Land War in Asia Trivia Quiz

Answer: Before 1914

This battle was considerably earlier than most in the quiz, dating from 326 BC. It was fought between Alexander the Great and King Porus of the region now known as the Punjab, in Pakistan. The name comes from the Greek name for the river Jhelum, which runs through India, the Kashmir region and into Pakistan.

Porus, also spelled as Poros, fought valiantly to protect his territory from the Macedonians, but Alexander took the risk of crossing a flooded river to outflank his opponent. Alexander and his forces won the battle, but at a high cost with some sources saying as many as 1,000 men were lost on the Macedonian side alone. Alexander treated Porus with respect, in recognition of the bravery shown, and allowed Porus to retain his land and position.

Although Alexander continued as far as the Indus, his army was tired of fighting and the battle was the last of his incursion into the Indian sub-continent.

Answer: Before 1914

The battle took place on 23 July 1839, at the beginning of the first Anglo-Afghan War. The British in India, fearing an attack by Russia through Afghanistan, invaded the country with a mixture of troops. These comprised British soldiers stationed in India and native troops. The Battle of Ghuznee led to a victory for the invaders, who went on to occupy Kabul, although consolidating this initial victory became impossible.

Eventually, an uprising forced the troops out of Kabul, with the ensuing retreat, in 1842, sometimes called the Massacre of Elphinstone's army, resulting in most of the army (and the civilians accompanying them) being annihilated. The deaths were caused by a combination of the weather conditions, leading to frostbite, starvation and exposure and unrelenting attacks by the Afghans.

Answer: Before 1914

This battle was a land battle which led to the First Sino-Japanese war and took place on 29 July 1894. The war was fought between the Chinese Qing dynasty and Japan, who were led at the time by Emperor Meiji, for control of Korea. The war ended in 1895 with victory to Japan.

The Battle of Seonghwan is also known as the Battle of Asan, as it was the major Chinese stronghold outside the city. Korea had requested the help of Japan in removing the Chinese from their territory, and Japan was also concerned about China expanding its territory and threatening Japan's security. Japan's tactics were superior to those of the Chinese forces and they won the battle and took Asan, which the Chinese had abandoned following their defeat at Seonghwan.

Answer: World War I

While most of the well known battles of the First World War took place on European soil, there were some in Asia, and the Siege of Tsingtao was one of them. It began on 15 August 1914 and lasted until 7 November the same year. Britain had formed an alliance with the Japanese in 1902 as the German presence in Asia was seen as a threat.

When Japan decided to attack the German naval base at Tsingtao, in China, the British also became involved both to remove the Germans and to ensure their ally, Japan, did not become just as big a problem. The Japanese use of bombardment and trench warfare had an influence on British tactics on the Western Front. The Germans eventually surrendered, and the British forces left Japan in control of the port - it reverted to China in 1922.

Answer: World War I

Taking place on 11 September 1914, the fighting was between Australian troops and those of Germany on the island of New Britain. The main target of the Australians was the radio station set up by the Germans in German New Guinea. This provided invaluable information to the German fleet, which made it a danger.

Australia was automatically involved in the war as part of the British Empire (at that time) and was tasked with the destruction of the radio station and others in the region. The Australian forces were far more numerous than the defenders and the battle was won with relatively light casualties. The Germans retreated to another island, which resulted in the Siege of Toma and another Australian victory.

Answer: World War I

This battle involved the Russian Empire versus the Ottoman Empire, who was assisted by the German Empire, and took place between 22 December 1914 and 17 January 1915 - Russia was the victor. The battle, fought in winter and severe weather conditions, is commonly described as the worst defeat suffered by the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. The war, and being on the losing side, led to the downfall of the Ottomans.

The main reasons for the Ottoman loss were the conditions and poor leadership, but the blame was placed on the Armenians' treachery, which led eventually to the Armenian genocide.

Answer: World War II

Perhaps better known as the Fall of Singapore, this battle took place between 8 and 15 February 1942 when the Japanese defeated the British army which had been left to defend Singapore. The Japanese prepared by bombing the British airfields (on the same day as they attacked Pearl Harbour), eliminating air defences. They also destroyed the naval ships sent to protect Singapore.

Britain also expected an attack to come from sea, and were taken by surprise when Japan actually invaded via the Malayan peninsula. The speed, and ferocity, of the Japanese attack overwhelmed the British army and Singapore fell in only a few days.

Answer: World War II

Lasting for two days between 19 and 20 December 1943, the battle was fought in New Guinea between Japan and Australian and American soldiers. It was part of a campaign which lasted until April 1944, with Kaiapit being the opening battle of the offensive.

Both Japan and the Allies were aware of the strategic importance of New Guinea, and the Allies were intent on building airfields on the island. The success of the initial battle, against a larger number of Japanese forces, led to the capture of the Allies' objectives and the withdrawal of the Japanese.

Answer: World War II

Lasting from 9 January 1945 - 15 August 1945, this battle was fought in the Philippines between US forces, supported by Australians, Mexicans, and the Commonwealth of the Philippines, against the Japanese and the puppet government they had set up and named the Second Philippine Republic.

Luzon, the largest island of the Philippines, had been captured by the Japanese in 1942 and its location meant that retaking it was vital. It was here that General Douglas MacArthur made his famous vow to return, which he did as leader of the 1945 forces. The main battle for Luzon was over by March, but many Japanese soldiers continued resistance until the surrender of Japan in August. In fact, many refused to believe the war was over and sent on fighting long after the official end .

Answer: After 1945

Part of the Korean War, this battle took place from 22 to 25 April 1951. It involved troops from the United Nations, including the UK, Belgium, South Korea, Philippines and Luxembourg versus the Chinese Peoples Volunteer Army (PVA). The Chinese attacked the UN forces as part of their Spring Offensive.

The battle is remembered in Britain as it saw the near annihilation of the 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (Glosters), who were isolated on a hill and surrounded by Chinese troops. The battle is sometimes known as the Battle of Gloster Hill to reflect this. The battle was inconclusive, although the Chinese advance was halted before they reached their objective of capturing Seoul.

Answer: After 1945

This took place in 1959 and is also called the Tibetan Uprising, among other names. China had annexed Tibet in 1950, claiming it as a province - a situation which still exists in 2023. Resistance to what was seen as a Chinese occupation, and fears for the safety of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, led to the uprising. The Norbulinka Palace was surrounded by around 300,000 loyalists, mostly unarmed, who were shelled by the Chinese with a huge loss of life.

The Dalai Lama escaped to India, with many of his followers, and is considered to govern Tibet in exile by his supporters. China responded by executing his bodyguards and has continued to suppress any opposition to its rule.

Answer: After 1945

Part of the Vietnam War, the Battle, or Siege, of Hue, took place between 31 January and 2 March 1968, when American and South Vietnamese forces were victorious against North Vietnam and the Viet Cong.

The North Vietnamese had launched the Tet Offensive on 30 January, and Hue was one of their targets. American marines were sent to help drive out the North Vietnamese and fighting continued for over a month in the streets of the city. Although they were eventually successful, and Hue is considered a victory for the Americans, it was at a huge cost and is described as the bloodiest battle of the Vietnam War. Many civilians died during the fighting, and the American people turned against continued American involvement in the region.

The war eventually ended, for the USA, with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973 although fighting continued until the eventual fall of Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City, in 1975.