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The U-boat War Trivia Quiz

This quiz is about German U-boat successes in the Second World War.

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

Author
DutchWWII

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
264,507

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
525

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which ship was torpedoed by the U-30 under the command of Lemp on 3rd September 1939? Hint

Athenia

Ark Royal

Alexandria

Barham

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which ship was the first neutral victim of a mine laid by a German U-boat ? Hint

Alexander van Opstal

Suzon

Solaas

Hoegh Transport

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which British carrier was torpedoed on 17th September 1939. Hint

HMS Victory

HMS Ark Royal

HMS Courageous

HMS Furious

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which U-boat torpedoed the British battleship Royal Oak in Scapa Flow ? Hint

U47

U46

U48

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which U-boat sank the British battleship Barham ? Hint

U 100

U 331

U 101

U 373

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Question 6 of 10

6. The carrier Eagle was torpedoed on 11th August 1942 by which U-boat? Hint

U 73

U 100

U 331

U 148

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which well known British carrier was torpedoed and sunk by the U 81 ? Hint

HMS Ark Royal

HMS Eagle

HMS Victorious

HMS Courageous

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Question 8 of 10

8. The aftermath of the sinking of this troop transport was a turning point in the conduct of the U-boat war ? Hint

Empress of Canada

Viceroy of India

Ceramic

Laconia

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Question 9 of 10

9. On the 24th December 1944 this Belgian troopship was torpedoed by the U 486. Hint

Belgique

Baudoinville

Leopoldsville

Gandia

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which German blockade runner was mistakenly torpedoed by the U 43 ? Hint

Heddernheim

Spreewald

Doggerbank

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which ship was torpedoed by the U-30 under the command of Lemp on 3rd September 1939?

Answer: Athenia

This passanger ship was torpedoed by the U 30 in the Atlantic Ocean. 112 people died. This torpedoing led to a cry of outrage in the world. The logbook of the sinking of the Athenia was altered by the Kriegsmarine (German Navy).

2. Which ship was the first neutral victim of a mine laid by a German U-boat ?

Answer: Alexander van Opstal

This motor ship was sunk on a mine laid by the U 26 commanded by Ewerth on 15th September 1939 near the Shambles light vessel.

3. Which British carrier was torpedoed on 17th September 1939.

Answer: HMS Courageous

The Courageous was torpedoed by the U 29 under Schuhart. The Courageous was sent out without sufficient escorts in a search for German pocket battleships.

4. Which U-boat torpedoed the British battleship Royal Oak in Scapa Flow ?

Answer: U47

In a brilliantly executed, daring attack the U47 torpedoed the Royal Oak, which was at anchor in the naval base at Scapa Flow. It was a gigantic propaganda stunt for the Germans.

5. Which U-boat sank the British battleship Barham ?

Answer: U 331

The Barham was part of Force A and was sunk on 25th November 1941. Captain Cook and 861 of his crew died.

6. The carrier Eagle was torpedoed on 11th August 1942 by which U-boat?

Answer: U 73

The carrier was escorting convoy WS 21S and was torpedoed by the U 73 commanded by Rosenbaum.

7. Which well known British carrier was torpedoed and sunk by the U 81 ?

Answer: HMS Ark Royal

The ship was part of Force H when it was torpedoed by the U 81 under Guggenberger.

8. The aftermath of the sinking of this troop transport was a turning point in the conduct of the U-boat war ?

Answer: Laconia

The Laconia was torpedoed by the U 156 under Hartenstein on 12th September 1942 in the South Atlantic. On board where 1,500 Italian POWs. Hartenstein started a rescue operation, which was aided by several more U-boats. The rescue attempt was broadcasted by radio and red cross flags were shown. Nonetheless the U-boats were attacked by American aircraft.

This fiasco led to the issuing of the 'Laconia order' by the Kriegsmarine. No longer was it permitted to rescue enemy sailors.

9. On the 24th December 1944 this Belgian troopship was torpedoed by the U 486.

Answer: Leopoldsville

This troopship was part of the convoy WEP 3 and was torpedoed by the U 486 under Meyer. 819 men were killed in action and 1555 survived.

10. Which German blockade runner was mistakenly torpedoed by the U 43 ?

Answer: Doggerbank

The Doggerbank was torpedoed on 3rd March 1943 by the U 43 under the command of Schwantke. There was only one survivor. The Doggerbank was the former British Speybank, which had been captured earlier in the war by a German commerce raider and was sent out as an auxiliary minelayer to mine Allied ports oversea.

Source: Author DutchWWII

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