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War History Trivia

War History Trivia Quizzes

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A look at warfare from Ancient to modern times ....
1,083 War History quizzes and 15,162 War History trivia questions.
1.
  Air Aces by Conflict   popular trivia quiz  
Classification Quiz
 15 Qns
This is a quiz about men who were called 'aces' because of their heroic actions during war time. Although the actual number could differ, it is generally accepted that five air to air victories are required to call a flier an ace.
Average, 15 Qns, spanishliz, Mar 02 24
Average
spanishliz editor
Mar 02 24
256 plays
2.
  Incompetent Old Soldiers    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
They Never Fade Away Fast Enough
Most men who hold the highest rank in their country's armed forces are praised; Hannibal, Alexander, Napoleon, Nelson, to name a few. Then there are the inept, incompetent commanders who were given the high honor of command. This quiz is about the later.
Average, 10 Qns, ncterp, Jul 30 24
Average
ncterp gold member
Jul 30 24
382 plays
3.
  Heroes and Villains of War   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
It is said that confrontation introduces a man to himself. The history of warfare has made heroes and villains of men and women throughout time. Here is a quiz dealing with only a partial group of those who should be remembered for bad as well as good.
Average, 15 Qns, Oddball, Feb 07 17
Average
Oddball
19324 plays
4.
Boots on the Ground
  Boots on the Ground   best quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
In slang usage 'Boots on the Ground' means being or going someplace. In military speak it refers to the number of troops in position. These places where I've had my boots on the ground have all seen significant battles.
Average, 10 Qns, skunkee, Sep 30 24
Average
skunkee gold member
Sep 30 24
2240 plays
5.
  Tales of War: Who Won?   top quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
With all the death and destruction that can be experienced, it is very difficult to feel that anyone wins a war. Throughout history, however, victors have been declared. See if you can correctly match the victor with the conflict.
Easier, 10 Qns, ponycargirl, May 16 17
Easier
ponycargirl editor
2425 plays
6.
  Don't Stop Besieging   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The siege has been a standard tactic in warfare throughout history. This quiz covers some of the best known.
Average, 10 Qns, rossian, Nov 06 11
Average
rossian editor
6246 plays
7.
Tales of the War Pigeon
  Tales of the War Pigeon   best quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
I have heard of war elephants, war horses, and war dogs, but are there really war pigeons? Are you serious? Yes, I am! Pigeons that carry messages are called post pigeons, and when they carry messages during war they become war pigeons!
Average, 10 Qns, ponycargirl, Dec 29 20
Average
ponycargirl editor
Dec 29 20
305 plays
8.
  If Only They Disobeyed Orders   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Generally, you want the military to obey orders. But sometimes the orders are dumb, suicidal, or horrific, and then you want more than blind obedience. This quiz, the result of an author challenge by Buddy1, asks about that particular situation.
Average, 10 Qns, Correspondguy, Sep 28 11
Average
Correspondguy
5172 plays
9.
  Ten Famous Military Commanders   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Do you know these great military leaders who have taken their countries to great heights? I'll give you three clues for each, either serious or ambiguous. See if you can work out each answer. Good luck.
Easier, 10 Qns, Creedy, Mar 03 17
Easier
Creedy gold member
3220 plays
10.
  The Dogs of War editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz on the dogs who have faced battle throughout time.
Average, 10 Qns, stuthehistoryguy, Oct 10 11
Average
stuthehistoryguy gold member
4250 plays
trivia question Quick Question
Made famous in Homer's epic poem, the "Iliad", his one weakness is now used to describe any small but potentially fatal flaw.

From Quiz "Heroes and Villains of War"




11.
Tales of the War Elephant
  Tales of the War Elephant editor best quiz   best quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
In ancient times war elephants were used for shock attacks, and their very presence on the battlefield brought fear and panic to those who did not have them.
Average, 10 Qns, ponycargirl, Jun 16 20
Average
ponycargirl editor
Jun 16 20
341 plays
12.
  Sites of Conflict and Combat   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Human history is full of conflict, but some locations stand out as sites of particular significance. These are famous locations associated with war throughout history and across the world.
Very Easy, 10 Qns, AcrylicInk, Jul 02 20
Recommended for grades: 8,9,10
Very Easy
AcrylicInk gold member
Jul 02 20
1194 plays
13.
  A Tea Time Quiz - Ten Fighting 'T's   great trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Use your tens of minutes tea break to take a trip through hundreds of years of history. Match up these ten descriptions of notable battles beginning with 'T' with the correct name.
Average, 10 Qns, Fifiona81, May 17 17
Average
Fifiona81 editor
1786 plays
14.
  Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men? editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is all about wartime Christmases during the 20th century, including examples from WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. In some cases, the spirit of good will toward men was remembered, in some it was not.
Average, 10 Qns, guitargoddess, Mar 10 10
Average
guitargoddess gold member
4270 plays
15.
  This Is Propaganda   top quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
The motivational catchphrase "Keep Calm and Carry On", derived from a WWII propaganda poster, became familiar in the early 21st century. This quiz asks you to complete or provide other such phrases from posters produced in both world wars.
Easier, 10 Qns, spanishliz, Mar 27 16
Easier
spanishliz editor
934 plays
16.
  They Shall Not Pass   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz covers some of the famous 'last stands' over the centuries, when the defenders stood firm and said 'they shall not pass'.
Average, 10 Qns, rossian, Apr 24 14
Average
rossian editor
2368 plays
17.
  Which Happened First?   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
Most questions require you to choose which event was the first to happen. Sometimes you will be asked to identify the conflict in which something was first used. Questions range from late eighteenth to late twentieth century.
Difficult, 20 Qns, spanishliz, Sep 20 09
Difficult
spanishliz editor
6957 plays
18.
  History Mysteries Part 3   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is Pi's third History quiz and this time it's about war, battles and people and things connected to them. You must decipher the answer from the limericks.
Average, 10 Qns, Calpurnia09, Jul 08 17
Average
Calpurnia09
1303 plays
19.
  The Sun Never Sets on the Wars of the British   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Over the centuries, England/Great Britain/The United Kingdom has fought in many wars. Match the war with the significant opponent.
Very Easy, 10 Qns, bernie73, Mar 01 19
Very Easy
bernie73 gold member
Mar 01 19
945 plays
20.
  History of the World STOP By Telegram STOP   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Imagine the telegraph messages that could have been sent after some of the most influential battles in history! Then, answer the questions, which are not in chronological order.
Average, 10 Qns, nannywoo, Nov 18 13
Average
nannywoo gold member
1113 plays
21.
  But One Life To Give   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz will focus on famous deaths that came in times of war throughout the ages. Can you identify these men or the circumstances of their deaths from the clues given?
Average, 10 Qns, tazman6619, Jun 26 12
Average
tazman6619 gold member
1795 plays
22.
  "By God Sir, I've Lost My Leg!" - Military Quotes   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz takes a look at some of the most famous quotes made by leaders, commanders and soldiers both on and off the field of battle throughout history.
Average, 10 Qns, SisterSeagull, Oct 20 15
Average
SisterSeagull gold member
865 plays
23.
  We Go On, Fighting With Each Other    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The title of this quiz is taken from the lyrics of the song 'We Go On' by The Avalanches. This quiz looks at various conflicts though the course of history.
Average, 10 Qns, mazza47, May 09 22
Average
mazza47 gold member
May 09 22
444 plays
24.
  Twice the Service   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Many of the leading political and military figures of the Second World War had a common experience: the First World War! Answer the questions to find out who did what in World War One.
Easier, 15 Qns, guitarman96, Jun 18 23
Easier
guitarman96
Jun 18 23
2327 plays
25.
  Sally Forth   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The phrase "Sally Forth" means to suddenly advance forward. That's exactly what each side had to do in these ten battles and wars in world history.
Average, 10 Qns, George95, May 21 14
Average
George95 gold member
3105 plays
26.
  No Trespassing   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Throughout history, several armed invasions have failed, often marking the lives of important political figures. Find out about some of them with this quiz. Good luck!
Easier, 10 Qns, Lpez, Dec 27 14
Easier
Lpez gold member
730 plays
27.
  Last Stands   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
When surrounded and hopelessly outnumbered, most warriors choose to surrender, but these didn't.
Average, 10 Qns, qazuhb, Dec 26 15
Average
qazuhb
7937 plays
28.
  All You Need is Relief   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
If you're under siege then you are definitely in need of relief (when a siege ends the town or fortress is said to have been relieved). Here are 10 questions on sieges throughout history - see how much you know about the use of this aspect of warfare.
Average, 10 Qns, HCR1, Jun 29 13
Average
HCR1
532 plays
29.
  Night Falls When The Knight Falls    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Knights are closely associated with bloody battles on horseback, where loss can be like a darkness akin to night fall. These ten battles all involved cavalry regiments where knights fell and night fell.
Average, 10 Qns, 480154st, May 04 21
Average
480154st gold member
May 04 21
333 plays
30.
  Murphy's Laws of Combat   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Capt. Ed Murphy, a noted military historian (not really just go with it), is the man behind Murphy's Laws of Combat. This quiz is his final exam that all West Point graduates must pass. Do you have what it takes to be a member of the Long Gray Line?
Average, 10 Qns, tazman6619, Nov 24 11
Average
tazman6619 gold member
1984 plays
31.
  I Give Up!   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Vanquish your trivia opponents by proving your mettle identifying these defeats and surrenders!
Average, 10 Qns, Mowwow, Feb 01 16
Average
Mowwow
604 plays
32.
  In the Zone   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
In the zone, the combat zone that is. This quiz will focus on war correspondents throughout history and the invaluable service they provided.
Average, 10 Qns, tazman6619, Dec 22 14
Average
tazman6619 gold member
655 plays
33.
  Real Escapes   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
While there have been few prison camp escapes during wartime, there have been some. What do you know about these acts of desperation and courage?
Average, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Oct 17 11
Average
dcpddc478
1445 plays
34.
  Siege Tactics   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Let's have a brief look at sieges and some of strategies used to overcome pesky defences through the ages.
Average, 10 Qns, suomy, Nov 13 19
Average
suomy
Nov 13 19
462 plays
35.
  Charge!   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
"Charge!" by Justin Pollard is an anthology of some strange tales in Military History. You don't have to have read the book to score well and enjoy this quiz - a lively imagination will be a good help as well!
Difficult, 10 Qns, huw27, Jul 13 12
Difficult
huw27
1827 plays
36.
  They Fell at ...?   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
A quiz on some famous or infamous battles in history. Best of luck.
Average, 15 Qns, Fiachra, Feb 25 10
Average
Fiachra
5385 plays
37.
  Left in the Cold: Invading Mother Russia   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz was inspired by a discussion about the difficulty of invading Russia. The following questions concern various attempts at doing just that. Enjoy!
Tough, 10 Qns, klinski_1987, Feb 18 16
Tough
klinski_1987
419 plays
38.
  You Owe Me Restitution!    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Often an armed conflict will end with a treaty. Match the war with the appropriate treaty.
Average, 10 Qns, bernie73, Jul 23 21
Average
bernie73 gold member
Jul 23 21
262 plays
39.
  Metal is My Teacher   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz will focus on references to war history featured in songs performed by Swedish heavy metal band Sabaton.
Easier, 10 Qns, RedHook13, Sep 28 17
Easier
RedHook13 gold member
352 plays
40.
  American Urban Legends Warfare   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
War is a time of uncertainty, fear, and misinformation. It's not surprising, then, than some of the most persistent urban legends come out of these times. How much do you know about the rumors of war?
Tough, 10 Qns, czolgolz, Oct 13 05
Tough
czolgolz
2104 plays
41.
  The Greatest (but not about Ali)   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is my first and deals with some of the greatest commanders in military history.
Tough, 10 Qns, richbowling, Oct 11 21
Tough
richbowling
Oct 11 21
1669 plays
42.
  A Going Concern   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The quiz covers some US military focused "concerns" (jobs/organizations/hardware) that are going (or gone) to history's boneyard. All of them existed within our lifetimes. Well - MY lifetime! Look carefully for hints in the questions!
Average, 10 Qns, goatlockerjoe, Oct 31 16
Average
goatlockerjoe
409 plays
43.
  Military Muddling   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I've been interested in military history for many years. These are a few items which I thought might attract your interest. If you get all the answers correct, well done!
Difficult, 10 Qns, TCEB, Jun 28 09
Difficult
TCEB
1463 plays
44.
  Contemporary Military History    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Military history dating from the later 19th century up to the end of the 20th century.
Average, 10 Qns, charlemagne, Feb 07 03
Average
charlemagne
6683 plays
45.
  Military History    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about military history from way back to now.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Groundskeeper-Willy, Dec 12 10
Difficult
Groundskeeper-Willy
4901 plays
46.
  You Went to War Over WHAT?   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Nations have gone to war over many things, some of them quite noble while others have been a bit on the misguided side. However, this is one will definitely make you scratch your head and say "huh"? I present to you, The Pig War of 1859!
Average, 10 Qns, thelancinator, Mar 29 13
Average
thelancinator
474 plays
47.
  Military Miscellany   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
My interest in all things military is wide-ranging, not to mention erratic. These are a few of my discoveries which I hope you will find interesting or amusing.
Tough, 10 Qns, TCEB, Aug 07 09
Tough
TCEB
845 plays
48.
  History of the Black Watch Regiment   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is intended to be a history of the Famous Black Watch Regiment from its original inception to the end of World War I (1715-1918).
Average, 10 Qns, JJMcGiver, Feb 18 19
Average
JJMcGiver
Feb 18 19
137 plays
49.
  Insurgents and Insurgencies    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Insurgencies are not new. They have occurred throughout history. Here are a few noteworthy ones.
Average, 10 Qns, beterave, Nov 12 12
Average
beterave
369 plays
50.
  Brigade Will Advance!    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This order was given as The Light Brigade moved off on the morning of 25th October 1854, to begin its famous charge. The following quiz will test your knowledge of this event.
Tough, 15 Qns, Mortifer, Oct 26 09
Tough
Mortifer
939 plays
51.
  Could You Command? #3 - Iraq War    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A break from World War II, to a more modern type of warfare. Prepare to be tested in a match of wits, tactic, and firepower. You are Captain Leon. Lead your squad through Al Iskandariya and take control of an enemy controlled air base. (Fictional story)
Average, 10 Qns, Provider92, Sep 15 12
Average
Provider92
679 plays
52.
  Key of Valor    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
None but the brave feature in this quiz; 10 questions about medals and awards for courage.
Average, 10 Qns, darksplash, Jul 21 11
Average
darksplash
403 plays
53.
  Name the Ship (or Year)    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This quiz is about ships which took part in battles in the 20th century.
Difficult, 15 Qns, Pappy84, Apr 18 07
Difficult
Pappy84
1302 plays
54.
  Sharpshooters and Sniping   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Soldiers have employed a respected or despised profession known as sniping throughout history. Here are a few questions about that art.
Tough, 10 Qns, beterave, Nov 20 12
Tough
beterave
327 plays
55.
  Deception in Warfare    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Throughout history, great commanders have relied not only on the strength of arms, but on deception. This quiz looks at some of the examples of deception: tactical, strategic and operational.
Difficult, 10 Qns, StuHern, Jun 05 05
Difficult
StuHern
776 plays
56.
  Conquest and Conflict    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Each question deals with a different conquest or conflict in World History.
Average, 10 Qns, robert362, Dec 03 09
Average
robert362
4609 plays
57.
  Famous Horses and Their Riders    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here is a quiz about famous horses and their riders.
Average, 10 Qns, beterave, Dec 25 12
Average
beterave
546 plays
58.
  Love of Country    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Americans of African descent have made substantial contributions in every war the United States has engaged. Here are some little known highlights.
Tough, 10 Qns, Brooklyn1447, Jun 17 14
Tough
Brooklyn1447 gold member
380 plays
59.
  Important Events, WW I and WW II    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This quiz includes questions pertaining to different events during the 20th and 21st century such as wars, revolutions, treaties and pacts etc. It's all about modern world history. Go enjoy it!
Difficult, 15 Qns, swashbuckler, Oct 20 10
Difficult
swashbuckler
2162 plays
60.
  Burnt Toast and Lumpy Gravy    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A history of how and what US military personnel have been fed. They say an army marches on its stomach!
Difficult, 10 Qns, SatchelPooch, Aug 19 10
Difficult
SatchelPooch gold member
497 plays
61.
  Chieftain MBT: 2    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is about the Chieftain MBT of the British Army during the 60s to the 90s.
Tough, 10 Qns, Trooper2196, Jun 04 11
Tough
Trooper2196
441 plays
Related Topics
  Military Matters [World] (451 quizzes)


War History Trivia Questions

1. Who launched the Crusades?

From Quiz
We Go On, Fighting With Each Other

Answer: Pope Urban II

The Crusades were a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims started by the Roman Catholic Church with the dual aims of securing control of holy sites considered sacred by both parties and wiping out competing religions. The first Crusade was launched by Pope Urban II in response to a request from Emperor Alexius I of Byzantium. There were eight major Crusade expeditions between 1096 and 1291, comprised of bloody, violent, and ruthless conflicts. The judgment of history is that they were unsuccessful, but only after they had claimed an estimated 3,000,000 lives.

2. At the Battle of Blenheim in 1704, which country suffered its first major defeat for 40 years when many of their cavalry were forced into the River Danube, where they drowned?

From Quiz Night Falls When The Knight Falls

Answer: France

The Battle of Blenheim marked the beginning of the end for the French in their plans to eliminate Holy Roman Emperor Leopold from the War of the Spanish Succession by seizing the Habsburg capital of Vienna. Commander of the allied forces, the Duke of Marlborough realised that although his men were vastly outnumbered, the battlefield positioning of the French cavalry did not allow them easy manoeuvrability. The French cavalry were routed by the allied cavalry, who then wheeled left and before the French could regroup, joined forces with the infantry, forcing the French into the Danube. The French losses at this battle were huge, with almost 30,000 troops drowned, killed, wounded and captured but even greater was the loss of the reputation as an invincible army.

3. A buffer zone was created between North and South Korea at the end of the Korean War in 1953. By what name was the area known?

From Quiz Sites of Conflict and Combat

Answer: The Korean Demilitarized Zone

The Korean Demilitarized Zone roughly followed the northern 38th parallel, which was the dividing line between North and South Korea at the end of World War II. As fighting between the two sides came to an end in 1953, both armies moved their troops back by 2 km. The zone stretched for 240 km from one side of the Korean Peninsula to the other. Although there was an agreed limit on the number of military personnel and types of weapons allowed in the zone, there have still been conflicts and a number of deaths there since its creation.

4. Sabaton draws a lot of their inspiration from World War's I and II. For example, the "Cliffs of Gallipoli" were the site of a major battle during World War I. In which modern nation is Gallipoli located?

From Quiz Metal is My Teacher

Answer: Turkey

The "Cliffs of Gallipoli" are a strategic location within the nation of Turkey (Ottoman Empire at the time of WWI). The Gallipoli peninsula is located at the Dardanelles, one of two straits that provide access to the Black Sea from the Aegean Sea. The Battle of Gallipoli was fought during World War I from April 25, 1915-January 9, 1916 and ended as a victory for the Ottoman Empire.

5. There once was a woman named Helen Out of ten she rated eleven Paris loved her madly and 'though it ended badly For a while it was absolute heaven

From Quiz History Mysteries Part 3

Answer: Trojan War

Legend has it that Paris of Troy, in return for choosing Aphrodite to receive a golden apple, was offered the most beautiful woman in the world as his wife. He subsequently met the beautiful Helen of Sparta, wife of King Menelaus, and eloped with her. This led to a confederation of Greek states uniting to attack Troy to get her back. There were ten years of fighting, known as the Trojan War. The result was the total destruction of the city of Troy, the deaths of some of the great Greek heroes, while the fate of Helen is uncertain. Some say she returned to Menelaus, others that she ascended to Olympus while it is also said that she ended in hell. In fact, it is more likely that Troy was attacked and destroyed in one of the many trade wars between the Greek states and those of Asia Minor. In 1868, ruins, thought to be those of Troy, were discovered in modern day Turkey by Heinrich Schliemann, a German archaeologist. Question by Calpurnia09

6. Fought in 480 BC between the Greeks and the invading Persians, what hot battle, though a defeat for the Greeks, is considered the apotheosis of bravery in war?

From Quiz I Give Up!

Answer: Thermopylae

The Greek troops under the leadership of the king of Sparta, Leonidas, numbered at most 7,000. Xerxes I of Persia's army had between 100,000 and 300,000 men. The engagement took place at a narrow coastal passage named the hot gates,or Thermopylae. Initially, this location neutralized the huge Persian advantage. In ferocious fighting, Leonidas held off the Persians for two days. The Spartan king was betrayed by a Greek who told Xerxes of passage that allowed the Persians to outflank the Greeks. Leonidas responded by dismissing all but 1,500 men. Though the small army was annihilated during the battle, it allowed the majority to regroup to fight another day.

7. William Howard Russell is considered by many to be the first modern war correspondent. What conflict did he cover for "The Times" which included his article "The Charge of the Light Brigade," published November 14, 1854?

From Quiz In the Zone

Answer: Crimean War

Russell reported on the conditions faced by the Allied forces in the Crimea and the public in Britain was horrified. His reporting on the care of the wounded reached Florence Nightingale who took 38 women volunteer nurses to the region to care for them. Her work revolutionized nursing and the treatment of battlefield casualties. His article "The Charge of the Light Brigade" was the basis for Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem of the same name. The charge took place on Oct. 25 as part of the Battle of Balaclava. The article was published on Nov. 14 and Tennyson's poem was published on Dec. 9.

8. 1. Cyrus the Great 2. Carpets 3. The sound of a contented cat. With which empire is this great leader associated?

From Quiz Ten Famous Military Commanders

Answer: Persia

Cyrus the Great's birth date is unknown. He died, however, in 530 BC. He was the founder of the First Persian Empire, also known as the Achaemenid Empire, which lasted until 330 BC when it eventually fell to Alexander the Great. Under the leadership and great military prowess of Cyrus the Great, the Persian Empire conquered much of the known ancient world until it grew to become the largest and most powerful empire the world had known up until that time. It included lands we know today as Bulgaria, Macedon, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Kuwait, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Azerbaijan, Armenia and parts of Central Asia, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and India. How astonishing is that? In every land Cyrus the Great conquered, he respected that country's culture and religion and established a form of government in each that worked to the best advantage of its people. What an amazing historical figure!

9. In what American war did Americans of African descent first fight in integrated Army combat units?

From Quiz Love of Country

Answer: The Revolutionary War

George Washington ignored a Continental Congress resolution that barred Americans of African descent from the Continental Army. More than 5,000 Americans of African descent fought for in the Continental Army or in State Militias during the course of the conflict.

10. The Battle of Thermopylae was the famed last stand for King Leonidas against what invading power?

From Quiz Sally Forth

Answer: Persia

After a failed first attempt at conquest, the Persian king Xerxes led what Herodotus estimated at 1.2 million men in an invasion of the Greek peninsula. That number has been lowered by modern historians, down to a more reasonable 60,000 men. Greece was divided at this time, and the militarily strong Greek city of Sparta only sent 300 of their men, led by King Leonidas to help Athens and the other states to hold off the invading Persians. A religious Spartan festival was occurring at the same time of the invasion, and it was believed if Spartans were to miss the festival, they would feel the wrath of God. This festival is believed to have coincided with the invasion, though the Persians did not know about the festival. Though the Persians won at Thermopylae, the Greeks responded with wins at Salamis and Plateca, pushing the Persians back out of Greece.

11. Janissaries defeated STOP Suleiman retreats Constantinople STOP Vienna stands STOP Europe safe STOP. What empire failed to take Austria in 1529, abandoning forever its efforts to conquer and occupy Europe?

From Quiz History of the World STOP By Telegram STOP

Answer: Ottoman Empire

According to military historian Michael Lee Manning, Austria and its allies took advantage of an unusually wet year to prepare Vienna for the advance of the Ottoman Turks under the sultan Suleiman II, and their success proved that Suleiman's famous Janissaries could be defeated. Slaves captured in childhood from Christian countries and trained to be fighting machines, Janissaries were feared as fierce, highly-disciplined warriors. After his failure to take Vienna, Suleiman turned his attention elsewhere, and the threat to Western Europe from outside was eliminated, leaving its nations, in the words of Manning, "to fighting among themselves along Catholic and Protestant lines."

12. What did the Romans do to the city of Carthage when the siege ended in 146 BC?

From Quiz All You Need is Relief

Answer: They completely destroyed the city

The siege of Carthage took place during the Third Punic War and lasted from c.149-146 BC. Taking the city was difficult for the Romans because during the three year siege every building in the city had been fortified resulting in hours of house to house fighting. Once they had taken the city the Romans completely destroyed the city, and enslaved or killed the entire population. Some more recent historians have claimed that the Romans ploughed salt into the earth round the city so that nothing could grow but ancient sources do not support this view. It would have been impossible for them to have renamed it in honour of the Roman Emperor as Rome was a republic at this time and did not have an emperor. (The first emperor was Augustus in 27BC)

13. In 1527, the Swiss Guard made a last stand to protect Pope Clement VII against an attack from which empire?

From Quiz They Shall Not Pass

Answer: Holy Roman Empire

Although now viewed as ceremonial, the Swiss Guards were originally recruited by Pope Julius II in 1506 to act as his personal bodyguards. They were designated as 'Defenders of the Church's Freedom'. His successor, Pope Clement VII, had given his support to the kingdom of France, who were fighting Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor. The Emperor's army had been fighting in Italy, but had not been paid. This led the troops to mutiny and head to the rich pickings to be found in Rome. On 6 May 1527, the forces of the Holy Roman Empire attacked Rome, and 189 Swiss Guards made a last stand against them. Their heroism gave Clement time to escape via a secret passageway, but only forty two Guards survived. The Emperor's army proceeded to sack Rome with their commanders, and the Emperor himself, unable to exert any control over them for several days.

14. "Steady the 93rd... Damn all that eagerness!" was an order issued by Colonel Colin Campbell, commander of the 93rd Highland Regiment as the Russian cavalry charge collapsed at which battle of the Crimean War?

From Quiz "By God Sir, I've Lost My Leg!" - Military Quotes

Answer: Balaklava

After the 93rd Regiment of Foot, the Sutherland Highlanders, had broken the Russian cavalry charge at Balaklava, many of its soldiers were eager to pursue the retreating Russians. Aware of the dangers to the British line should the Russians turn and mount a further attack, Sir Colin shouted this order to the troops lined up to his front. This action at Balaklava was one of a number that took place on that day, the most famous of which was the Charge of the Light Brigade, a disaster for all those cavalrymen that took part. The action by the Sutherland Highlanders was reported by the correspondent William H. Russell writing for his newspaper 'The Times', his report leading to the adoption of the name that the British Army has been known by ever since - 'The Thin Red Line'.

15. Bucephalus was ridden by Alexander the Great. What is the literal translation of that name?

From Quiz Famous Horses and Their Riders

Answer: Ox Head

The literal translation of the name Bucephalus is 'ox head'. Antiquity states that he was a rather large black horse with a massive head. Records furher state that the horse died after the battle of Hydaspes in 326 BC.

16. What is the primary prize that a foreign occupying army should strive for when facing an insurgency?

From Quiz Insurgents and Insurgencies

Answer: The sympathy of the populace

In order to successfully combat an insurgency, the occupying army should strive to gain the support of the populace. This is the number one goal. Defeating the insurgents is secondary and unnecessary if you gain popular support. This is a lesson that has rarely been heeded, much less learned.

17. The term 'sniper' has its origins in British India. What is a 'snipe'?

From Quiz Sharpshooters and Sniping

Answer: a bird

A snipe is a long billed bird known for its swift and erratic flight patterns as well as its ability to camouflage itself. Hunters who could expertly find and shoot these birds became known as snipers.

18. The city of Jerusalem was besieged from 589 BC before falling in 587 BC to which king of Babylon, who is mentioned in the Bible?

From Quiz Don't Stop Besieging

Answer: Nebuchadnezzar II

Nebuchadnezzar had taken control of Jerusalem following an earlier siege in 597 BC and installed Zedekiah as king. Zedekiah had rebelled against Babylon and formed an alliance with Egypt, leading to a siege lasting around eighteen months. Most of the inhabitants of Jerusalem were taken to Babylon as captives while Zedekiah himself, having tried to escape, was forced to watch the execution of his sons before being blinded and taken captive himself. The destruction of Jerusalem is described in the Bible, in Jeremiah 52: 12- 14.

19. The movie "The Great Escape" (1963) depicts the story of the escape of 76 men from a prisoner of war camp during which war?

From Quiz Real Escapes

Answer: World War II

The movie "The Great Escape" is the dramatized version of a personal account of the same name. This book, written by Australian journalist Paul Brickhill, was a first-hand account of the mass escape of 76 Allied soldiers from the Stalag Luft III prisoner of war camp located near the town of Sagan, Poland. The movie, however, is a different matter ... Of the 76 who escaped from the camp, 73 were recaptured. The scale of the escape was such that it was reported to Hitler, who responded by ordering all the 73 recaptured prisoners be shot. In the end the number was reduced to 50. The matter of these illegal executions was raised at Nuremberg as a serious war crime.

20. The highest award that can go to a member of the British armed forces is the Victoria Cross. Which words are inscribed on the medal?

From Quiz Key of Valor

Answer: For Valour

The honour was introduced in 1856 and the first medals were cast in bronze from a Russian gun captured during the Crimean War. It is awarded for "conspicuous bravery" or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.

21. In ancient Athens there stood a grand building called the Stoa Poikile. Its murals depicted a dog bravely intervening in a 490 BCE battle. What was this historic conflict that gave its name to a great footrace?

From Quiz The Dogs of War

Answer: Marathon

The Battle of Marathon saw the Athenians rout invaders from Persia. If the most often cited sources are to be believed, the Athenian victory was spectacular, with the Greeks losing only 203 soldiers against 6,400 Persian dead. In the mural at Stoa Poikile, students of the stoic philosopher Zeno could see the graven image of a dog rushing to his master's side to fight the Persian line.

22. During which war were the first prepackaged rations used in the United States?

From Quiz Burnt Toast and Lumpy Gravy

Answer: World War I

Three different kinds of prepackaged rations were used during World War I: reserve rations, trench rations, and emergency rations. According to the US Army Quartermaster Foundation, a World War I reserve ration (meant to provide a complete food allowance for one man for one day) included "a one-pound can of meat (usually corned beef), two 8-ounce tins of hard bread, 2.4 ounces of sugar, 1.12 ounces of roasted and ground coffee, and 0.16 ounce of salt. It weighed about 2-3/4 pounds and contained about 3300 calories."

23. Pyrrhus of Epirus survived numerous pitched battles, only to be brought down in what way and where ?

From Quiz The Greatest (but not about Ali)

Answer: Struck by a roofing tile in the city of Argos.

It may seem amazing but the man who inspired the term "Pyrrhic victory" died after being hit in the head by a roofing tile in the streets of Argos. He and his men had entered the city by stealth, in the confusion an old woman hurled a roofing tile at Pyrrhus stunning him. An Argive soldier then finished the job in 272 BC. Plutarch can give you a much more detailed account.

24. In 1915 the British, needing control of Lake Tanganyika, despatched two motor launches from England. The journey by sea, rail and over dubious roads was something of an epic. What were the names of the boats?

From Quiz Military Miscellany

Answer: Mimi and Toutou

Their commander - Lt Commander Spicer Simpson - originally called them "Cat" and "Dog", but the Admiralty objected. The journey started in July and ended in October, though the vessels were not launched until December 1915. They sank one of the German vessels and captured another, though Spicer Simpson appears to have carefully avoided the third and major warship. Spicer Simpson appears to have been a very odd fellow. His insistence on wearing a skirt was only part of it!

25. A pioneer of instrument flying who organized and led one of the first counter-attacks on the Japanese Empire in a daring aerial raid in April, 1942.

From Quiz Twice the Service

Answer: General James Doolittle

James "Jimmy" Doolittle spent World War I as a flight instructor throughout the United States. The man who received the Medal of Honor for the 1942 raid on Tokyo kept the U.S. Army supplied with fresh, trained pilots.

26. What was the Chieftain's main tank opponent during the Cold War?

From Quiz Chieftain MBT: 2

Answer: T72

The T72 was the main MBT of the Warsaw Pact forces facing NATO although other versions such as the T54 and T62 were still around in smaller numbers.

27. In a gruesome legend, a POW manages to let his mother know that he's being tortured by his captors. How does he let her know?

From Quiz American Urban Legends Warfare

Answer: He writes a message under the stamp and asks her to save it for his collection.

This legend dates back to the American Civil War, and made appearances in both world wars as well as Vietnam. A POW writes to his mother saying he is fine and will be released when the war is over. He asks his mother to save the stamp for his collection. When she steams off the stamp, she finds his real message: 'They have cut out my tongue' (or, 'they are starving us,' or 'they have cut off my hands,' etc). This story is sometimes called the 'Little Alf' story, as the soldier sometimes tells his mother to save the stamp for Little Alf, who doesn't exist. This horrifying story never actually happened. The Red Cross delivers POW mail for free, and a prisoner wouldn't stamp their own mail at any rate. The families of POWs go through hell waiting and not knowing. In the absence of news, people tend to assume the worst.

28. Which great city was sacked in 146 B.C.?

From Quiz They Fell at ...?

Answer: Carthage

It was sacked by the Romans in the Third Punic War. Out of 700,000 inhabitants only 50,000 survived. They were sold into slavery and the city burned for ten days. Many believe this massacre was the worst systematic slaughter of non-combatants until WW2.

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