed opportunity to win the campaign in North Africa. British troops were later removed again to Singapore. However, before this the British army had success in a winter offensive (1941), pushing the German army back 340 miles. Who commanded the British army in this advance?
5. A sign of determined British and Commonwealth resistance to Nazi forces in North Africa was Tobruk in Libya, which the British and Australians managed to hold even when the rest of the army was pushed back several hundred miles by the Germans. However, the port was eventually surrendered. When?
6. The fighting spirit of the British army and the loss of Tobruk were amongst the reasons for US sympathy. However, Britain itself was able to prevent further advances of the German army. At which battle did the British make this defiant stand under the command of Montgomery?
7. In November 1942, there was also a joint US/British invasion of Morocco and Algeria which was intended to surround the German army, forcing surrender. This invasion provided vital practice for the amphibious landings which were to occur on D-Day. What was the codename for this invasion?
8. The victory at El Alamein helped Churchill persuade Roosevelt at a conference in Casablanca (January 1943) to continue with the Mediterranean campaign. Following this, a joint offensive was launched in July 1943, led by Montgomery and Patton. Which Mediterranean island did they invade?
9. The invasion of mainland Italy began in September 1943, but the fighting soon became bogged down due to the mountainous terrain and its defensive advantages for the German army. What was the name of the defensive line which the German army formed 30 miles north of Naples?
10. Churchill believed victory in the war would come through the invasion of Italy. He was wrong. However, there were some major events caused by the invasion of Italy which benefitted the Allies. These included the removal of Mussolini from power, which significantly lowered the fighting force of the Axis powers. In which month was Mussolini initially removed from power?
Source: Author
doublemm
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bloomsby before going online.
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