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Quiz about Military Leaders
Quiz about Military Leaders

Military Leaders Trivia Quiz


A "Who am I?" quiz on famous military leaders in World History.

A multiple-choice quiz by OohYeah. Estimated time: 8 mins.
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Author
OohYeah
Time
8 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
160,285
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
20
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
15 / 20
Plays
9133
Awards
Top 10% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Cheappleasures (18/20), DCW2 (20/20), BigJim67 (17/20).
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Question 1 of 20
1. Who am I? Born in 356 B.C, I never lost a battle in eleven years of combat. Perhaps my greatest tactical manoeuvre was my victory on the river Issus, where my numerically superior foe retreated so quickly, I was able to take his mother, wife and children captive. After conquering much of Asia, I began to return to my European home, but died of illness at the age of 33. Hint


Question 2 of 20
2. Who am I? I fought as a young officer in WWI, earning the Pour le Mérite for leading a bayonet charge against an Italian stronghold. In WWII, I continued to excel in several theaters of the war, being wounded during the fighting after D-Day. After being implicated in a 'treasonous' plot, I committed suicide, and received a full State funeral. Hint


Question 3 of 20
3. Who am I? Known as the 'conqueror of the conqueror', I served my nation's armed forces from a young age, leading my troops to many victories, eventually becoming Prime Minister. I fought my last battle at Waterloo in 1815. Hint


Question 4 of 20
4. Who am I? I was one of the finest Admirals to have ever served on the high seas. My exceptional leadership during the naval battle that pitted the worlds two largest fleets against each other is still studied by modern naval officers. I was killed in battle, aboard my flagship 'Victory', by a sniper positioned on an enemy ship. Hint


Question 5 of 20
5. Who am I? I led my troops to conquer much of Europe. After dispatching my mistress' enemy, the King of Pontus, I said "Veni, Vidi, Vici". I was killed by disloyal political assassins. Hint


Question 6 of 20
6. Who am I? My famous writings on war include the well quoted phrases 'know the enemy, know yourself, and your victory will be inevitable' and 'avoid strength, attack weakness'. My most famous publication has 13 chapters. Hint


Question 7 of 20
7. Who am I? I was born into an influential family on the Onon River in the 12th century. As a military leader, I reorganised my units into groupings of 10. 10 men to a squad, 10 squads to a company, etc. My very mobile army was almost entirely cavalry of one kind or another, half being heavy cavalry, and the remainder being light cavalry archers. I established an empire that lasted for over 150 years. Hint


Question 8 of 20
8. Who am I? A contemporary naval leader, I was missing two fingers on my left hand due to battle injuries suffered as a young officer. Later in life, I was deliberately targeted by enemy fighter planes when the code containing my flight plan was broken. Hint


Question 9 of 20
9. Who am I? I was an illegitimate child of the 18th century. I completely revolutionised my highly disciplined army by replacing ranged weapons for close quarters weapons. Tactically, I used the 'buffalo' formation to great advantage. Later in life I was murdered by my half-brothers. Hint


Question 10 of 20
10. Who am I? A U-boat captain of WWI, I went on to develop the Kriegsmarine's WWII Atlantic "wolfpack" strategy. I succeeded Hitler and surrendered to the Allies. Hint


Question 11 of 20
11. Who am I? An artillery officer, I was used to great effect in quashing domestic rebellion in my home country. I went on to lead my country in many victories across Europe. Leaving my subordinates in charge of annexing Spain, my army suffered major problems. My troops nicknamed me 'the little corporal' due to my leadership presence at the front line. Hint


Question 12 of 20
12. Who am I? Born in Austria in 1889, I showed little promise when I failed high school. Growing up in the pre-war years as a postcard artist, I later served in WWI as an infantry soldier and foot-messenger. I was wounded twice, once as a victim of Allied gas attack. I was decorated for bravery four times. I later went on to have a successful life in politics, leading my party to a slim electoral victory. Hint


Question 13 of 20
13. Born as an illegitimate son to the Duke of Normandy, I was protected from my many enemies by the French King. Invading one of my neighbouring countries, I won the pivotal Battle of Hastings and was crowned King in 1066. Hint


Question 14 of 20
14. Who am I? A Russian General during WWII, I defended Leningrad (now St. Petersberg) and later in 1941 also Moscow against German attack, and later routed the 6th Army at Stalingrad with the same tenacity. I defeated the Germans at Kursk, and led the final assault on Berlin. Hint


Question 15 of 20
15. Who am I? I sustained a fifteen year campaign against the Roman legions, by using innovative cavalry techniques. Rather than wait for the Romans to attack my home Carthage, I invaded Italy with my war elephants. Hint


Question 16 of 20
16. Who am I? I would be the first to say that I am one of the finest frontline commanders of WWII. I came from a wealthy Virginian family with a history of military service. It took me an extra year to eventually pass my exams and graduate from West Point in 1909. I commanded the first ever armoured unit of the United States in 1917, and won the Distinguished Service Medal in 1918. My WWII career was nearly destroyed when I slapped an unwounded soldier who was suffering battle fatigue, calling him a coward. Hint


Question 17 of 20
17. Who am I? A German General, I was mostly responsible for the expansion of the Panzer force in the 1930s. It was my blitzkrieg tactics that resulted in lightning victories in Poland and France. I was sacked by Hitler when I disobeyed his order and withdrew the troops from outside Moscow. Reinstated in 1943, I was again sacked in 1945 for arguing with Hitler over the necessity to accept Allied terms of surrender. Hint


Question 18 of 20
18. One of the founding members of the Chinese Communist Party, I helped organise the creation of the Red Army. Battling against stronger Nationalist forces, I was forced into a six thousand mile retreat, which became known as "the Long March". I declared the People's Republic of China on October 20, 1949. Hint


Question 19 of 20
19. I am arguably the single greatest tank commander in WWII. Initially commanding an armoured car, I graduated to commander of a Stug III self propelled anti-tank gun before being given a Tiger in 1942. I had a confirmed total of 141 tank, and 132 anti tank gun kills to my name. I died in battle towards the end of WWII. Hint


Question 20 of 20
20. I was the first Samurai to unite all of Japan under the leadership of one Daimyo. Born as a peasant, I worked my way up the Samurai ranks, earning the trust and respect of my mentor, Oda Nobunaga. When he was murdered, I avenged his death in true Samurai tradition and gained the title of "Imperial Regent". (The title of "Shogun" was in abeyance at the time). Hint



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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Who am I? Born in 356 B.C, I never lost a battle in eleven years of combat. Perhaps my greatest tactical manoeuvre was my victory on the river Issus, where my numerically superior foe retreated so quickly, I was able to take his mother, wife and children captive. After conquering much of Asia, I began to return to my European home, but died of illness at the age of 33.

Answer: Alexander the Great

At Issus, Alexander the Great personally led a cavalry charge against the headquarters unit of the Persian army, where King Darius himself was commanding his troops. Darius retreated, dooming his troops to failure by leaving his army without an effective command.
2. Who am I? I fought as a young officer in WWI, earning the Pour le Mérite for leading a bayonet charge against an Italian stronghold. In WWII, I continued to excel in several theaters of the war, being wounded during the fighting after D-Day. After being implicated in a 'treasonous' plot, I committed suicide, and received a full State funeral.

Answer: Erwin Rommel

It is now thought by some historians that Rommel was erroneously thought to be implicated in the plot to kill Hitler.
3. Who am I? Known as the 'conqueror of the conqueror', I served my nation's armed forces from a young age, leading my troops to many victories, eventually becoming Prime Minister. I fought my last battle at Waterloo in 1815.

Answer: Arthur Wellesley

Wellesley (Duke of Wellington) became known as the Iron Duke, and after Waterloo went into politics, serving in cabinet and as the British Prime Minister from 1828-30.
4. Who am I? I was one of the finest Admirals to have ever served on the high seas. My exceptional leadership during the naval battle that pitted the worlds two largest fleets against each other is still studied by modern naval officers. I was killed in battle, aboard my flagship 'Victory', by a sniper positioned on an enemy ship.

Answer: Horatio Nelson

Horatio Nelson died at the Battle of Trafalgar. With his last breath, he was heard saying "Now I am satisfied. Thank God, I have done my duty."
5. Who am I? I led my troops to conquer much of Europe. After dispatching my mistress' enemy, the King of Pontus, I said "Veni, Vidi, Vici". I was killed by disloyal political assassins.

Answer: Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar's famous line "Veni, Vidi, Vici" - "I came, I saw, I conquered".
6. Who am I? My famous writings on war include the well quoted phrases 'know the enemy, know yourself, and your victory will be inevitable' and 'avoid strength, attack weakness'. My most famous publication has 13 chapters.

Answer: Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu's book, 'The Art of War' (Ping-fa), was probably written in the fourth century B.C. However, its principles are so fundamental that they remain at the forefront of modern strategic planning.
7. Who am I? I was born into an influential family on the Onon River in the 12th century. As a military leader, I reorganised my units into groupings of 10. 10 men to a squad, 10 squads to a company, etc. My very mobile army was almost entirely cavalry of one kind or another, half being heavy cavalry, and the remainder being light cavalry archers. I established an empire that lasted for over 150 years.

Answer: Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan had a similar military structure to that of Attila the Hun, who had displayed his military genius 500 years before. The difference between the two can best be seen by Attila's lack of succession, evidenced by the collapse of the Hun empire within 20 years of Attila's death.
8. Who am I? A contemporary naval leader, I was missing two fingers on my left hand due to battle injuries suffered as a young officer. Later in life, I was deliberately targeted by enemy fighter planes when the code containing my flight plan was broken.

Answer: Isoroku Yamamoto

Admiral Yamamoto, although strategically opposed to the Pearl Harbor Attack, stated with true samurai conviction: "I do not care for my life, for I am the sword of my Emperor".
9. Who am I? I was an illegitimate child of the 18th century. I completely revolutionised my highly disciplined army by replacing ranged weapons for close quarters weapons. Tactically, I used the 'buffalo' formation to great advantage. Later in life I was murdered by my half-brothers.

Answer: Shaka

Shaka was the king of the Zulus. The name Shaka translates as 'intestinal parasite' or 'bastard'.
10. Who am I? A U-boat captain of WWI, I went on to develop the Kriegsmarine's WWII Atlantic "wolfpack" strategy. I succeeded Hitler and surrendered to the Allies.

Answer: Karl Dönitz

Never a member of the Nazi party, Dönitz was still arrested and convicted of 'crimes against peace' by the Allied powers. He served 10 years in prison.
11. Who am I? An artillery officer, I was used to great effect in quashing domestic rebellion in my home country. I went on to lead my country in many victories across Europe. Leaving my subordinates in charge of annexing Spain, my army suffered major problems. My troops nicknamed me 'the little corporal' due to my leadership presence at the front line.

Answer: Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon earned his heroic nickname by leading a bayonet assault into the Austrian rearguard at Lodi.
12. Who am I? Born in Austria in 1889, I showed little promise when I failed high school. Growing up in the pre-war years as a postcard artist, I later served in WWI as an infantry soldier and foot-messenger. I was wounded twice, once as a victim of Allied gas attack. I was decorated for bravery four times. I later went on to have a successful life in politics, leading my party to a slim electoral victory.

Answer: Adolf Hitler

Hitler's NSDAP emerged as the largest party in both general elections in 1932, the Nazi party becoming the largest voting bloc in the Reichstag, with just over 37% of the votes.
13. Born as an illegitimate son to the Duke of Normandy, I was protected from my many enemies by the French King. Invading one of my neighbouring countries, I won the pivotal Battle of Hastings and was crowned King in 1066.

Answer: William the Conqueror

The British monarchy today are descendants of William the Conqueror.
14. Who am I? A Russian General during WWII, I defended Leningrad (now St. Petersberg) and later in 1941 also Moscow against German attack, and later routed the 6th Army at Stalingrad with the same tenacity. I defeated the Germans at Kursk, and led the final assault on Berlin.

Answer: Georgi Zhukov

Georgi Zhukov went on to support Kruschev in his quest for leadership of the USSR.
15. Who am I? I sustained a fifteen year campaign against the Roman legions, by using innovative cavalry techniques. Rather than wait for the Romans to attack my home Carthage, I invaded Italy with my war elephants.

Answer: Hannibal

Hannibal was eventually beaten after 15 years by the Roman general Scipio Africanus, who used his cavalry to attack Hannibal's flanks and rear.
16. Who am I? I would be the first to say that I am one of the finest frontline commanders of WWII. I came from a wealthy Virginian family with a history of military service. It took me an extra year to eventually pass my exams and graduate from West Point in 1909. I commanded the first ever armoured unit of the United States in 1917, and won the Distinguished Service Medal in 1918. My WWII career was nearly destroyed when I slapped an unwounded soldier who was suffering battle fatigue, calling him a coward.

Answer: George Patton

General Patton turned disaster into victory in North Africa once he assumed command of the badly beaten US II Corps. In Sicily, he beat Montgomery to capture the town of Messina.
17. Who am I? A German General, I was mostly responsible for the expansion of the Panzer force in the 1930s. It was my blitzkrieg tactics that resulted in lightning victories in Poland and France. I was sacked by Hitler when I disobeyed his order and withdrew the troops from outside Moscow. Reinstated in 1943, I was again sacked in 1945 for arguing with Hitler over the necessity to accept Allied terms of surrender.

Answer: Heinz Guderian

Heinz Guderian revolutionised armoured warfare, publishing his views on the value of massed armoured formation in his book 'Achtung Panzer'. Captured by the Americans, his professional military conduct throughout the war saw that he was never considered a war criminal.
18. One of the founding members of the Chinese Communist Party, I helped organise the creation of the Red Army. Battling against stronger Nationalist forces, I was forced into a six thousand mile retreat, which became known as "the Long March". I declared the People's Republic of China on October 20, 1949.

Answer: Mao Zedong

Mao continued as the leader of the PRC until his death in 1976.
19. I am arguably the single greatest tank commander in WWII. Initially commanding an armoured car, I graduated to commander of a Stug III self propelled anti-tank gun before being given a Tiger in 1942. I had a confirmed total of 141 tank, and 132 anti tank gun kills to my name. I died in battle towards the end of WWII.

Answer: Michael Wittmann

In 1944, Michael Wittmann, in his Tiger, went into Villers Bocage on a reconnaissance mission. He stumbled across 4 British Cromwells, of which only one escaped. Along with another Panzer IV, he then approached an entire British Squadron from behind. Michael Wittmann destroyed 23 armoured vehicles alone.

The total number of kills between the two tanks included 4 Sherman Fireflys, 3 Stuarts and 20 Cromwells, along with an assortment of halftracks, bren gun carriers and anti-tank guns.
20. I was the first Samurai to unite all of Japan under the leadership of one Daimyo. Born as a peasant, I worked my way up the Samurai ranks, earning the trust and respect of my mentor, Oda Nobunaga. When he was murdered, I avenged his death in true Samurai tradition and gained the title of "Imperial Regent". (The title of "Shogun" was in abeyance at the time).

Answer: Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Upon Hideyoshi's death, Tokugawa Ieyasu gained power after the pivotal battle of Sekigahara. Ieyasu founded the Tokugawa Shogunate, whose hegemony would last well over 200 years.
Source: Author OohYeah

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