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Canada in WW1 Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Canada in WW1 Quizzes, Trivia

Canada in WW1 Trivia

Canada in WW1 Trivia Quizzes

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5 quizzes and 55 trivia questions.
1.
  Canada, 1914-1918   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The First World War was a pivotal era in Canadian history. This quiz will ask questions of Canada's involvement on the Western Front, as well as questions about domestic issues in the same era.
Average, 10 Qns, guitargoddess, Sep 04 09
Average
guitargoddess gold member
1970 plays
2.
  Canada and WWI    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Canada played a very important role in WWI. This quiz will feature questions from various stages of the war, but with most emphasis on Canada.
Average, 15 Qns, michrocks164, May 24 11
Average
michrocks164
1795 plays
3.
  Vimy Ridge    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It has been called the 'birth of a nation'. How much do you know about this monumental Canadian battle.
Average, 10 Qns, crazycatholic, May 04 19
Average
crazycatholic
May 04 19
1312 plays
4.
  The Canadian Soldier in WWI    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Canadian soldier served alongside the British and saw extensive action while serving on the Western Front. They, too, were soldiers like other soldiers.
Average, 10 Qns, beterave, Dec 07 10
Average
beterave
685 plays
5.
  Canada and the Great War    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz about Canada in the Great War (WW1). It focuses on some of Canada's defining moments. When it says Britain it means the British Commonwealth including Canada.
Average, 10 Qns, JLG13, Sep 30 11
Average
JLG13
908 plays
trivia question Quick Question
How many kilometers did the British gain in the battle of Somme?

From Quiz "Canada and the Great War"





Canada in WW1 Trivia Questions

1. When did the Canadian Prime Minister declare war on Germany and Austria-Hungary?

From Quiz
Canada, 1914-1918

Answer: He didn't

While Canada had become an independent country in 1867, it was still a dominion of the British Empire. Thus, Canada was automatically at war when Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August, 1914. Other countries that were drawn immediately into the war were Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as British India, other British colonies, and all French and German colonies.

2. What was the name of the first Canadian infantry battalion to mobilize and arrive in France?

From Quiz The Canadian Soldier in WWI

Answer: Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

The 'Princess Pats' were the first contingent to arrive in Britain and the first to see action with the British 27th division in 1915.

3. What was the official reason for Britain and the Commonwealth (including Canada) entering WW1?

From Quiz Canada and the Great War

Answer: Upholding the independence of Belgium

Canada joined the war because Britain had declared war on behalf of the entire British Empire/Commonwealth.

4. Where is Vimy Ridge?

From Quiz Vimy Ridge

Answer: France

It was a ridge near the town of Vimy in northern France.

5. The Canadian soldiers were later issued the British SMLE rifle. The first contingents arrived in France carrying what rifle?

From Quiz The Canadian Soldier in WWI

Answer: the Ross rifle

The first contingents were all armed with the Ross rifle. An excellent weapon, but very temperamental, it tended to foul easily. The Ross rifle was retained for sniping and proved to be an excellent choice.

6. What did the Canadians use to protect themselves from chlorine gas attacks in the the Second Battle of Ypres?

From Quiz Canada and the Great War

Answer: Cloth soaked in urine

The Canadians were the only army to stand firm during the chlorine gas attacks. They urinated on cloths, then placed them on the mouth and nose to cancel the effects of the gas.

7. How many Canadians were at Vimy Ridge?

From Quiz Vimy Ridge

Answer: 97,184

This was a large proportion of the Canadians in World War I.

8. Where did Canada do most of its fighting?

From Quiz Canada and WWI

Answer: The Western Front

Canada fought mostly in Belgium and France. It was here that they no longer had to rely on the British. Instead, the British relied on Canada for support, weaponry, and supplies. Their fighting was a key step on the road to achieving full nationhood.

9. During which battle did Lt. John McCrae write his famous poem "In Flanders Field"?

From Quiz Canada, 1914-1918

Answer: Ypres

The Canadians had a rough go of it during Second Ypres (April-May 1915). The Patricias and the 1st Canadian Division were subjected to the first widescale use of chlorine gas and suffered a great number of casualties, but they held the line and prevented a German breakthrough. In their first major engagement at the front, the Canadians proved themselves to be a tough bunch who could hold their own very well. McCrae was a doctor, and he treated thousands of wounded men in the Ypres salient (in Flanders). After a friend of his was killed, McCrae penned the famous poem: "In Flanders fields, the poppies blow between the crosses, row on row that mark our place; and in the sky the larks, still bravely singing, fly scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead - short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved, and now we lie in Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: to you from failing hands we throw the torch - be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields."

10. The Canadian soldier upon arriving to the front, soon discovered that the leather pattern kit he was issued was not practical. What was the name of this kit?

From Quiz The Canadian Soldier in WWI

Answer: Oliver pattern

The leather Oliver pattern equipment was not practical for trench warfare and once lost or damaged, could not be easily replaced. The CEF was issued with the British PO8 as a replacement to all arriving Commonwealth soldiers.

11. In which battle did the was there the greatest number of Canadian casualties in WW1?

From Quiz Canada and the Great War

Answer: Somme

The Somme was called the Bloodiest Battle for both sides because it killed the most people ever in a single battle. There were around 623,907 casualties on the British side and 660,000 Germans casualties. 24,000 were Canadians. (Note that these figure are for total casualties, not for the numbers killed).

12. When did the battle of Vimy Ridge start?

From Quiz Vimy Ridge

Answer: April 9, 1917

At 5 in the morning Canadians advanced towards the German positions. This day also happened to be Easter Monday.

13. When a tragic accident happened on the home front, many people were quick to call it to German sabotage, saying "the Hun hath done this!" What happened on 3 February 1916?

From Quiz Canada, 1914-1918

Answer: the Parliament buildings caught fire

Seven people died in the fire that broke out in late evening of the very cold February night. The Centre Block was destroyed, except for the parliamentary library with its irreplaceable books, which survived thanks to the heavy fire-proof doors. Rumours immediately started, blaming the Germans for the fire; even some members of Parliament were quick to assume that it was an act of war. It was later concluded that the fire was an accident, probably caused by an unattended cigar that had been left burning.

14. 'Trench Foot' was a problem in the BEF and Commonwealth forces. What was the official prescribed cure for this?

From Quiz The Canadian Soldier in WWI

Answer: whale oil

The official prescribed cure for trench foot was to apply whale oil to the feet. Not only did it not work, but it made the problem worse. The soldiers discovered it was an excellent lubricant for your rifle.

15. How many kilometers did the British gain in the battle of Somme?

From Quiz Canada and the Great War

Answer: 10

Canada was the main army that won the almost 10 kilometres (six miles). Somme was the worst battle of all time, so even though they didn't get very far its better than retreating.

16. Which Canadian Ace had 72 victories?

From Quiz Canada and WWI

Answer: Billy Bishop

William Avery "Billy" Bishop was Canada's top ace. He started his military career as a cavalry officer, arriving in England in June 1915. He was soon tired of the muddy conditions in cavalry camp and joined the Royal Flying Corps. He went into pilot training in 1916 and was soon an ace in early 1917.

17. This regiment suffered horrendous casualties on the first day of the Somme Offensive. What its name?

From Quiz The Canadian Soldier in WWI

Answer: 1st Newfoundland Regiment

The 1st Newfoundland Regiment was almost annihilated on the first day of the Somme offensive. Out of over 800 men, only 69 were present the next day to answer the muster.

18. The Canadians were able to destroy what percentage of enemy artillery pieces at Vimy Ridge?

From Quiz Vimy Ridge

Answer: 83%

They did this using their new counter battery techniques that involved observation balloons and microphones to pin point location of enemy artillery.

19. Approximately how many Canadian soldiers died in WWI?

From Quiz Canada and WWI

Answer: 60,000

It wasn't just guns that killed the soldiers. They had to endure life in trenches, which often caused infections like trench foot; and some men drowned in the mud, especially at Passchendaele. Chlorine and mustard gas were also killers. Gas was released from jars and gave soldiers blisters whereever it contacted them. It often took about four days of excrutiating pain to die from gas poisoning.

20. Who planned the offensive?

From Quiz Vimy Ridge

Answer: the Canadians and British (joint operation)

The Americans weren't even in the war at the time. This was the first Canadian-planned attack.

21. The Battle of Vimy Ridge (1917), a proud moment in the history of Canadian heritage, was part of which larger-scale Allied offensive?

From Quiz Canada, 1914-1918

Answer: Battle of Arras

Most other nations do not really consider the capture of Vimy Ridge as a distinct, separate battle. Rather, it is generally considered to be a small part of the British Arras Offensive, which in turn was the first step of the larger Nivelle Offensive. The Canadian Corps was sent to Vimy to capture the ridge, so that the Arras Offensive would be able to advance without being attacked by Germans at the ridge. The Battle of Vimy Ridge is highly regarded in Canadian history because it marked the first time that the Canadian divisions all fought together, on their own, without the BEF there supporting them. Canada's largest war monument stands at Vimy Ridge, in commemoration of the effort of the Canadians and in memorial of the greater than 10,000 casualties suffered there.

22. Canadian and British soldiers preferred this sleeveless leather garment over the standard issue greatcoat. This garment was known as what?

From Quiz The Canadian Soldier in WWI

Answer: a jerkin

The sleeveless thigh length leather jerkin was preferred over the standard issue greatcoat because it offered greater freedom of movement, and was not apt to cause the soldier to be entangled in the wire.

23. What was the name of the Canadian commander of the attack at Vimy Ridge?

From Quiz Vimy Ridge

Answer: Arthur Currie

After this battle, Currie became the head of the Canadian army and was later knighted as Sir Arthur Currie.

24. What was the official name of helmet issued to the CEF?

From Quiz The Canadian Soldier in WWI

Answer: the Brodie helmet

The CEF soldiers as well as the BEF all wore the 1915 pattern Brodie helmet which was called the 'tin hat'.

25. What was the main objective (highest point on the ridge) - which is where the Vimy Ridge Memorial is located?

From Quiz Vimy Ridge

Answer: Hill 145

The taking of Hill 145 was tasked to the Canadian 4th Divison and they saw some of the toughest fighting of the battle for Vimy Ridge. The whole time they were under fire from the pimple which was the other dominant point on the ridge.

26. When the American Expeditionary Forces arrived, what personal item did they carry that caused the BEF, ANZACs and the Canadians to whoop in envy and derision?

From Quiz The Canadian Soldier in WWI

Answer: toilet paper

The Yanks had toilet paper - a simple luxury that no one in the War Departments of either Great Britain or its Commonwealth allies thought of issuing to the men in the field. Needless to say, the Doughs were envied and bore the brunt of a few jokes.

27. What was Canada's main manufacturing during the war?

From Quiz Canada and the Great War

Answer: Military supplies

Canada had one of the largest military supplies maker by the end of the war. The women and wounded made all of the supplies during the war.

28. What did Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden introduce in 1917 to ensure Canada had troops to send to war?

From Quiz Canada and WWI

Answer: Military Service Act

The Military Service Act meant that conscription would have to happen. This meant that any young, healthy men in Canada had to go to war. This was introduced because the war was expected to last longer and more reinforcements would be needed because of the British army relying on the Canadian army.

29. What operation took place in the spring of 1917 that was an entire Canadian effort that was a success?

From Quiz The Canadian Soldier in WWI

Answer: Vimy Ridge

The seizure of Vimy ridge was an astounding victory. The Germans were driven from ground they considered impregnable.

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