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The Russian Soldier: 1914-17 Trivia Quiz

The Russian soldier had more obstacles to overcome than any other soldier during the Great War. This quiz is about the Tsar's soldiers.

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

Author
beterave

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
303,453

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
8 / 15

Plays
765

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. When they were available, what was the standard rifle used by the Russian soldier in WWI? Hint

the Mannlicher rifle

the Cossack rifle

the Mosin-Nagant

the Turkish Mauser

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Question 2 of 15

2. What is a papakha? Hint

a wool tunic

a linen shirt

a sheepskin hat

felt lined boots

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Question 3 of 15

3. What was the illiteracy rate in the Russian army during WWI? Hint

25 per cent

over 90 per cent

50 per cent

75 per cent

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Question 4 of 15

4. What was a gymnasterka? Hint

the peak cap

a tunic

an improvised carryall

breeches

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Question 5 of 15

5. What type of gas mask did the Russian soldier use in WWI? Hint

they never developed one

Zelinsky M-16 gas mask

Makarov 1915 model mask

the Polivanov1916 model

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Question 6 of 15

6. What ethnic minority was totally exempt from service in the Russian army? Hint

Finns

Siberians

Latvians

Muslims from Turkestan

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Question 7 of 15

7. Why did Russia have so much success against the Austro-Hungarian army? Hint

Austrian staff planning was terrible

the Austro-Hungarian army feared the Russians

they used overwhelming numbers

they always attacked when they had an advantage

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Question 8 of 15

8. In 1914, Russia could muster well over a million men under arms. How many machine guns did the Russian army have for service in the field? Hint

250

7.500

4,000

12,000

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Question 9 of 15

9. Who were the Tsar's most reliable troops? Hint

the Guards divisions

the Ukrainians

the White Russians

the Cossacks

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Question 10 of 15

10. How many NCOs were assigned to a Russian infantry company in WWI? Hint

two

eight

four

six

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Question 11 of 15

11. As the war went on, what vital piece of equipment did the Russian soldier usually lack? Hint

helmets

arms and munitions

barbed wire

grenades

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Question 12 of 15

12. How was the problem of arming unarmed conscripts who arrived at the front solved? Hint

send them to the rear

have them join in on an assault unarmed

assign them to labor battalions

have them use German weapons

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Question 13 of 15

13. Which of the Tsar's soldiers wore the budenovka? Hint

Guards regiments

Naval Infantry

Cossack cavalrymen

none of them

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Question 14 of 15

14. What type of helmet did the Russian soldier wear during WWI? Hint

the Kaska helmet

the Alexeyev helmet

the Sohlberg helmet

none

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Question 15 of 15

15. Before the war, what was the biggest problem in the Russian army? Hint

drunkenness

desertion

theft

Communist agitators

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. When they were available, what was the standard rifle used by the Russian soldier in WWI?

Answer: the Mosin-Nagant

The Tsar's soldiers used the 1891 Mosin-Nagant rifle. The five shot, bolt action 7.62X54mm Mosin was a sturdy weapon that saw service beyond the Second World War.

2. What is a papakha?

Answer: a sheepskin hat

The papakha was the sheepskin hat made famous by the Cossack regiments.

3. What was the illiteracy rate in the Russian army during WWI?

Answer: 75 per cent

The illiteracy rate among the Russian soldiers was 75 per cent. This was the worst rate of any of the major belligerents.

4. What was a gymnasterka?

Answer: a tunic

The gymnasterka was a tunic. It is often classified as a shirt/tunic. It was a collarless pullover made of linen or wool.

5. What type of gas mask did the Russian soldier use in WWI?

Answer: Zelinsky M-16 gas mask

Russian forces used the Zelinsky model 1916 gas mask. Shortages in manufacturing and logistical failures made distribution of this vital piece of equipment scarce to the front line soldier. Examples of this mask are extremely rare.

6. What ethnic minority was totally exempt from service in the Russian army?

Answer: Muslims from Turkestan

No Muslims from Turkestan served in the Russian army because of distance,the language barrier and the fear of teaching them martial skills. Although the Finns and Latvians did serve, the auhorities feared nationalism. Few Siberians served because of the extreme distance to conscript them.

7. Why did Russia have so much success against the Austro-Hungarian army?

Answer: Austrian staff planning was terrible

The Russians enjoyed success when they fought the Austro-Hungarian army simply because the staff work by the Austrian officers was very inefficient, especially when appraising Russian offensive capabilities. This was a constant cause of consternation to their German allies. General Conrad von Hotzendorf remarked "If Franz Ferdinand were alive, he would have had me shot for incompetence." However, the Russians regarded the Germans as a very cunning and dangerous adversary.

8. In 1914, Russia could muster well over a million men under arms. How many machine guns did the Russian army have for service in the field?

Answer: 4,000

The Russian Army possessed only 4,000 Maxim machine guns for service in the field. It was nowhere nearly enough and even as the war progressed, that deficiency was never made up.

9. Who were the Tsar's most reliable troops?

Answer: the Cossacks

The Cossacks were the Tsar's most reliable troops. They came from a long line of military tradition and were fiercely loyal to the monarchy. However, they only made up one fortieth of the available manpower in the field.

10. How many NCOs were assigned to a Russian infantry company in WWI?

Answer: two

A Russian infantry company had only two NCOs. The average German infantry company usually had 12-16 NCOs.

11. As the war went on, what vital piece of equipment did the Russian soldier usually lack?

Answer: arms and munitions

As the war went on, industry failed to produce enough arms. Russia lacked the industrial and economic infrastructure needed for World War I. It was not uncommon to see conscripts arrive at the front unarmed!

12. How was the problem of arming unarmed conscripts who arrived at the front solved?

Answer: have them join in on an assault unarmed

Incredible as it sounds, they forced them to participate in an assault unarmed. 'Pick up the man's weapon who is killed', was actually their solution to this problem.

13. Which of the Tsar's soldiers wore the budenovka?

Answer: none of them

None of the Tsarist troops wore the budenovka headpiece. This distinctive piece of head gear was worn by the Reds during the Russian Civil War.

14. What type of helmet did the Russian soldier wear during WWI?

Answer: none

The Tsar's soldiers never received a helmet during WWI. Russia's industry could not supply enough of anything needed to wage a twentieth century war. The Sohlberg helmet was manufactured in Finland for the Tsar's soldiers, but never saw field service for Russia during WWI. The Kaska is a post war model.

15. Before the war, what was the biggest problem in the Russian army?

Answer: drunkenness

Drunkenness was the biggest single problem in the Imperial Russian army - and has persisted.

Source: Author beterave

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