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Quiz about Siege of Malta in WWII
Quiz about Siege of Malta in WWII

Siege of Malta in WWII Trivia Quiz


Malta's strategic location during World War II meant it was at the centre of the battle for supremacy over the Mediterranean Sea. This quiz covers some of the history of the time.

A multiple-choice quiz by rossian. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
rossian
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
397,104
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
461
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
Last 3 plays: Guest 99 (8/10), Guest 98 (4/10), Guest 96 (10/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Malta is located in the Mediterranean Sea. Which mainland country is it closest to? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Britain's Mediterranean fleet was moved from Malta early in WWII and relocated to which port? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The siege of Malta began on 11 June 1940 when aircraft from which country started bombing raids?

Answer: (One Word)
Question 4 of 10
4. Tha Hal Far Fighter Flight, located on Malta, consisted of Gloster Sea Gladiators. Although there were more than three, what nickname was given to them by local journalists? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Winston Churchill is said to have described Malta as an 'unsinkable' what? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Which German general recognised that being unable to capture Malta could be fatal to their campaign in North Africa? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. What name did the Germans give to their planned invasion of Malta, which never came to fruition? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. The defence of Malta gathered momentum with the appointment of which New Zealand born man as commanding officer of the air forces on the island? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. When did the Siege of Malta come to an end? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Malta was awarded the George Cross in honour of the country's bravery during the siege. Which mythical creature is depicted on Malta's flag as a result? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 24 2024 : Guest 99: 8/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Malta is located in the Mediterranean Sea. Which mainland country is it closest to?

Answer: Italy

Malta is situated only about 50 miles (80 kilometres) to the south of Italy. At the time of WWII, it was a British colony, becoming independent in 1964. Because of its location, Malta was a useful base for the British Mediterranean Fleet, but its proximity to Italy made it vulnerable once the war began.
2. Britain's Mediterranean fleet was moved from Malta early in WWII and relocated to which port?

Answer: Alexandria

The fear of attacks from the Italian Air Force led to Britain moving the Mediterranean Fleet's base to Alexandria, to cover the eastern part of the Mediterranean while France covered the west. The fall of France in 1940 meant that Britain had to patrol the whole of the Mediterranean, with bases at Gibraltar and Alexandria.
3. The siege of Malta began on 11 June 1940 when aircraft from which country started bombing raids?

Answer: Italy

The Axis powers were well aware of the value of Malta as a stopping off and refuelling point for the British forces, and it would have been of equal strategic importance to them. Italy, being so close, was able to launch air attacks against Malta, but these had less impact than originally feared. British forces were still able to move supplies through the Mediterranean and attack the enemy's shipping carrying out the same activities.
4. Tha Hal Far Fighter Flight, located on Malta, consisted of Gloster Sea Gladiators. Although there were more than three, what nickname was given to them by local journalists?

Answer: Faith Hope and Charity

RAF Hal Far was Malta's first airfield, opened in 1929. The aircraft on the island at the outset of the siege were bi-planes, built by Gloster Aircraft Company. Reinforcements, in the form of four Hawker Hurricanes, helped share the workload. The names of 'Faith', 'Hope' and 'Charity' were given to three of the Gladiators, with 'Hope' being lost during an air raid, 'Charity' being shot down and 'Faith' surviving the war.
5. Winston Churchill is said to have described Malta as an 'unsinkable' what?

Answer: Aircraft carrier

The description of islands as 'unsinkable aircraft carriers' has been attributed to several people and places. Malta's position made it an ideal place for basing fighter planes, so the description certainly applies to the island. The air base on Malta was a primary target for both the initial Italian bombardment and the later German one.
6. Which German general recognised that being unable to capture Malta could be fatal to their campaign in North Africa?

Answer: Rommel

Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox, was in charge of the Afrika Corps and tasked with driving the British out of North Africa. He expressed his concerns that a failure to capture Malta would cause difficulties for the Germans since attacks on German shipping created a lack of supplies.
7. What name did the Germans give to their planned invasion of Malta, which never came to fruition?

Answer: Herkules

Operation Herkules was a plan to invade Malta by air and sea to cut off Allied forces' supply routes. Detailed plans had been drawn up, with paratroopers to be dropped by air and amphibious craft bringing more troops by sea. The problems suffered by the Germans during the invasion of Crete, with Göring in particular opposing the plan, meant that Operation Herkules was abandoned in November 1942.

Barbarossa was the code name for the Russian invasion, Sea Lion for the planned invasion of Britain and Juno was a naval operation in the German's Norwegian campaign.
8. The defence of Malta gathered momentum with the appointment of which New Zealand born man as commanding officer of the air forces on the island?

Answer: Keith Park

Sir Keith Park was appointed in July 1942. Having developed the tactic of attacking incoming bombers as early in their approach as possible during the Battle of Britain, Park used the same process in Malta. Enemy aircraft were attacked before they had a chance to reach their targets, reducing the damage they caused.

Of the options listed, only Park came from New Zealand. Montgomery and Dowding were both British and Josip Broz was better known as Tito, later to become leader of Yugoslavia.
9. When did the Siege of Malta come to an end?

Answer: November 1942

By the summer of 1942, Malta had more aircraft available, including over one hundred Spitfires. The Luftwaffe, under the command of Albert Kesselring, stepped up their attacks, but suffered huge losses. By November, Kesselring decided taking Malta was a lost cause, and the long siege was effectively at an end. Allied forces had defeated the Germans at El Alamein, reducing the threat further, and shipping was now reaching Malta without being attacked.
10. Malta was awarded the George Cross in honour of the country's bravery during the siege. Which mythical creature is depicted on Malta's flag as a result?

Answer: Dragon

The George Cross is the civilian version of the Victoria Cross and is only awarded in exceptional circumstances. King George VI confirmed that Malta, as an entity, had been awarded the medal in April 1942. The letter signed by the monarch is held in Valletta's War Museum along with the George Cross. If you know your mythology it might have made the question easier to answer, since St. George, England's patron saint, is renowned for having slain a dragon.

The centre of the George Cross shows George himself, on his horse, putting a dragon to the sword.
Source: Author rossian

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