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Sharpshooters and Sniping Trivia Quiz

Soldiers have employed a respected or despised profession known as sniping throughout history. Here are a few questions about that art.

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

Author
beterave

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
354,367

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
327

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The term 'sniper' has its origins in British India. What is a 'snipe'? Hint

a wild dog

a cat

a monkey

a bird

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. During the Revolutionary War, British Major Patrick Ferguson could have shot and killed a tall American officer during the battle of Brandywine Creek. Who was this officer he could have shot? Hint

John Sullivan

Horatio Gates

Nathaniel Geene

George Washington

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. American militiaman Timothy Murphy dispatched British General Fraser at Freeman's Farm. Where was Private Murphy when he fired? Hint

behind a wall

in a tree

in a firing line

on a hill

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Berdan's Sharpshooters were Union specialists at skirmishing, scouting and sniping. What color uniforms did they wear? Hint

white

blue

green

gray

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Union Major General John Sedgwick was killed by a Confederate sniper. During which battle was he killed? Hint

Spotsylvania

Antietam

Gettysburg

Shiloh

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. The SMLE rifle was the standard firearm used by British and Commonwealth Forces. It was not suitable for precision shooting. What firearm did they use in its place? Hint

the Canadian Ross rifle

the French Bertier

captured Mausers

modified SMLE rifles

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Next to nothing is known about German marksmen of the Great War. Why did this happen? Hint

the information was top secret

none survived

they did not publish their memoirs

there was no intrest in sniping techniques

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. During WWII, Soviet Lieutenant Lyudmila Pavlichenko was a female sniper who dispatched over 300 German soldiers. What was her 'specialty'? Hint

spotting and shooting enemy officers

eliminating enemy snipers

demolitions

scouting and spying

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Sergeant Carlos Hathcock was known as 'white feather'. He was able to spot and shoot the Vietnamese sniper known as the Apache. How was he able to do identify this sniper? Hint

by a bathroom break

by pure luck

by a signature firearm

by size and height

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Sharpshooters use a specialized suit in their craft. What is this suit called? Hint

a Ghillie suit

a Gorilla suit

a Gotham suit

a Gilligan suit

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The term 'sniper' has its origins in British India. What is a 'snipe'?

Answer: a bird

A snipe is a long billed bird known for its swift and erratic flight patterns as well as its ability to camouflage itself. Hunters who could expertly find and shoot these birds became known as snipers.

2. During the Revolutionary War, British Major Patrick Ferguson could have shot and killed a tall American officer during the battle of Brandywine Creek. Who was this officer he could have shot?

Answer: George Washington

The tall American officer Major Ferguson could have shot that day was George Washington. Major Ferguson did not shoot him because Washington turned his back to him while in the saddle. His honor would not allow him to shoot an officer in the back. Ironically, Ferguson was killed at Kings Mountain by an American sharpshooter.

3. American militiaman Timothy Murphy dispatched British General Fraser at Freeman's Farm. Where was Private Murphy when he fired?

Answer: in a tree

After being ordered to dispatch a gallant British officer, Private Murphy climbed a tree, positioned himself and fired. The distance was about 300 yards using a Pennsylvania rifle.

4. Berdan's Sharpshooters were Union specialists at skirmishing, scouting and sniping. What color uniforms did they wear?

Answer: green

Berdan's Sharpshooters wore green uniforms. Union regulars and volunteers wore blue uniforms.

5. Union Major General John Sedgwick was killed by a Confederate sniper. During which battle was he killed?

Answer: Spotsylvania

Admonishing his men to have no fear of the Confederate sharpshooters, Major General Sedgwick was killed by one after saying, 'They couldn't hit an elephant from that distance'.

6. The SMLE rifle was the standard firearm used by British and Commonwealth Forces. It was not suitable for precision shooting. What firearm did they use in its place?

Answer: the Canadian Ross rifle

The Canadian Ross rifle became the weapon of choice for British and Commonwealth troops. Noted for its accuracy and high muzzle velocity, it was the clear choice.

7. Next to nothing is known about German marksmen of the Great War. Why did this happen?

Answer: they did not publish their memoirs

German marksmen were extremely lethal during the Great War. However, next to nothing is known about their tactics or techniques because they refused to publish memoirs or write papers about their exploits to outside sources.

8. During WWII, Soviet Lieutenant Lyudmila Pavlichenko was a female sniper who dispatched over 300 German soldiers. What was her 'specialty'?

Answer: eliminating enemy snipers

Lieutenant Pavlichenko's specialty was eliminating other snipers. This was an extremely hazardous undertaking because it required not only great marksmanship, but keen instincts as well. She was recognized as a Hero of the Soviet Union and two commemorative postage stamps were issued in her honor by the Soviet postal service.

9. Sergeant Carlos Hathcock was known as 'white feather'. He was able to spot and shoot the Vietnamese sniper known as the Apache. How was he able to do identify this sniper?

Answer: by a bathroom break

The Apache was a known female Viet Cong sniper. While Hathcock observed her sniper team, he noticed one stop and squat to urinate.

10. Sharpshooters use a specialized suit in their craft. What is this suit called?

Answer: a Ghillie suit

Sharpshooters use a camouflaged suit of burlap and foliage known as a Ghillie suit. When properly used, it resembles the terrain around the shooter.

Source: Author beterave

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