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Quiz about Royal Australian Navy in WWII

Royal Australian Navy in WWII Trivia Quiz

The RAN served in many theatres in WWII. This quiz looks at some notable RAN events during the war.

A multiple-choice quiz by oznavyguy. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
oznavyguy

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
406,900

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
164

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which light cruiser was lost off Western Australia in 1941l Hint

Perth

Australia

Adelaide

Sydney

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Question 2 of 10

2. The Germans gave a group of Australian destroyers which included HMAS Voyager, a name to indicate how useless they were. What was the name? Hint

The Rust Squadron

Scrap Iron Flotilla

Worn Out Fleet

Sinking Soon Squadron

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Question 3 of 10

3. HMAS Yarra was sunk fighting naval forces from which country? Hint

Japan

Italy

Germany

Finland

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Question 4 of 10

4. HMAS Australia II was which type of ship? Hint

Light Cruiser

Heavy Cruiser

Aircraft Carrier

Destroyer

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which RAN unit was involved in the Bismarck Chase? Hint

HMAS Stuart

HMAS Arunta

HMAS Sydney

HMAS Nestor

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Question 6 of 10

6. How many Tribal class destroyers did the RAN commission during WWII? Hint

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Question 7 of 10

7. What year during WWII were the WRANS formed? Hint

1941

1940

1939

1942

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which RAN cruiser was sunk in March 1942 in the Java Sea? Hint

HMAS Sydney

HMAS Hobart

HMAS Canberra

HMAS Perth

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which cruiser was involved in ensuring that the island New Caledonia did not become Vichy in 1940? Hint

HMAS Australia

HMAS Canberra

HMAS Hobart

HMAS Adelaide

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Question 10 of 10

10. What was the largest class of ships built in Australia during WWII? Hint

Minesweepers

Destroyers

Frigates

Submarines

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which light cruiser was lost off Western Australia in 1941l

Answer: Sydney

HMAS Sydney served in the Mediterranean and was famous for sinking the Italian Cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni. She returned to Australia in 1941 and on 19 November 1941 was engaged in battle with the German raider Kormoran which resulted in both vessels sinking. None of the crew from the Sydney survived.

2. The Germans gave a group of Australian destroyers which included HMAS Voyager, a name to indicate how useless they were. What was the name?

Answer: Scrap Iron Flotilla

The Scrap Iron Flotilla was a name given to the five RAN destroyers, HMA Ships Stuart, Voyager, Vendetta, Vampire and Waterhen when they were serving in the Mediterranean. The ships were V&W class destroyers built during WWI and given to the RAN by the RN in the 1930s.

3. HMAS Yarra was sunk fighting naval forces from which country?

Answer: Japan

HMAS Yarra was sunk in March 1942 when the convoy she was escorting was attacked by a Japanese force of Cruisers and Destroyers. Only 13 of the 151 onboard were rescued.

4. HMAS Australia II was which type of ship?

Answer: Heavy Cruiser

HMAS Australia II was a County class heavy cruiser and was commissioned in 1928. She served throughout World War II in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres. In 1944 and 1945 she was hit several times by kamikazes which caused suffered damage and casualties including the death of her Captain. She survived WWII and was scrapped in the 1950s.

5. Which RAN unit was involved in the Bismarck Chase?

Answer: HMAS Nestor

In May 1941 HMAS Nestor was a part of the Royal Navy forces chasing the Bismarck. Later in 1942 she was sunk by air attack in the Mediterranean.

6. How many Tribal class destroyers did the RAN commission during WWII?

Answer: 3

HMA ships Arunta, Warramunga and Bataan were all commissioned during WWII and served in the Pacific theatre.

7. What year during WWII were the WRANS formed?

Answer: 1941

The WRANS were formed in 1941 and disbanded in 1945 before being reformed again post war.

The WRANS served in many areas of the RAN during WWII including communications, intelligence, sick bay, cooks and stewards. A female Coastwatcher was given an honorary commission in the WRAN.

8. Which RAN cruiser was sunk in March 1942 in the Java Sea?

Answer: HMAS Perth

HMAS Perth was sunk by Japanese Naval Forces on 1 March 1942 while trying to pass through the Sunda Strait, with USS Houston, back to Australia after the Java Sea battles.

9. Which cruiser was involved in ensuring that the island New Caledonia did not become Vichy in 1940?

Answer: HMAS Adelaide

The Australian Government did not want a Vichy island in the Pacific so in early September 1940 HMAS Adelaide arrived at New Caledonia and provided support to pro-De Gaulle residents. By mid September the French residents of the island had ensured that pro-Vichy officials stood down and pro-De Gaulle officials took their place.

10. What was the largest class of ships built in Australia during WWII?

Answer: Minesweepers

Sixty Australian Minesweepers (AMS), also called corvettes, were built in Australia during WWII. They served in many theatres of War including the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Three were lost during the War - 1 by air attack and 2 by collision.

Source: Author oznavyguy

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