Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. In the US War Between The States, the commerce raider CSS Alabama was at Cherbourg France. The USS Kearsarge engaged the Alabama. What failure kept the Kearsarge in the fight, allowing her to defeat the Alabama?
2. The scene is the Battle of Gettysburg. Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain is in command of the 20th Maine volunteer infantry regiment, strength about 300 men. His brigade commander has advised him he is the left flank of the entire Army of the Potomac. His position on Little Round Top must be held, no retreat, no surrender. After defending several attacks his troops are nearly out of ammunition. He orders a bayonet charge. It was successful in holding the flank. Before this order was given, Chamberlain was shot but only mildly wounded. What kept this shot from seriously wounding or killing him?
3. In WWII, during the Battle of Midway, US dive bombers were running low on fuel and about to abandon an attack because they could not find the Japanese carrier task force. They spotted a lone Japanese destroyer traveling at high speed. Why had this destroyer left its task force, only to show the attacking bombers in which direction the aircraft carriers were?
4. At the battle of Agincourt, which English King's helmet was pierced by a Frenchman's weapon, knocking off his crown?
5. 331 BC. Alexander the Great is warring with the Persians. When Alexander's left flank broke, the Persians moved in to take the Macedonian camp (the center of supply). Badly outnumbered, Alexander sought out the Persian commander on chariot. At close range, Alexander hurled a javelin, missing the Persian leader, but striking the chariot driver behind him. Other Persians mistook the fallen driver for their commander and began to flee. Alexander won. Who commanded the Persians, and was later assassinated by one of his own generals?
6. Dunkirk, France 1940. A massive seaborne evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force as well as French and Belgian forces takes place. Nearly defeated by Wehrmacht forces, these troops patiently wait their turn to board all manner of boats sent from England to evacuate them. Though unable to save any equipment other than small arms, these battle experienced soldiers will live to fight another day. Over the course of nine days, about how many allied soldiers make it to England via boat?
7. The French and Indian War, part of the Seven Years' War. British General Braddock was intent on taking Fort Duquesne, in what later will be known as Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. After an attack by French forces with Indian allies, Braddock is mortally wounded. One of his aides, a former colonel with the Virginia militia, has two horses shot out from under him and four bullet holes in his coat. This volunteer aide de camp led survivors away from the battle back toward British territory. Who was this aide and future founding father of the United States of America?
8. The German battleship Bismarck, along with the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, have just engaged HMS Hood and HMS Prince of Wales. The Hood explodes and sinks, taking all but three hands with her. The Prince of Wales retreats. The Bismarck suffers an oil leak and heads toward occupied France for repairs. Just before the Bismarck reaches the safety of Luftwaffe air cover, what Royal Navy element cripples her?
9. In 1865 in the War Between the States McNeil's Rangers, a unit made up of veteran Virginia cavalry, raids Cumberland, Maryland. In the night, without firing a shot, 65 rangers capture Union Major General George Crook and Brigadier General Benjamin Kelly. They escape town, avoid pursuit and deliver the prisoners to Confederate General Jubal Early. Two other officers were quartered in the same area in which Crook and Kelly were captured. They were Brigadier General Hayes and Major McKinley. What office would they each later hold?
10. WWII, the Battle of Leyte Gulf - the Battle off Samar. US Admiral Halsey has taken the bulk of his forces north, to destroy what is left of Japan's aircraft carrier forces. However, this is only bait for Halsey, as these carriers have few planes and only green pilots. The Japanese "Center Force" built around the super-battleship Yamato and her nine 18" guns, along with three additional battleships and several cruisers and destroyers engages a small force called "Taffy 3", whose mission was supporting ground forces invading the Philippines. Taffy 3 was never meant to battle opposing warships, other than submarines. One ship from Taffy 3 goes on the offensive. Even though his move is suicidal, Captain Ernest Evans turns his ship directly at Admiral Kurita's force and attacks, crippling a heavy cruiser. What type of vessel did Evans command?
Source: Author
pointluck
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bloomsby before going online.
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