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Quiz about Kasserine Pass Baptism of Fire
Quiz about Kasserine Pass Baptism of Fire

Kasserine Pass: Baptism of Fire Quiz


The title is from a book I read years ago about the US Army's first battle against seasoned German troops in WWII. I could not come up with a title more appropriate. Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by beterave. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
beterave
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
336,740
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
474
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 96 (6/10), Guest 1 (7/10), Guest 74 (3/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. What was the Allied operation to invade North Africa in 1942 called? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. What did the British High Command insist that the untested US soldiers were? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The US 1st Armoured Division was well trained by pre-war standards. What major problem did they face at Kasserine Pass? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. The US did have Sherman tanks at Kasserine Pass. How did the US tank crews fail to take advantage of this tank? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. General Fredendall was the US commander at Kasserine Pass. What major mistakes did he make that day during the German attack? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. What did the US 2nd Armoured Division see as it attempted to restore order at Sidi bou Zid? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Who replaced General Fredendall after Kasserine Pass? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. What vital lesson was learned from Kasserine Pass? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. The inexperience of the US infantry was obvious. What did the British notice about the GIs that stood out? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. What did Rommel think of the US Army after Kasserine Pass? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 13 2024 : Guest 96: 6/10
Feb 24 2024 : Guest 1: 7/10
Feb 13 2024 : Guest 74: 3/10
Feb 13 2024 : Guest 24: 7/10
Feb 11 2024 : Guest 98: 6/10
Feb 06 2024 : Guest 79: 6/10
Jan 31 2024 : Guest 193: 10/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. What was the Allied operation to invade North Africa in 1942 called?

Answer: Operation Torch

The operation to invade North Africa in November of 1942 was called, Operation Torch. It was the first major land offensive by combined US and British troops in WWII against Germany and Italy.
2. What did the British High Command insist that the untested US soldiers were?

Answer: green and cocky

The British (veterans of El Alamein) were not impressed by the material might of the US Army. They immediately saw green and untested troops who were a bit too cocky for their liking because they had yet to face a real nemesis in the German Africa Corps.
3. The US 1st Armoured Division was well trained by pre-war standards. What major problem did they face at Kasserine Pass?

Answer: German armour was better with experienced crews

The major problem the US 1st Armoured Division faced at Kasserine Pass was not only a superior tank in the Panzer MK IV but also veteran crews from the Africa Corps.
4. The US did have Sherman tanks at Kasserine Pass. How did the US tank crews fail to take advantage of this tank?

Answer: fire and maneuver

If the US tank crews had used the armoured doctrine of fire and maneuver,they would have fully utilized the Sherman's 75mm gun against the German armour. Instead, they were picked off on at a time by concentrated fire.
5. General Fredendall was the US commander at Kasserine Pass. What major mistakes did he make that day during the German attack?

Answer: poor deployment and piecemeal support

General Fredendall made two glaring errors that day: he deployed his troops on two isolated hills so neither could support the other and he attempted to support them with armour piecemeal. The Germans surrounded both positions and decimated the armoured columns that attempted to come to their support.
6. What did the US 2nd Armoured Division see as it attempted to restore order at Sidi bou Zid?

Answer: US troops in full retreat

General Harmon (CO of the 2nd Armoured) was astounded to see, 'a US Army in rout'. Anything that had four wheels was moving away from the front at full speed. His command vehicle was almost run off the road twice!
7. Who replaced General Fredendall after Kasserine Pass?

Answer: Patton

General George Patton replaced Fredendall after Kasserine Pass and assumed command of the II Corps. This was the beginning of a legend.
8. What vital lesson was learned from Kasserine Pass?

Answer: American armoured doctrine was flawed

Kasserine Pass saw the defeat of US forces against a veteran Africa Corps. The one vital lesson learned from that engagement was our armoured doctrine was flawed. Armour cannot be committed piecemeal and you need infantry to support it.
9. The inexperience of the US infantry was obvious. What did the British notice about the GIs that stood out?

Answer: they would not dig foxholes

The British were astounded that the US infantryman would not dig himself a foxhole. For whatever reasons, a shallow slit trench was preferred. This position offered no protection against air or armoured attacks. No one took this advice serious until after Kasserine Pass.
10. What did Rommel think of the US Army after Kasserine Pass?

Answer: he had a low opinion of the US soldier

Rommel was unimpressed by the poor performance of the US soldier and thought their equipment was equally inferior. This opinion remained unchanged until the Normandy Campaign.
Source: Author beterave

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