The Underground: Resistance Movements in WWII Quiz

Answer: the beret

The Basque beret was the trademark head wear of the 'maquis but was common enough not to arouse suspicion.

Answer: they were French and knew the terrain

The Vichy Milice were a para military organization who were charged with conducting anti-resistance operations. They were a primary threat because they were fellow Frenchmen who spoke the language, knew the towns and villages and knew who the informers were.

Answer: their heads were shaved

French women who had romantic relations with German soldiers were regarded as collaborators and had their heads shaved. Male collaborators were dealt with in a much harsher manner.

Answer: they were killed

The standard German policy in dealing with Russian partisans was to simply kill them without trial or mercy. The partisans had the same policy when dealing with captured Germans and their allies.

Answer: collective punishment

Collective punishment and wholesale reprisals was the German response to partisan activities in occupied Russia. This was usually counter-productive because it only stiffened the Russians' resolve to resist. Collective punishment was used, at least from time to time, in many other Nazi-occupied countries and was commonplace in Serbia.

Answer: the sewers

The resistance fighters used the sewers as a primary means travel. The sewers could be used day or night and the users were always unseen and protected.

Answer: they wanted the uprising to fail

Although Red Army armoured spearheads were on the outskirts of Warsaw, they made no effort to aid the Poles. The Home Army represented the legitimate government in exile. If it was eliminated, the Soviets could install their own Soviet backed Polish government. So it became essential that the uprising fail.

Note. The Warsaw Uprising of 1944 by the Polish Home Army should not be confused with the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943.

Answer: it was non-violent

Dutch resistance was active in gathering intelligence, sabotage and rescuing downed Allied airmen. However, there was almost no armed excursions against the German occupation.

Answer: refusing to speak German or associate with a German

Norwegians refused to speak German or associate with any German during the occupation. This so infuriated the Germans that they passed laws compelling them to comply.

Answer: Heydrich

The Czech Underground attempted to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, the Protector (that is, governor) of Bohemia and Moravia on May 27, 1942. The attempt failed initially, but Heydrich died several days later of septicemia from the attack. This provoked one of the most infamous massacres of World War II - Lidice.