WWI: A 20th Century Tragedy Trivia Quiz

Answer: One month

A month to the day after the Austrian heir's death war was declared. Few could imagine the hell that was about to be unleashed upon the world.

Answer: Sir John French

Sir John French led 70,000 troops against the First German Army of 160,000 men led by von Kluck. He was forced to withdraw and suffered heavy casualties. He wanted to withdraw to the coast but Kitchener insisted on the River Marne. Five Victoria Crosses were awarded for bravery during the retreat from Mons.

Answer: Bordeaux

500,000 civilians also fled the city causing traffic chaos on the roads and railways. At one stage the French Sixth Army was under such pressure that it used taxis to get 6,000 reservists to the front line.

Answer: Samsonov

He was appointed Russian Commander with the objective of invading East Prussia in 1914. Poor communications and a quarrel with Rennenkampf, with whom it is believed he did not speak, did not help chances of success. He committed suicide when he realisd his hopeless situation.

Answer: UK

It was comprised of soldiers from the same locality who enlisted together on the promise that they would serve together for the duration. They also died together.

Answer: Falkenhayn

Verdun, (a series of forts), was a salient in the German lines and so could be attacked on three sides. On Feb. 21st 1915, Crown Prince William opened the battle with 1,400 guns along an 80 mile front, 100,000 shells poured into Verdun every hour.

Answer: Pétain

Pétain re-organised the deployment of French artillery and designated one road as an artery. It became known as the 'Sacred Road'. No tactical or strategic advantage was gained by either side, but the casualties came to a million, of whom at least half were fatalities.

Answer: Haig

The attack date was moved forward one month to relieve the pressure on Verdun. The Allies outnumbered the Germans but the war of attrition went on. Dud shells, loss of the element of surprise, loading soldiers with 56 lbs. of equipment, failure to cut the German barbed wire, all meant another million men became casualties. No wonder someone wrote 'humanity must be mad'.

Answer: France

Most people believe it was Germany, but in August 1914 the French fired tear gas grenades with XYLYL Bromide at the Germans. Nevertheless Germany was the first to use such weapons on a mass scale.

Answer: Nivelle

Nivelle promised to break the stalemate in a remarkably short time ... 48 hours. He used 19 divisions and attacked along the Hindenburg line. He successfully captured the 'Chemin des Dames' ridge, but the price was very high, 187,000 French casualties.

It took longer than 48 hours. disillusionment spread, Nivelle was replaced by Petain, who only restored order by promising not to commit troops to offensive action.

Answer: 1915

She was sunk by a single torpedo off the Old Head of Kinsale on the Irish coast. Over a thousand people lost their lives, many of whom were American. The sinking turned American public opinion against the Central Powers. Many questions have been asked about the Lusitania. What was she doing sailing with civilians into a war zone? Where was her escort the 'Juno'? Was she carrying arms?

Answer: Tasker Howard Bliss

He favoured lenient treatment for both the Germany and Austria-Hungary. Like Woodrow Wilson he was in favour of the League of Nations. Alas! no one listened.

Answer: Caporetto

Nine Austrian and six German divisions under the command of Otto von Below attacked using a heavy artillery barrage of high explosives, gas and grenades. The Italian line gave way almost immediately and they withdrew to the River Piave, with a casuality figure of 300,000. The advance could not be continued as the German supply routes were stretched to the limit.

Answer: Erzberger

This was signed in Foch's railway carriage in Compiègne. Hitler used the same carriage when the French surrendered in 1940 and then had it burned.

Answer: He scuttled the High Seas Fleet

He believed Germany would not sign the Versailles Treaty and he did not want the fleet, at anchor in Scapa Flow, to be handed over to the Royal Navy. He issued a secret coded message 'Paragraph Eleven : Confirm', in all 66 ships were scuttled. Given the Draconian measures in the Versailles Treaty, no wonder he was considered a hero.