D-Day: The Battle of Normandy Trivia Quiz

Answer: None of these

Military ops didn't always start on the planned date due to elements like the weather, as was the case for Overlord. By using 'D' instead of an actual date (06/06/1944), nothing would have to change if the actual date changed. Operations would still be planned on D-1 (the day before), D+2 (two days after landing) etc. There is also 'H' as in hour - H+4, H+7 etc.

Answer: Pas de Calais

The fictitious First U.S. Army Group was to be led by General George Patton (the Germans believed that Patton would lead the attack and Eisenhower exploited this). Fake radio messages were broadcast, mock up buildings and landing sites representing those in Pas de Calais had been made for the benefit of Luftwaffe scout planes.

Answer: Field Marshal Gerd Von Rundstedt

Rommel was a household name in Germany after his victories in Africa. He was also a realist who held little hope for a German victory if the Allies successfully got a foothold in France. Part of his plan for defence was to have Panzer divisions close enough to support and aggressively counter-attack the beaches. Hitler and Von Rundstedt disagreed and kept three crack Panzer divisions and reserves away from the coast.

The entire Luftwaffe defending the north coast of France consisted of 169 fighter planes. Allied aircraft involved in D-Day operations numbered 13,000.

Answer: Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery (UK)

General Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force. Appointments to these high-ranking positions were largely political. The British wanted their man in the top chair and the Americans wanted theirs. Monty was appointed to the second highest position.

Answer: 150,000

23,000 British and U.S. airborne troops came in behind the beaches on 2,395 aircraft and 867 gliders. The U.S. landed 57,000 troops on Utah and Omaha beaches, while the British and Canadians landed 75,000 on Juno, Gold and Sword. The numbers swelled to over 350,000 by D+5 once the beaches were secure.

Answer: Barely tolerable conditions

The weather had improved by the 6th, but it was far from ideal. The Channel was rough and the airforce also had a horrific time finding their drop zones for the airborne forces due to wind and cloud. The most fortuitous factor with the weather was that German meteorologists declared an invasion impossible with the current conditions.

A lot of German high command, including Rommel, was on leave, the air defence was grounded and German ships were absent, minimising resistance to the landings.

Answer: Twin propellers and a canvas top

The remarkable Duplex Drive Sherman kept buoyant by large canvas skirts that were fitted to the top of the tank. They were launched 4kms from the beach, and from the surface looked no more threatening than a canvas boat. Designed for a one-foot swell only, and facing more than six feet, 22 of the DD's were swamped and very few made it to shore.

Answer: Yes

Omaha, with its expansive beach and towering cliffs, received special attention in its defensive preparation. Thousand of water obstacles such as posts with a tiller mine wired to the top, underwater Belgium Gates and mined ramps stretched the length of the beach. If the men made it on to the beach they then had to contend with the beach obstacles, mines, mortar and sweeping machine gun fire.

Answer: Rommel's Asparagus

Rommel knew that airborne assaults behind the main line would accompany the invasion force. Large open areas capable of receiving gliders were defended with thousands of wooden stakes (dubbed Rommel's Asparagus) which were planted in the ground. Barbed wire was often nailed between them.

Answer: 20%

It's been well argued that the Red Army would still have conquered Germany without the Allies creating a new front, but perhaps at a much greater cost to life. With great respect to the daring troops in the Battle of Normandy, many countries in Western Europe owe their liberation to Allied lives, and also the Germans west of the River Elbe, who were protected from the Russian onslaught.