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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.

Author
beterave

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
336,740

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
457

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. What was the Allied operation to invade North Africa in 1942 called? Hint

Operation Scorch

Operation Torch

Operation Husky

Operation Shoestring

NEXT>

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

green and cocky

well equipped

untested but will prevail

seasoned and ready

NEXT>

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

the terrain was not suited for armoured warfare

the weather and the terrain

they had to rely on the French

German armour was better with experienced crews

NEXT>

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

speed and stealth

cover and alignment

cover and concealment

fire and maneuver

NEXT>

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

he made no major mistakes

he failed to ascertain enemy intentions and lost his nerve

poor reconnaissance and misdirection

poor deployment and piecemeal support

NEXT>

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

German armour quickly advancing

US and German armoured formations fighting

Sidi bou Zidi in ruins and looted

US troops in full retreat

NEXT>

7. Who replaced General Fredendall after Kasserine Pass? Hint

Harmon

Bradley

Patton

Smith

NEXT>

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

America should have listened to its ally

panic spreads easily

American armoured doctrine was flawed

terrain is important

NEXT>

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

they would not dig foxholes

they would not camouflage their equipment

they were not familiar with their weapons

they lacked knowledge of infantry tactics

NEXT>

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

he thought the US soldier and the British soldier were about the same

he had a low opinion of the US soldier

he thought US equipment was good but their tanks inferior

he was impressed but thought they were poorly led

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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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