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Quiz about Operation Barbarossa War in Russia

Operation Barbarossa: War in Russia Quiz

Nothing matched the savagery of the war on the Eastern Front. Here are a few questions about that campaign.

A multiple-choice quiz by beterave. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
beterave

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
334,515

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
994

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 184 (2/10), Guest 60 (9/10), Guest 86 (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What did the Russians call the war on the Eastern Front? Hint

The Fascist War

The Eastern Front

The Great Patriotic War

The Hitlerite War

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Question 2 of 10

2. Why did the Soviet Union lack competent officers at the higher command levels at the start of Barbarossa? Hint

Stalin had killed or imprisoned his best officers in the purges in the 1930s

The better officers had no confidence in Communism

The best officers were in the Far East

The Soviet Union had no general officers

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Question 3 of 10

3. How did some people living inside the Soviet Union view the German invaders, at least initially? Hint

as another oppressor

as Stalin's allies

as liberators

with indifference

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Question 4 of 10

4. When was the policy of scorched earth usually practised during warfare on the Eastern Front? Hint

during a roundup of 'undesirables'

during a tactical advance

during a retreat

during a commando raid

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the 'rasputitsa' better known as in the German Army serving in Russia? Hint

heat and unbearable dust

endless steppes

general mud

colonel cold weather

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Question 6 of 10

6. What Soviet weapon was a complete surprise to the Germans early in Barbarossa? Hint

Soviet spies

Yak fighters

The T-34 tank

Soviet partisans

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Question 7 of 10

7. Another unpleasant surprise was the Katyusha. What did the Germans call this weapon? Hint

Stalin's Organs

Communist Cannon

The Red Orchestra

The Whiz Bang

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which winter tactic did the Russians use against the Germans?
(hint: this tactic had been used against them by the Finns) Hint

use winter as a weapon

the use of ski troops

short bombardments and a quick infantry assault

massed armoured attacks

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which troops did the Soviets prefer to use in the winter campaign? Hint

Ukrainians

Siberians

Turkmen

Georgians

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Question 10 of 10

10. What did the German soldiers call the Winter War Medal of 1941-42? Hint

the Moscow medal

Order of the Frozen Flesh

Hitler's hero's medal

the Barbarossa badge

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 08 2024 : Guest 184: 2/10
Dec 06 2024 : Guest 60: 9/10
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Nov 26 2024 : Guest 184: 6/10
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Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What did the Russians call the war on the Eastern Front?

Answer: The Great Patriotic War

During WWII, Russians called the struggle on the Eastern Front the Great Patriotic War. The purpose of the slogan was to rally the populace to resist the German invaders.

2. Why did the Soviet Union lack competent officers at the higher command levels at the start of Barbarossa?

Answer: Stalin had killed or imprisoned his best officers in the purges in the 1930s

The Great Purge of 1937 saw the imprisonment and execution of some of the most promising officers at the higher command levels in the Red Army. Their demise resulted mainly from Stalin's unfounded paranoia, which was fed with faked 'evidence' by the German secret services.

3. How did some people living inside the Soviet Union view the German invaders, at least initially?

Answer: as liberators

Many people living under Soviet rule initially viewed the Germans as liberators, particularly in the Baltic States and Ukraine. However, these areas or countries were treated so badly by the Germans that some early collaborators switched their allegiance back to the Soviet Union.

4. When was the policy of scorched earth usually practised during warfare on the Eastern Front?

Answer: during a retreat

The policy of scorched earth was usually practised during a retreat. Anything useful to the enemy was burned or destroyed insuring he would have nothing useful to occupy or aid him. Both sides practised this policy but it was the civilians who suffered for it.

5. What was the 'rasputitsa' better known as in the German Army serving in Russia?

Answer: general mud

The rasputitsa is better known as 'General Mud' in the German Army serving in Russia. The bi-annual rainy season made unpaved roads impassable by turning them into a virtual sea of mud. This made motorized movement impossible.

6. What Soviet weapon was a complete surprise to the Germans early in Barbarossa?

Answer: The T-34 tank

The T-34 was a complete surprise to the Germans during the summer of 1941. It was fast and virtually indestructible with its sloping armour. The 76.2mm cannon was a match for the German armour.

7. Another unpleasant surprise was the Katyusha. What did the Germans call this weapon?

Answer: Stalin's Organs

Mounted on the ZIS-6 truck, the Katyusha was called Stalin's Organs by the German soldiers. They were not as accurate as conventional artillery but could still deliver a saturation barrage that was incredible.

8. Which winter tactic did the Russians use against the Germans? (hint: this tactic had been used against them by the Finns)

Answer: the use of ski troops

The Russians used highly mobile ski troops against the Germans during the winter. Quick and silent, they would wreck havoc on outposts and unsuspecting German positions.

9. Which troops did the Soviets prefer to use in the winter campaign?

Answer: Siberians

The Red Army preferred to use the elite Siberian troops during the winter campaign. Acclimated to cold weather and superbly equipped with camouflage and cold weather clothing, these soldiers were feared by the Germans.

10. What did the German soldiers call the Winter War Medal of 1941-42?

Answer: Order of the Frozen Flesh

German soldiers disdainfully called the Winter Medal of 1941-42 the 'Gefrierfleischorden', or Order of the Frozen Flesh (or the Frozen Meat Medal). No one could forget having to wage warfare in that Russian winter without adequate winter clothing.

Source: Author beterave

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