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Soldiers like other Soldiers Trivia Quiz

The more things change, the more they stay the same. The equipment and weapons of soldiers have not really changed that much. Not really. The Poilus of the French army were no exception.

A multiple-choice quiz by beterave. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
beterave

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
299,540

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
833

Last 3 plays: Guest 67 (9/10), Guest 1 (6/10), Guest 199 (5/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In the beginning of the Great War, the Poilu was armed with the rifle he lovingly called l'Belle. It was better known as the what? Hint

Berthier rifle

Lebel rifle

Mossin Nagant rifle

Lee Enfield rifle

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. The Poilu seldom used his bidon (canteen) for water. What was his beverage of choice? Hint

whisky

wine

gin

lemonade

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. The 'horizon blue' uniform came about because certain dyes could not be obtained. Before the war, where was the dye purchased? Hint

United States

Germany

Britain

Italy

4. The French considered soldiers to be soldiers. Some of their best soldiers came from Morocco. Of the soldiers from the French African colonies, the Germans feared these above the rest. Where did they come from? Hint

Madagascar

Senegal

Tunisia

Algeria

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Trench raiding was a necessity in order to gain information and to impose your will upon the enemy. The British the Germans, and later the Americans, all used it to a high degree. Did the Poilus raid with the same enthusiasm?

Yes

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Question 6 of 10

6. What type of grenade was the Vivien-Bessi�re? Hint

a rifle grenade

a home made grenade

a hand grenade

a stick grenade

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Question 7 of 10

7. 'Poilu' actually means what? Hint

hairy one

dirty one

smelly one

hungry one

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Question 8 of 10

8. The Battle of Verdun was to test the mettle of the French army. Because of the horror of Verdun, these series of fortifications were later erected. Hint

The Charlemagne Line

The Gothic Line

The Maginot Line

The Siegfried Line

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. This event is perhaps one of the best kept secrets of the Western Front. Right after the Niville Offensive, a significant portion of the French Army did what? Hint

became stricken with plague

deserted

mutinied

surrendered in mass

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Question 10 of 10

10. How were French territorial regiments formed? Hint

from the recuperated wounded

from men who had served in the colonies

from men who had fulfilled their reservist status but were still of military age

from the punishment battalions

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 12 2024 : Guest 67: 9/10
Oct 06 2024 : Guest 1: 6/10
Oct 03 2024 : Guest 199: 5/10
Sep 28 2024 : Guest 98: 7/10
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Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In the beginning of the Great War, the Poilu was armed with the rifle he lovingly called l'Belle. It was better known as the what?

Answer: Lebel rifle

The French infantryman used the 8mm Lebel rifle. When first produced in 1886, it was considered one of the finest infantry weapons available. However,it was unsuitable for trench warfare because reloading was too slow.

2. The Poilu seldom used his bidon (canteen) for water. What was his beverage of choice?

Answer: wine

The Poilu's beverage of choice was wine - Pinard to be exact.

3. The 'horizon blue' uniform came about because certain dyes could not be obtained. Before the war, where was the dye purchased?

Answer: Germany

Without enough stocks of dye to make a dark blue uniform, 'horizon blue' was born.

Answer: Senegal

The Senegalese had a fierce reputation. German soldiers would always enquire upon entering the line if French colonial troops were present, especially the Senegalese.

Answer: No

The French preferred to dominate no man's land with fire power and to keep sufficient strength in the forward lines.

6. What type of grenade was the Vivien-Bessi�re?

Answer: a rifle grenade

The Vivien-Bessieres was a rifle grenade which was better known as the VB grenade.

7. 'Poilu' actually means what?

Answer: hairy one

Poilu actually means hairy one. The name became very common after Verdun.

8. The Battle of Verdun was to test the mettle of the French army. Because of the horror of Verdun, these series of fortifications were later erected.

Answer: The Maginot Line

The Great War cost France an entire generation of men. Determined that this should never happen again, they built a folly that became known as the Maginot Line.

9. This event is perhaps one of the best kept secrets of the Western Front. Right after the Niville Offensive, a significant portion of the French Army did what?

Answer: mutinied

After over three long years of fruitless fighting, the horror of Verdun, along with the senseless Niville Offensive, the Poilu had had enough. It had all become so pointless. Bad food, no leave or recreation and a growing casualty list sapped the Poilu of his will to fight.

10. How were French territorial regiments formed?

Answer: from men who had fulfilled their reservist status but were still of military age

Territorial regiments were formed by men who had fulfilled their reservist duty but were still of military age.as the war went on, they were pressed into service.

Source: Author beterave

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