Australian Military Trivia

1. Which light cruiser was lost off Western Australia in 1941l

From Quiz Royal Australian Navy in WWII

Answer: Sydney

HMAS Sydney served in the Mediterranean and was famous for sinking the Italian Cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni. She returned to Australia in 1941 and on 19 November 1941 was engaged in battle with the German raider Kormoran which resulted in both vessels sinking. None of the crew from the Sydney survived.

From Quiz Royal Australian Navy Nicknames

Answer: Bungy

'Bungy' is the nickname given to a sailor with the surname Williams. The true origin of this nickname is obscure and no one seems to know for sure however it has been in recorded use for a very long time. However there is one interesting story that originates from the time of the death of Admiral Nelson. Two Able Seamen named Williams and Edwards were tasked to obtain the brandy cask that Nelson's body was to be transported back to England in and upon discovering it was to be filled with brandy, (as well as Nelson's body,) Williams decided to ensure the barrel had a 'bung' in it so that he and Edwards could siphon off the brandy during the voyage. When the barrel was opened, Nelson's head was above the level of the brandy and had not pickled due to the quantity of brandy consumed. Williams and Edwards were flogged for their crime and Williams became synonymous for the 'Bung.' Another possibility is that it was named after a sailor having a 'Full Bung.' This relates to a type of purse sailors stowed their money in the days before wallets. There is obscure speculation there was a 'Williams' who was generous with his money.

From Quiz Australian Military (General)

Answer: Self Loading Rifle

Much heavier rifle than the M16 used by the US troops but this was an advantage in close quarter combat using the heavy butt as a battering weapon.

From Quiz AAFC

Answer: Australian Air Force Cadets

The AAFC (Australian Air Force Cadets) have more squadrons in Australia then real Air Force bases.

From Quiz Join the Australian Army!

Answer: Sir

It is polite to refer to anyone as "Sir", however any Officer in the Australian Army should be respectfully referred to as "Sir". If your Commander is female, the correct response would be "Ma'am".

From Quiz Australia in World War II

Answer: Several hours later

Australia was part of the British Empire and felt a duty of loyalty to the "Mother Country", so some hours after Britain declared war on Germany, Australia followed suit.

From Quiz Australian Navy 1

Answer: His/Her Majesty's Australian Ship

As Australia is a part of the Commonwealth, we serve the British Monarch. Ergo, His or Her Majesty's Australian Ship (depending on whether the monarch is male or female).

From Quiz Australian Victoria Cross Recipients

Answer: 18 yrs 9 mths

He won his V.C on the night of 25-26 June 1916 France, whilst out gathering wounded soldiers under fire he nearly had his arm blown off, having returned to his lines to gain assistance. He then returned to find those who he had been helping when he was injured, he found one and on return he was treated for his own injuries which resulted in his arm being amputated.

From Quiz The Australian Special Air Service

Answer: 12, the Aus SASR was created in 1957

The Australian Special Air Service Regiment was raised in Western Australia, 1957 with 53 servicemen!

From Quiz Australian Military

Answer: Vietnam

From Quiz Royal Australian Navy in WWII

Answer: Scrap Iron Flotilla

The Scrap Iron Flotilla was a name given to the five RAN destroyers, HMA Ships Stuart, Voyager, Vendetta, Vampire and Waterhen when they were serving in the Mediterranean. The ships were V&W class destroyers built during WWI and given to the RAN by the RN in the 1930s.

From Quiz Royal Australian Navy Nicknames

Answer: Ned

'Ned' is the nickname given to a sailor with the surname Kelly and it is named after the famous Irish/Australian bushranger, Ned Kelly. Ned Kelly was born in Victoria, Australia in 1854. His father, Red Kelly was a former convict born in Ireland and his mother was the daughter of a Victorian farmer. In 1869 at the age of 14, Ned Kelly was arrested for the alleged assault on a Chinese immigrant. The charge was later dropped but this was the start of Ned's trouble with the law. A string of minor offences, some proven and others not, culminated in Ned Kelly (along with other gang members,) being responsible for the deaths of three policemen at Stringybark Creek. Kelly and his gang, now outlaws and on the run, committed two bank robberies before being tracked down at Glenrowan where Police laid siege to the Glenrowan Inn where the Kelly gang were hiding. At dawn, Kelly confronted the police wearing the armour he is now famous for before being wounded and captured. The remainder of the Kelly gang died at the inn. Ned Kelly was hanged at the Melbourne Gaol on 11 November 1880 and was immortalised with his final words which were, 'Such is life.' Ned Kelly is an important part of Australia's culture and to some, is considered an anti-establishment hero.

From Quiz Australian Military (General)

Answer: Perth

Two Blackhawk Helicopters collided on a training flight several years ago and about a dozen SAS soldiers died.

From Quiz Join the Australian Army!

Answer: Canteen

While the other options may be useful, a canteen full of water is vital to ensure you are well hydrated at all times.

From Quiz Australia in World War II

Answer: Singapore

Singapore, which had been modernized at great expense in 1937-39, was Britain's "guarantee" to Australia. If war came close to the continent, then British navy would defend its "daughter" country. The fall of Singapore was significant as it left Australia dangerously exposed to attack from Japan.

From Quiz Australian Navy 2

Answer: Sub Lieutenant

The "Midi" or Midshipman is where all the new seat polishers start out. However not a commissioned officer yet. A "Subi" or Sub Lieutenant is one rank up from a Midi and is commissioned. And the Lieutenant is one more rank up from that. The Petty Officer is a non commissioned officer, so he works for a living and is addressed as P.O. and not sir.

From Quiz Australian Victoria Cross Recipients

Answer: 96

6 were won in the Boer War (South Africa 1899-1902), 64 in WW1 (1914-1918), 2 in North Russia(1919), 20 in WW2 (1939-1945), and 4 in Viet Nam (1962-1972).

From Quiz Royal Australian Navy in WWII

Answer: Japan

HMAS Yarra was sunk in March 1942 when the convoy she was escorting was attacked by a Japanese force of Cruisers and Destroyers. Only 13 of the 151 onboard were rescued.

From Quiz Royal Australian Navy Nicknames

Answer: Smouch or Smudge

'Smouch or Smudge' is a nickname given to a sailor with the surname Smith. 'Smudge' originated in the British armed forces and was used often in both the Australian and British navies. 'Smouch' is now used predominantly in the RAN. The word 'Smouch' is derived from the word 'Smutch,' which is a dark soil or stain such as on the face, hence a 'Smudge.' In the days of steam and coal powered vessels, ship's stokers, and also blacksmiths, who worked with coal would most likely suffer from facial smudges. 'Smouch' could also be related to counterfeit tea that was made in England in the seventeenth century as imported tea was very expensive. This locally produced tea was known as 'Smouch.' Although the link between Smouch and Smith is tenuous, it could be that the first two letters, 'SM,' were used as a link between the two words.

From Quiz Australian Military (General)

Answer: Sergeant

The rank of Warrant officer is sometimes wrongly described as the highest "non-commissioned rank". He is designated an Officer by Warrant (hence the name), rather than by Commission or by virtue of seniority (in the case of NCOs), so actually he is neither "Commissioned" nor "Non-Commissioned". The Sergeant is the Senior Non Commissioned Officer in the Army (hence the abbreviated term SNCO) and included Staff Sergeants before this rank disappeared.

From Quiz AAFC

Answer: Air Cadet

Air Cadet is the lowest rank anyone can start out as. After 6 months or maybe a year, you will be promoted to LAC (Leading Air Cadet).

From Quiz Australia in World War II

Answer: A combination of these

The fall of Singapore left Australia vulnerable to the Japanese. The attack on Pearl Harbour by the Japanese brought the USA into WWII, and so Australia saw them as a "fresh" source of help. The bombing of Darwin brought the Second World War to the Australian homeland, so they looked to America.

From Quiz Australian Navy 2

Answer: A high pitched whistle

The big bald guy with whip in hand went out of fashion some time ago. The high pitched whistle is made from a couple of aeroplane style engines. After a year or so you start to get used to the noise.

From Quiz Australian Navy 1

Answer: U.S.A.

The Australian guided missile frigate (or as it is simply called- FFG) is an Oliver Hazzard Perry class frigate. The normal interpretation of FFG from a sailor's point of view was always "(flipping) fast gunboat".

From Quiz Australian Victoria Cross Recipients

Answer: Lieutenant-Colonel

Lt-Col C.G.W Anderson was not only the highest ranking V.C winner, but also the oldest, earning his award at 44 yrs 11 mths. He won his V.C whilst leading a Brigade in a fighting withdrawal against the Japanese in Malaya in WW2.

From Quiz Australian Military

Answer: North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

From Quiz Royal Australian Navy in WWII

Answer: Heavy Cruiser

HMAS Australia II was a County class heavy cruiser and was commissioned in 1928. She served throughout World War II in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres. In 1944 and 1945 she was hit several times by kamikazes which caused suffered damage and casualties including the death of her Captain. She survived WWII and was scrapped in the 1950s.

From Quiz Royal Australian Navy Nicknames

Answer: Spike

'Spike' is a very common nickname for Jones's, not just in the Royal Australian Navy and other navies of the world. The nickname most likely originates as a reference to Lindley Armstrong Jones who was a musician and band leader in the middle of the twentieth century. Jones was known for his satire and parodies of popular music of the time. He was nicknamed 'Spike,' because he was likened to 'being as thin as a railroad spike'. His father worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad and this is where the reference probably originated.

From Quiz Australian Military (General)

Answer: Melbourne

All of the names in the question are actual towns or cities in Australia. The Melbourne sank 2 of its escort destroyers in its career. One was the USS Evans. It was cynically called the Australian Submarine Launcher after these 2 unfortunate incidents. The Australian navy has not had a new carrier since the Melbourne was decommissioned. It now concentrates on missile frigates and submarines.

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Last Updated Dec 21 2024 5:51 AM

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