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Quiz about World War II Operation Code Names
Quiz about World War II Operation Code Names

World War II Operation Code Names Quiz


Most of us know about Operation Overlord (the invasion of Normandy, in case you don't), but that was only one of many operations during the Second World War. Here are a few more.

A photo quiz by reedy. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
reedy
Time
5 mins
Type
Photo Quiz
Quiz #
359,367
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
1371
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 108 (10/10), NETTLES1960 (7/10), gme24 (8/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. In 1940 after the fall of France, Germany launched an operation designed to insert spies and saboteurs into Britain from France and Norway, as the British were now the primary enemy. What did they dub this effort? Hint


photo quiz
Question 2 of 10
2. A daring raid was carried out on the 4th of March, 1941 as a combined force of British and Norwegian soldiers, sailors and engineers attacked the German-held Lofoten Islands and their production of fish oil. What was the name of this operation? Hint


photo quiz
Question 3 of 10
3. Known to the Allies as 'The Channel Dash', what was the name of the German operation that saw a Kriegsmarine squadron successfully run a British blockade in the English Channel starting in Brest, Brittany and getting safely to their bases in Germany? Hint


photo quiz
Question 4 of 10
4. In the fall of 1942, the British began a disinformation operation designed to convince the Germans that they were going to attack Greece and Sardinia (from Africa) in 1943 instead of the intended target, Sicily. What tasty code name was used for this operation? Hint


photo quiz
Question 5 of 10
5. A small raid on the German-held Channel Island of Sark occurred the night of October 3-4, 1942. A mere 10 men infiltrated the island with the intent to reconnoiter, and potentially take German captives. By what name was this operation known? Hint


photo quiz
Question 6 of 10
6. Germany had thrust close towards Moscow in late 1942, establishing a salient (a position in enemy territory vulnerable from three sides) at Rzhev. The Russians came up with a plan to have a multi-pronged attack from all sides of the salient. Which planet shared their name with this operation? Hint


photo quiz
Question 7 of 10
7. The Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino was launched in May of 1944 as part of the Italian Campaign with the intention of breaking the German 'Winter Line' and clearing the route to Rome. It was also meant to tie down German forces in Italy to prevent them from responding to the Normandy landings scheduled for June 6th. By what sparkling name was this operation called? Hint


photo quiz
Question 8 of 10
8. In late September of 1944, Allied forces attempted the largest Airborne operation to date, in combination with a ground force attack, designed primarily to secure bridges across the Maas, the Waal and the Lower Rhine with the intent of encircling Germany's industrial Ruhr region. What was the name of this operation, considered to be a failure with more than 17,000 Allied casualties?

Answer: (Two or Three Words)
photo quiz
Question 9 of 10
9. As the war in Europe slowly drew closer to its end, an operation was launched with the intent of capturing key German cities and to secure a foothold along the Rhine. Under the command of General Omar Bradley, this operation was conducted by the U.S. First Army. What was it called? Hint


photo quiz
Question 10 of 10
10. The final airborne operation of World War II occurred in Italy in support of the final advance to push German forces out of the country (April, 1945). The Italian paratroopers' mission was to wreak havoc among the German lines and prevent a coordinated defence. What fishy name did this operation carry? Hint


photo quiz

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Most Recent Scores
Mar 19 2024 : Guest 108: 10/10
Mar 18 2024 : NETTLES1960: 7/10
Mar 18 2024 : gme24: 8/10
Mar 17 2024 : Guest 78: 5/10
Mar 13 2024 : Guest 47: 7/10
Mar 13 2024 : Montgomery1: 9/10
Mar 01 2024 : Jerman8: 9/10
Feb 29 2024 : Guest 96: 10/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. In 1940 after the fall of France, Germany launched an operation designed to insert spies and saboteurs into Britain from France and Norway, as the British were now the primary enemy. What did they dub this effort?

Answer: Operation Lobster

'Operation Lobster', of course, was translated from the original German name, 'Unternehmen Hummer'. This operation was designed as an information-gathering tool in support of Operation Sea Lion, which was Hitler's plan to invade England. Even after Sea Lion was abandoned, Operation Lobster continued. In all, nearly 20 agents made successful infiltrations.

The photo, of course, depicts a lobster in its pre-cooked natural colouring.
2. A daring raid was carried out on the 4th of March, 1941 as a combined force of British and Norwegian soldiers, sailors and engineers attacked the German-held Lofoten Islands and their production of fish oil. What was the name of this operation?

Answer: Operation Claymore

The importance of fish oil was in the glycerine that could be extracted and subsequently used to produce high explosives. The mission was a success not only in achieving its primary objectives (destroy the fish oil factories and destroy or capture any German or German-controlled Norwegian shipping works), but it also captured a set of rotor wheels for an Enigma cypher machine and its code books.

The image is an engraving from a book showing a Scottish (Macleod) armour with claymore sword.
3. Known to the Allies as 'The Channel Dash', what was the name of the German operation that saw a Kriegsmarine squadron successfully run a British blockade in the English Channel starting in Brest, Brittany and getting safely to their bases in Germany?

Answer: Operation Cerberus

On February 11th, 1942, the squadron of German ships left Brest, managing to travel undetected for twelve hours before contact with the British. With air support provided by the Luftwaffe (Operation Donnerkeil - or Thunderbolt), all of the ships made it back to Germany intact, arriving on the 13th.

With minimal damage to their ships and 17 fighter planes lost, the Germans came through relatively unscathed, while the British had severe damage to one destroyer, and lost 42 aircraft.

The photo shows a William Blake painting of the mythological guardian of the underworld Cerberus. The painting is located in the National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia).
4. In the fall of 1942, the British began a disinformation operation designed to convince the Germans that they were going to attack Greece and Sardinia (from Africa) in 1943 instead of the intended target, Sicily. What tasty code name was used for this operation?

Answer: Operation Mincemeat

The Allied invasion of Sicily (dubbed Operation Husky) occurred in July of 1943. Operation Mincemeat was part of the larger plan (Operation Barclay) designed to misdirect Germany into thinking that an attack would come through the Balkans. The specific goals of Operation Mincemeat were to provide misinformation through a set of documents found on a body 'washed up' on the beach in Spain, giving details of the fake Allied plans.

The operation was deemed a success.

The photo shows a lovely mincemeat mixture.
5. A small raid on the German-held Channel Island of Sark occurred the night of October 3-4, 1942. A mere 10 men infiltrated the island with the intent to reconnoiter, and potentially take German captives. By what name was this operation known?

Answer: Operation Basalt

Finding a troop of 20 German soldiers, the small British team captured five of them as they were sleeping. One of them called out, however, alerting the others, and a firefight ensued. Of the five captured German soldiers, the British ended up killing the one who called out, as well as three others who tried to escape.

The photo is of a Basalt deposit in the Czech Republic. It is called 'Kamenné varhany', which translates as 'rock organ'.
6. Germany had thrust close towards Moscow in late 1942, establishing a salient (a position in enemy territory vulnerable from three sides) at Rzhev. The Russians came up with a plan to have a multi-pronged attack from all sides of the salient. Which planet shared their name with this operation?

Answer: Operation Mars

Operation Mars was dragged out from the 25th of November until the 20th of December, 1942. It was a complete failure, as Russian forces were unable to accomplish any of their goals. Along with other failed offensives in the area between January (1942) and March (1943), the region became known as the Rzhev meat grinder for its high number of casualties (especially on the side of the Russians).

The photo is of Mars as taken by the Hubble telescope.
7. The Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino was launched in May of 1944 as part of the Italian Campaign with the intention of breaking the German 'Winter Line' and clearing the route to Rome. It was also meant to tie down German forces in Italy to prevent them from responding to the Normandy landings scheduled for June 6th. By what sparkling name was this operation called?

Answer: Operation Diadem

Operation Diadem was launched on the 11th of May, 1944 along with the supporting Air Operation Strangle (aimed at German supply lines). The large number of troops needed for this large operation required two months of workup, bringing in units in small groups to keep the elements of secrecy and surprise.

It was a combined effort of Allied troops including British, Americans, Polish, French, New Zealand, and South African forces.
8. In late September of 1944, Allied forces attempted the largest Airborne operation to date, in combination with a ground force attack, designed primarily to secure bridges across the Maas, the Waal and the Lower Rhine with the intent of encircling Germany's industrial Ruhr region. What was the name of this operation, considered to be a failure with more than 17,000 Allied casualties?

Answer: Operation Market Garden

Operation Market Garden's two-pronged plan included the Airborne attack (Market) coupled with a ground attack (Garden). The operation was launched on September 17th, and by the 25th was done. The failure was due to a combination of strong German resistance (with good intelligence on Allied plans) and breakdowns in Allied communication and timings not being met (the ground assault took longer than planned to support Airborne troops behind enemy lines). This led to high casualty rates among the Airborne divisions.

Of course, that is only a simplistic summary of Market Garden's operational failure. I would encourage you to look at some of the many resources online on the subject to get more indepth information as to all of the causes.

The photo is a of a lovely farmer's market.
9. As the war in Europe slowly drew closer to its end, an operation was launched with the intent of capturing key German cities and to secure a foothold along the Rhine. Under the command of General Omar Bradley, this operation was conducted by the U.S. First Army. What was it called?

Answer: Operation Lumberjack

Operation Lumberjack took place in the first week of March, 1945 and was a success, with the Germans pushed back and Allied forces taking Euskirchen by March 4th, and Cologne by March 5th. The U.S. soldiers were pleased to discover an intact rail bridge as they pushed through to Remagen, which they captured, preventing German counterattacks from destroying their prize.

The photo is of a lumberjack hard at work.
10. The final airborne operation of World War II occurred in Italy in support of the final advance to push German forces out of the country (April, 1945). The Italian paratroopers' mission was to wreak havoc among the German lines and prevent a coordinated defence. What fishy name did this operation carry?

Answer: Operation Herring

Operation Herring took longer to effect than the plan called for - 72 hours instead of the planned 36 - but it was still a success. The highlight of the operation was the seizure of two towns by two squads of paratroopers (18 men) and the capture of 451 German soldiers! In total, the Italians lost 31 men, with a further 12 injured, in the course of the operation.

The photo depicts a catch of herring - no pickling or salting yet!
Source: Author reedy

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