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The German Soldier in WWII Trivia Quiz

The German soldier fought all over Europe and North Africa. They were not all Nazis; just soldiers like other soldiers.

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

Author
beterave

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
336,219

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
556

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. During WWII, what was the rank of a fusilier, grenadier, or a jaeger in the German Army? Hint

lance corporal

private

corporal

sergeant

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Question 2 of 10

2. What did German soldiers disdainfully call their field police in WWII? Hint

rear echelon commandos

flat foots

chain dogs

the cops

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Question 3 of 10

3. During WWII, what color wound badge was a German soldier awarded for one or two wounds? Hint

white

red

gold

black

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Question 4 of 10

4. What motto was inscribed on every German soldier's belt buckle? Hint

Nothing is on the buckle

God is against Them

God is with Us

Our Loyalty is our Honor

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who else besides the infantry was eligible to receive the Infantry Assault Badge in the German Army in WWII? Hint

panzer troops

engineers

motorcycle troops

mountain troops

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Question 6 of 10

6. The German soldier in WWII carried an assortment of gear. What was a 'zeltbahn'? Hint

a shelter half

a helmet cover

a gas mask bag

an entrenching tool

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Question 7 of 10

7. Later during WWII when leather was becoming scarce, German soldiers wore an ankle lengh boot. What did they wear with that boot? Hint

puttees

gaiters

nothing

tie-ties

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Question 8 of 10

8. During WWII, what was the German Army's StG44? Hint

a machine gun

an assault rifle

a machine pistol

a sniper rifle

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Question 9 of 10

9. The German Army was the first to issue camouflage clothing to troops other than snipers or specialists. What was the pattern type issued to the army? Hint

splinter

lizard

woodland

plane tree

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Question 10 of 10

10. By 1944 the war was going badly for Germany. What was their answer to a shortage of manpower? Hint

fire power

they had no answer

more armour

guerrilla warfare

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. During WWII, what was the rank of a fusilier, grenadier, or a jaeger in the German Army?

Answer: private

All of these titles denoted a private in the different arms of infantry in the German Army in WWII. A Waffen SS private was a Schuetze.

2. What did German soldiers disdainfully call their field police in WWII?

Answer: chain dogs

German soldiers disdainfully called their field police 'Kettenhunde', meaning chained dogs. The name was derived from the chained Feldgendarmerie gorget every military policeman wore.

3. During WWII, what color wound badge was a German soldier awarded for one or two wounds?

Answer: black

A German soldier was awarded a black wound badge for one or two wounds received in combat. The gilt or gold colored badge was awarded for five or more wounds or total disablement.

4. What motto was inscribed on every German soldier's belt buckle?

Answer: God is with Us

Every German soldier's belt buckle has the inscription, 'Gott mit Uns' engraved on it meaning, God is with us. The Waffen SS men's belt buckle read 'Our Loyalty is our Honor'.

5. Who else besides the infantry was eligible to receive the Infantry Assault Badge in the German Army in WWII?

Answer: mountain troops

Only mountain troops (Gebirgstruppen) were eligible to receive the infantry assualt badge besides the infantry in the German Army in WWII. Panzer troops received an award similar to the Infantry Assault Badge.

6. The German soldier in WWII carried an assortment of gear. What was a 'zeltbahn'?

Answer: a shelter half

A zeltbahn was a camouflage shelter half that also could serve as a poncho. It was a very versatile piece of equipment; it also could serve as a litter and in a worse case scenario, a shroud.

7. Later during WWII when leather was becoming scarce, German soldiers wore an ankle lengh boot. What did they wear with that boot?

Answer: gaiters

German soldiers wore a pair of gaiters called 'Gamaschen' along with the ankle boots. This was a response to lack of leather for the traditional jackboot.

8. During WWII, what was the German Army's StG44?

Answer: an assault rifle

The StG44 was the 'sturmgewehr', an assualt rifle. This weapon was the blueprint for future assault rifles in all other modern armies.

9. The German Army was the first to issue camouflage clothing to troops other than snipers or specialists. What was the pattern type issued to the army?

Answer: splinter

Splittermuster or the splinter pattern was issued to the army. The Waffen SS used the plane tree (platanenmuster) pattern. The latter pattern is still used in the German Army.

10. By 1944 the war was going badly for Germany. What was their answer to a shortage of manpower?

Answer: fire power

A shortage of manpower was made up by increasing the firepower of a company. By adding more automatic weapons to a smaller unit, it compensated for the lack of personnel. In some cases, a 100-man company with eight MG-42s was able to not only hold its own but even best US and British attackers, especially if fighting from prepared positions.

The Hurtgen Forest is an excellent example of this premise.

Source: Author beterave

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