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British Paras in WWII Trivia Quiz

These are some common and not so common questions about the British Airborne forces in WWII.

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

Author
beterave

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
325,580

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
588

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What nickname did the British Paras receive in WWII? Hint

Blue Devils

Red Devils

Green Devils

White Devils

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Question 2 of 10

2. How did the British air-landing brigade land in battle in WWII? Hint

by jet airliner

by glider

by foot

by land transport

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Question 3 of 10

3. What specialized uniform part did the British Para receive apart from the 'poor bloody infantry'? Hint

a lightweight BDU

the SAS windproof

the Dennison smock

there was nothing special isssued

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Question 4 of 10

4. Where did the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion receive its jump training? Hint

RAF Ringway, England

It was airlanded, so it received no jump training

CFB Shilo, Manitoba

Ft Benning, USA

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Question 5 of 10

5. How long was glider pilot training in WWII? Hint

one year

12 weeks

30 weeks

4 weeks

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Question 6 of 10

6. During D-Day, what were the code words that signaled a successful capture of the bridges over the Orne River and Caen Canal? Hint

bread and butter

steak and eggs

ham and jam

tea and biscuits

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was the primary task of the 22nd Independent Parachute Company at Normandy? Hint

spying

they were pathfinders

mine clearing

radio and dispatch

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Question 8 of 10

8. Why did the British ignore the report of the presence of two SS Panzer Divisions in the Arnhem vicinty? Hint

they distrusted the Dutch Underground

they believed the Panzer Divisions to be elsewhere

they were never informed

aerial reconnaisance failed to prove this

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Question 9 of 10

9. When or what was Operation Pegasus? Hint

during the Normandy Campaign

to rescue trapped paras after Arnhem

a part of Operation Varsity

before Operation Husky

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Question 10 of 10

10. What was last airborne operation of WWII conducted by British and US forces? Hint

Operation Plunder

Operation Varsity

Operation Overlord

Operation Husky

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What nickname did the British Paras receive in WWII?

Answer: Red Devils

The British Paras received the nickname Red Devils not because of maroon beret they wore, but because they were covered in red dust when they encountered the Germans in North Africa.

2. How did the British air-landing brigade land in battle in WWII?

Answer: by glider

The air-landing brigade would land in battle by military glider, namely, the Horsa Glider.

3. What specialized uniform part did the British Para receive apart from the 'poor bloody infantry'?

Answer: the Dennison smock

The camouflage Dennison smock along with the para helmet were the only two pieces of uniform and equipment that made the para stand apart from the line infantry.

4. Where did the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion receive its jump training?

Answer: Ft Benning, USA

When the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was formed in July 1942, it received its jump training at Fort Benning Georgia, USA. The battalion was later assigned to the British 6th Airborne Division.

5. How long was glider pilot training in WWII?

Answer: 30 weeks

Upon acceptance by the RAF, the candidate was given a qualification after successfully completing a 12 week course in piloting light aircraft, followed by another 12 weeks in the Hotspur glider. After that, he finished up with a 6 week course on the Horsa Glider; a total of of 30 weeks to earn the coveted 'Glider Pilot' cap badge and shoulder title.

6. During D-Day, what were the code words that signaled a successful capture of the bridges over the Orne River and Caen Canal?

Answer: ham and jam

The code words given by Major Howard at 0016 June 6th were ham and jam. That signaled that both bridges had been taken intact.

7. What was the primary task of the 22nd Independent Parachute Company at Normandy?

Answer: they were pathfinders

The primary role of the 22nd Independent Parachute Company was to act as pathfinders. Pathfinders land in advance of the main body, secure the drop zones and mark a path for the main force.

8. Why did the British ignore the report of the presence of two SS Panzer Divisions in the Arnhem vicinty?

Answer: they distrusted the Dutch Underground

Operation Market Garden proceeded despite the fact that it was a known fact, revealed by the aerial reconnaisance, that the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions were refitting around Arnhem. The mission went underway because the British believed the Dutch Underground to be compromised with double agents.

The British High Command was so convinced the operation would have a high degree of success, that the aerial recon revealing the presence of the two armoured formations was played down.

9. When or what was Operation Pegasus?

Answer: to rescue trapped paras after Arnhem

Operation Pegasus was the rescue of surviving paras of the 6th Airborne Division after the Battle of Arnhem. One hundred and thirty eight men were rescued and brought across the Rhine River.

10. What was last airborne operation of WWII conducted by British and US forces?

Answer: Operation Varsity

Operation Varsity, undertaken by the US 17th Airborne Division along with the British 6th Airborne Division, was the last large scale airborne operation of WWII.

Source: Author beterave

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