War On The Western Front
This is a quiz for 18 year old high school students. It is based on the Core component of the NSW HSC Modern History syllabus. It is specifically based around fighting on the western front in world war 1.
- 1.
Who were the commanding officers of the French and German forces at Verdun at the battle's beginning in 1916?
- A.
General Pétain and General Falkenhayn
- B.
General Douglas Haig and General Falkenhayn
- C.
General Ludendorff and General Pétain
- D.
Marshall Foch and General von Bulow
- E.
General Pershing and General Falkenhayn
Correct Answer
A. General Pétain and General FalkenhaynExplanation
General Pétain and General Falkenhayn were the commanding officers of the French and German forces at Verdun at the beginning of the battle in 1916.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Why were the French successful on the first day of the Battle of the Somme in reaching all objectives?
- A.
They were attacking a "soft" quarter.
- B.
They had sufficient artillery concentration, their attack was well co-ordinated with support fire and they attacked in platoon formation.
- C.
They had enough cavalry, tank power and artillery concentration to overwhelm the Germans before they could mount a serious defence.
- D.
Their commanding officer had acquired intelligence that helped them pinpoint the area least defended on the front.
- E.
They detonated large mines which enabled the infantry to exploit the gaps created and the artillery support was brief but effective.
Correct Answer
B. They had sufficient artillery concentration, their attack was well co-ordinated with support fire and they attacked in platoon formation.Explanation
The French were successful on the first day of the Battle of the Somme because they had sufficient artillery concentration, their attack was well-coordinated with support fire, and they attacked in platoon formation. This means that they had a strong and concentrated artillery bombardment that weakened the enemy defenses, their troops were organized and supported by artillery fire, and they attacked in smaller groups to maintain control and effectiveness. This combination of factors allowed the French to reach all their objectives on the first day of the battle.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What was significant about the 106 fuse?
- A.
The patent was owned by the Germans, but the fuse used by the British, so the Germans were being paid for each shell that landed on them.
- B.
It allowed shells to land with far greater accuracy, and, so, enabled the "creeping barrage".
- C.
It detonated high explosive shells upon contact enabling maximum personnel casualties and wire cutting without digging up the terrain.
- D.
It was the original fuse used by each belligerent at the start of the war.
Correct Answer
C. It detonated high explosive shells upon contact enabling maximum personnel casualties and wire cutting without digging up the terrain.Explanation
The 106 fuse was significant because it allowed high explosive shells to detonate upon contact, causing maximum personnel casualties and wire cutting without the need to dig up the terrain. This innovation made it easier for the British to inflict damage on the Germans, as they were being paid for each shell that landed on them. Additionally, the 106 fuse enabled the use of a "creeping barrage" tactic, allowing shells to land with greater accuracy.Rate this question:
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- 4.
The "Hundred Days Offensive" was
- A.
The first phase of operation Michael.
- B.
The first phase of Plan 17.
- C.
The final phase of the battle for Verdun.
- D.
The start of the Allied counter offensive of August to November 1918.
Correct Answer
D. The start of the Allied counter offensive of August to November 1918.Explanation
The correct answer is the start of the Allied counter offensive of August to November 1918. The Hundred Days Offensive was a series of military offensives launched by the Allied forces against the Central Powers during the final months of World War I. It began in August 1918 and lasted until the Armistice in November 1918. This offensive marked a turning point in the war, as the Allies made significant gains and pushed the Central Powers back, ultimately leading to their defeat.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Why was the area just south east of the Somme chosen for the decisive Battle of Amiens in August 1918?
- A.
The Allies wanted to replay the Battle of the Somme and, this time, emerge decisive victors.
- B.
The Germans were planning their own offensive in this area and would, not have defensive patterns to repel the surprise attack.
- C.
The area was the junction of the French and BEF forces, allowing maximum co-operation, it was flat and well suited for tank use and the defending Second German Army was weak.
- D.
Lloyd George wanted Haig to return to the site of his greatest disaster in an act of spite.
Correct Answer
C. The area was the junction of the French and BEF forces, allowing maximum co-operation, it was flat and well suited for tank use and the defending Second German Army was weak.Explanation
The area just southeast of the Somme was chosen for the decisive Battle of Amiens in August 1918 because it provided several strategic advantages. Firstly, it was the junction of the French and British Expeditionary Forces (BEF), allowing for maximum co-operation between the two. Additionally, the area was flat and well suited for the use of tanks, which played a crucial role in the battle. Lastly, the defending Second German Army in this area was weak, making it an opportune target for a surprise attack.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The German High Command were convinced that they had lost the war when
- A.
Hindenburg's mother died of malnutrition while trying to maintain local morale by living on an average Prussian's diet in late 1918.
- B.
They discovered their men living off captured trench rats after the Battle of Amien.
- C.
Haig breached the Hindenburg line on 5 October 1918, followed by the 1st and 3rd Armies breaching the line on 8 October.
- D.
The German U boats sank the Lusitania.
Correct Answer
C. Haig breached the Hindenburg line on 5 October 1918, followed by the 1st and 3rd Armies breaching the line on 8 October.Explanation
The correct answer is Haig breached the Hindenburg line on 5 October 1918, followed by the 1st and 3rd Armies breaching the line on 8 October. This event was significant because it marked a major breakthrough for the Allied forces during World War I. The Hindenburg line was a heavily fortified German defensive position, and its breach allowed the Allies to advance further into German territory. This success ultimately contributed to the German High Command's realization that they were losing the war.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Tanks were successful at Amien and Cambrai because
- A.
They were finally given enough fuel to fulfil their tasks.
- B.
They were used in concentrated attacks.
- C.
The battles had been won by the infantry and artillery anyway.
- D.
Both battles were fought in dry conditions.
Correct Answer
B. They were used in concentrated attacks.Explanation
The correct answer is "They were used in concentrated attacks." This is because tanks were most effective when they were used together in large numbers, focusing their attack on a specific area. By concentrating their forces, the tanks were able to overwhelm the enemy and break through their defenses. This tactic allowed the tanks to exploit weaknesses in the enemy's lines and achieve success at the battles of Amien and Cambrai.Rate this question:
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- 8.
The three weapons which enabled platoons to operate with massively greater efficiency by being made available on a large scale were
- A.
The bayonet, repeating rifle and tank.
- B.
The hand grenade, Lewis gun and rifle grenade.
- C.
The Uzi submachine gun, the Lewis gun and the bayonet.
- D.
The flamethrower, the trench club and recordings of off key marching music.
Correct Answer
B. The hand grenade, Lewis gun and rifle grenade.Explanation
The hand grenade, Lewis gun, and rifle grenade were the three weapons that enabled platoons to operate with massively greater efficiency by being made available on a large scale. Hand grenades provided soldiers with a portable and effective way to attack enemy positions at close range. The Lewis gun, a light machine gun, increased the firepower of the platoons, allowing them to suppress enemy forces and provide covering fire. Rifle grenades, which could be launched from a rifle, provided additional firepower and allowed soldiers to engage targets at longer distances. These weapons enhanced the platoons' offensive capabilities and improved their overall efficiency in combat.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Who appointed Freidrich Ebert chancellor of Germany in November 1918?
- A.
Prince Max of Baden
- B.
Prince Max of Austria
- C.
Kaiser Wilhelm II
- D.
Kaiser Fredrich Wilhelm
Correct Answer
A. Prince Max of BadenExplanation
Prince Max of Baden appointed Friedrich Ebert as chancellor of Germany in November 1918. This appointment came during the final days of World War I and the German Revolution. Prince Max of Baden was the last chancellor of the German Empire and played a crucial role in the transition of power from the monarchy to a democratic government. Ebert, as the leader of the Social Democratic Party, was chosen by Prince Max to head the new government and help stabilize the country during this tumultuous period.Rate this question:
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- 10.
What was the name of the treaty the new communist government of Russia signed with Germany on March 3, 1918,
- A.
The Treaty of Versailles
- B.
The Treaty of Baden-Baden
- C.
The Treaty of the Baader-Meinhoff
- D.
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Correct Answer
D. The Treaty of Brest-LitovskExplanation
The correct answer is The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. This treaty was signed between the new communist government of Russia and Germany on March 3, 1918. It marked Russia's withdrawal from World War I and resulted in significant territorial losses for Russia, as it ceded large parts of its territory to Germany and its allies. The treaty was highly controversial and led to internal conflicts within Russia.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Feb 18, 2010Quiz Created by
James Burfitt
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