Admiral Andrew Cunningham Trivia Quiz

Answer: Dublin

Andrew Browne Cunningham (ABC) was born on 7th January 1883 at Rathmines, County Dublin. His father, Professor John David Cunningham, who held at that time the post of Professor of Anatomy at Trinity College Dublin, and his mother Elizabeth Cumming Browne, were both of Scottish ancestry. Neither family had a naval pedigree - both grandfathers having been clergymen.

Answer: Dardanelles

In 1915, came the Dardanelles Campaign. HMS Scorpion's role included, at various times, escorting bombarding ships, covering minesweeping trawlers and, later on, acting as minesweeper herself. Cunningham was to witness the loss of Battleships to mines and the landing and evacuation of troops.

Answer: Rodney

Late in 1929 came his first command of a big ship, HMS Rodney. Following 12 months on HMS Rodney there was a spell as Commodore of the Royal Naval Barracks Chatham. His appointment as Rear Admiral was confirmed on 24 September 1932.

Answer: HMS Hood

Before he left his post in August 1938, Cunningham hosted a dinner-party aboard HMS Hood for commanders of visiting Italian warships including Conte di Cavour and Giulio Cesare under the Italian Admiral Riccardi. Cunningham would face all three in more testing times during the war.

Answer: Taranto

The attack by Fleet Air Arm Swordfish on the Italian Fleet whilst it was at anchor at Taranto. Seen by many as the blueprint for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour 12 months later, the Swordfish flew off HMS Illustrious at almost 9 o'clock in the evening. The attack was a brilliant success with 3 Italian battleships and a cruiser put out of action.

Answer: Cape Matapan

A brilliant 'hunted' turned 'hunter' night action, falling upon an ill prepared and surprised Italian force.

Answer: Vittorio Veneto

HMS Formidable launched 3 separate airstrikes at 1130 hours, 1530 hours and the last one at around 1700 hours. These torpedo bombers scored a hit on the Vittorio Veneto near her port propeller and damaged her, although she was able to keep going and escaped.

Answer: HMS Warspite

During the night battle at around 2200 hrs the British destroyer HMS Greyhound trained her searchlight on the Italians and the Warspite opened fire , soon all three cruisers were shattered by the Warspite's gunfire , the two destroyers were also hit and sank soon after .

In the midst of the battle the HMS Jervis got close enough to Pola to rescue some 250 men still aboard the shattered cruiser.

Answer: Surrender of the Italian Fleet

In September of 1943 when the Italian fleet was led by his old flagship Warspite to surrender at Malta. ABC had occasion to send to the Admiralty the signal 'Be pleased to inform Their Lordships that the Italian Battlefleet now lies at anchor under the guns of the fortress of Malta.'

Answer: Viscount

January 1946 he became a Viscount and June of that year saw his departure from the Admiralty after almost 50 years service. In 1951 he published his memoirs 'A Sailor's Odyssey'. Viscount Andrew Cunningham died suddenly following a meeting at the Admiralty on 12th June 1963. He was buried at sea off the Nab Tower, Portsmouth from H.M.S. Hampshire.