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Quiz about The British Military Mishaps in Empire Building

The British: Military Mishaps in Empire Building Quiz

It was once said that the sun never sets on British Empire. Military blunders do occur in this endeavor. This quiz covers some of those mishaps.

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

Author
beterave

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
311,722

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
8 / 15

Plays
473

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. This engagement took place during the French and Indian War. What battle is 'Braddock's Defeat' better known as in North America? Hint

Ohio Forks

Monongahela

Hollow Way

Youghiogheny River

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Question 2 of 15

2. Which two British regiments were involved in the battle known as "Braddock's Defeat"? Hint

48th and 60th Foot

45th and 50th Foot

44th and 48th Foot

50th and 52nd Foot

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Question 3 of 15

3. What are believed to be General Braddock's dying words after his only engagement during the French and Indian War? Hint

What has happened here?

Secure our wounded

We shall know how to fight them next time

Scoundrels!, cowards!

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Question 4 of 15

4. Who was initially blamed for Braddock's defeat? Hint

General Braddock

Colonel Robert Dunbar

Captain George Washington

Captain Orme

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Question 5 of 15

5. During the First Afghan War in 1842, what did the British consider the least of their problems in Afghanistan? Hint

mountainous terrain

the Afghan tribesman

a long resupply route

inhospitable climate

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Question 6 of 15

6. During the First Afghan War when MacNaghten was murdered, what did the British do? Hint

punish the tribesmen responsible

nothing

make a second attempt to negotiate

mount punitive expeditions

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Question 7 of 15

7. What shameful act did Elphinstone do during the withdrawal from Kabul? Hint

relieve himself of command

commit suicide

allow himself to be a hostage

desert his command

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Question 8 of 15

8. Which British regiment made a final stand at Gandamak during the First Afghan War? Hint

8th Foot (King's Liverpool Regiment)

2nd Bengal Lancers

44th Foot (Essex Regiment)

57th Foot (Middlesex)

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Question 9 of 15

9. Who was the only survivor to have escaped the massacre of Elphinstone's column at Gandamak? Hint

William Brydon

Robert Sale

George Bourne

William Norman

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Question 10 of 15

10. During the Crimean War, what was unusual about the Balaclava battle honour? Hint

it was awarded to the French

it was awarded despite the fact it was a defeat

it was awarded to only the cavalry

all of these

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Question 11 of 15

11. The phrase and nickname, 'thin red line' is attributed to which regiment at Balaclava? Hint

90th Highlanders

73rd Highlanders

93rd Highlanders

71st Highlanders

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Question 12 of 15

12. Which British regiment bore the brunt of the casualties at Maiwand? Hint

23rd Regiment of Foot

43rd Regiment of Foot

57th Regiment of Foot

66th Regiment of Foot

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Question 13 of 15

13. What was the 66th's regimental mascot's name? Hint

Jessie

Bobbie

Billie

Sonny

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Question 14 of 15

14. What were Lord Chelmsford's words when he discovered that the camp at Isandlwana had been wiped out? Hint

'Don't be absurd,man'

'But I left 1,000 men to guard the camp'

'That's incredible. Surely you are mistaken'?

He was speechless

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Question 15 of 15

15. What eventually became of the colours of 24th during the fighting at Isandlwana? Hint

They were lost forever

They were recovered on the field

They were recovered in a future battle

They were reconstituted by the Queen

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This engagement took place during the French and Indian War. What battle is 'Braddock's Defeat' better known as in North America?

Answer: Monongahela

The engagement that took place on 9th July 1755 known as Braddock's Defeat, is also known as the battle of Monongahela. This was a battle in the French and Indian War. The outcome was a clear cut victory for the French and their Indian allies.

2. Which two British regiments were involved in the battle known as "Braddock's Defeat"?

Answer: 44th and 48th Foot

The two regiment involved in this engagement were the 44th and 48th Regiments of Foot. It was bad enough that General Braddock had no experience in fighting Indians, but the two regiments given him for the task lacked experience as well. There was also deep seated animosity between the 44th and 48th that questioned the bravery of the other in '45 at the Battle of Falkirk in Scotland.

3. What are believed to be General Braddock's dying words after his only engagement during the French and Indian War?

Answer: We shall know how to fight them next time

General Braddock's dying words were,'We shall know how to fight them next time'. Regretfully for him there was never a next time.

4. Who was initially blamed for Braddock's defeat?

Answer: Captain Orme

Captain Orme was blamed for this disaster. Captain Orme was a favorite of Braddock's but an immensely unpopular officer among both the other ranks and the Colonials. He was immediately made a scapegoat for this debacle.

5. During the First Afghan War in 1842, what did the British consider the least of their problems in Afghanistan?

Answer: the Afghan tribesman

Afghanistan with its mountainous terrain, and inhospitable climate, and a long resupply route from India were formidable obstacles for any expeditionary force. However,they were problems that were not taken seriously. The British considered the tribesman who inhabited Afghanistan the least of their worries after all, they possessed modern arms and a disciplined army whereas the Afghans had neither.

This overconfidence led to many problems.

6. During the First Afghan War when MacNaghten was murdered, what did the British do?

Answer: nothing

MacNaghten, who was attempting to negotiate a treaty with warring and hostile tribes was murdered and dismembered. Incredibly, the British response to this atrocity was to do nothing. This inaction only emboldened the warring tribes.

7. What shameful act did Elphinstone do during the withdrawal from Kabul?

Answer: allow himself to be a hostage

Elphinstone allowed himself to be taken hostage along with other senior officers while negotiating with the tribesmen. This was an unforgivable act that did not insure the column's safety nor guarantee safe passage out of Afghanistan. Elphinstone died in captivity within a year.

8. Which British regiment made a final stand at Gandamak during the First Afghan War?

Answer: 44th Foot (Essex Regiment)

The survivors of the 44th Foot made that gallant final stand on a small knoll at Gandamak that January 13th, 1842. When given the offer to surrender, it is said that a British sergeant replied,'not bloody likely!' There were no survivors of the 44th Foot, although one cavalry surgeon, William Brydon, survived to tell the tale.

9. Who was the only survivor to have escaped the massacre of Elphinstone's column at Gandamak?

Answer: William Brydon

Assistant Surgeon William Brydon was the only survivor who managed to escape and reach Jalalabad alive. Out of a total of 16,000 men, women and children who made the trek from Kabul,he was the only survivor. When asked what happened to the army, his reply was,'I am the army'.

10. During the Crimean War, what was unusual about the Balaclava battle honour?

Answer: it was awarded despite the fact it was a defeat

The battle honour 'Balaclava' was awarded to all of the participating British regiments involved despite the fact it was a tactical defeat.

11. The phrase and nickname, 'thin red line' is attributed to which regiment at Balaclava?

Answer: 93rd Highlanders

The 93rd Highlanders,(Argyll and Sutherland)earned the nickname 'thin red line' for action at Balaclava that day. The regiment stopped a charge of Russian cavalry without losing a single man that day. The phrase has become legendary.

12. Which British regiment bore the brunt of the casualties at Maiwand?

Answer: 66th Regiment of Foot

The 66th Regiment of Foot(Berkshires) bore the brunt of the casualties that day at Maiwand. The regiment suffered over 286 casualties while covering the retreat.

13. What was the 66th's regimental mascot's name?

Answer: Bobbie

The regimental mascot's name was Bobbie. Bobbie survived the engagement and was later presented to the Queen as members of the regiment received the Afghan War Medal.

14. What were Lord Chelmsford's words when he discovered that the camp at Isandlwana had been wiped out?

Answer: 'But I left 1,000 men to guard the camp'

Lord Chelmsford's words were,'but I left 1,000 men to guard the camp'. It was the worst disaster of British arms that day. A modern army that possessed rifles and artillery beaten by natives armed with only spears and shields.

15. What eventually became of the colours of 24th during the fighting at Isandlwana?

Answer: They were recovered on the field

The colours of the 24th were recovered from the Tugela River at Isandlwana. Lieutenants Melville and Coghill who died trying to save them both received posthumous Victoria Crosses.

Source: Author beterave

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