2nd WW2 Cumulative History Quiz

[Wotan]

Are the stars supposed to be the southern cross?

OK, over to a question. "Everyone" knows that the two artificial harbours constructed for the d-day landing were called Mulberries. But what were the artificial airstrips planned for use in operation "Overlord"called? They where never built but was designed to be used as floating airstrips for close support fighters.

 

[YNCS]

Yes. New Caledonia is south of the equator.

 

[YNCS]

YNCS: German torpedoes were propelled with electricity G7e types (T III, T IIIa FAT II, T V). Only the type T I (G7) was propelled with alcohol. But since it had a trace the torpedo was only used by night or against targets in long distances (up to 12,5 sm). German aitr torpedoes (LT 1A, LT 2, LT 950) were propelled by a certain fuel without alcohol.
So all in all bad chances to get a drink in the German Navy...

I'm sorry, I should have said that all American torpedoes were alcohol fueled. Which isn't actually correct. The MK18 aerial torpedo and MK20 submarine torpedo, both introduced into the U.S. Navy in 1944, were electrically powered.

 

[YNCS]

Since nobody has posted a question in over 24 hours, here's one.

What distinction did the Italian battleship Italia (ex-Littorio) achieve in 1943?

 

[Wotan]

There is a question in post #681!

 

[BananaLee]

Mi Re Do.
Haha

I've got no idea.
Wild guess is "thistle?"

 

[dgfred]

Americal, in the pacific theatre

Great answer Wotan . We were both right, but you were righter .

 

[Serutan]

On Wotan's question - There was a (failed) scheme for making a
floating airbase out of an iceberg, but I thought that was for
anti-submarine warfare based near Greenland...

 

[Wotan]

Nope, not built out of ice. And not named "thistle".

EDIT: I guess this is one of those questions where google just wont help you, hehe. A couple of hints or at least helpful bits of info to guide you in the right direction.

1. The "mad inventor" behind this design produced several plans for equipment in connection with Operation Overlord. One of his plans was codenamed "Swiss Roll" and it was an alternative to the Mulberry, a "floating roadway". It sort of made it to the landings as part of Mulberry "B", built by the Admiralty and used as their own pier to bring ashore men and supplies.

2. The floating airstrip was sponsored by the DMWD (Department of Miscellaneous Weapons Department) but never made it past trials.

 

[YNCS]

Sorry, Wotan. I didn't see your question.

The DMWD (aka "Wheezers and Dodgers") was a highly irregular group of scientists and engineers gathered together to develop innovative weapons outside of normal channels. One of their most famous inventions was "The Great Panjandrum." This was a device designed to blow holes in coastal fortifications. It consisted of an explosive filled drum with a 10 foot diameter wheel on either end. Each wheel had ten cordite rockets attached for propulsion. The Great Panjandrum was to be launched from a landing craft, roar up the beach, hit the target and then explode. It was guided by two cables which operated brakes on each wheel. There is a film, which is sometimes shown in history documentaries, of a prototype in action with Neville Shute Norway (the author) operating the brake cables. In the film the Great Panjandrum goes straight for about 15 feet, then Shute Norway engages a brake. The infernal engine makes a 540º turn and then heads straight toward the audience of VIPs. Things get rather exciting at that point. There were no casualities, except to the egos of various admirals, generals and bureaucrats.

Here's a picture of The Great Panjandrum.

 

[cidknee]

ive seen that video... its awesome.

 

[Wotan]

Almost 72 hrs. I guess no one will come forward with the answer. So here goes...

The remarkable RM Hamilton was the man behind this magnificent example of human ingenuity. Many of the plans worked on and tried by the DMWD had its origin in his pen and mind. The floating airfield I asked for was called "Lily". I have only found a single webpage that actually mention it and YNCS text about the Panjandrum gave a very good hint, well buried but still a hint. The page mentioning the Lily was in a biography on Neville Shute Norway. He was at a test site where the Lily was being tested. I guess YNCS knew the answer but since he had the last question he could not answer it and thus gave a helping hand.

Serutan was touching on another "failed" scheme for Operation Overlord. Shaping an iceberg into a floating airfield and towing it to the English Channel. The name of that project was Habakkuk BTW.

So, an easy question to get this thread going again. Easily googled if you would... What was the Knutsford Affair all about?

 

[wildWolverine]

un-googled answer: Patton was speaking to a women's club, and spoke about the post-war Anglo-American world... rather slighting the Soviet Union's contribution to the downfall of the Third Reich. It almost cost Patton the command of the Third Army.

 

[Wotan]

Right you are, wildWolverine. One could add that not only did he step on soviet toes but the toes stepped on that probably squealed loudest were frog toes. The french have a long history of being saved by the anglo-americans but never failing to regard themselves as "Primus inter Pares".

A friend of mine went through school in France and was very surprised when she learned that the d-day landings was not a major french operation with some assistance by english and american forces. Her understanding was that France more or less liberated themselves, at least that was what she had been taught... LOL

 

[cidknee]

Right you are, wildWolverine. One could add that not only did he step on soviet toes but the toes stepped on that probably squealed loudest were frog toes. The french have a long history of being saved by the anglo-americans but never failing to regard themselves as "Primus inter Pares".

A friend of mine went through school in France and was very surprised when she learned that the d-day landings was not a major french operation with some assistance by english and american forces. Her understanding was that France more or less liberated themselves, at least that was what she had been taught... LOL

iv e heard that from many people in the French forces. But thats ok, all they have to do is cross a channel( or chunnel) and learn the real story. But then again, surf the web and Im sure they will learn the truth.

Patton was..... a character, to put it mildly. One of my favorite generals, if for nothing else than his quotes. " kill em all, let god sort em out".

 

[steviejay]

"patriotism isn't dying for your country, it's making the other bas***d die for his!"

yeah I'll agree with that, he was certainly..... colourful

 

[wildWolverine]

Perhaps Patton was less colorful then he has been portrayed in certain media outlets (<cough><cough>MOVIES! SCOTT!<cough><cough>). At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I would strongly recommend D'Este's Patton: A Genius for War if you want to learn more about the substance behind the "color".

<Gets off soapbox>

Question: What/Where is this picture depicting?

I would prefer no googling for this. I can give hints if it proves too difficult (although with this coastline, someone will probably recognize it).

 

[YNCS]

It's obviously a Pacific atoll with a fortified central mountain and two airfields. Which specific atoll it is I'm not sure, but I think it's Iwo Jima.

 

[cidknee]

I second the Iwo Vote....I just watched a thing on military channel about it and thats almost the map that they showed.Least as much as I can remember...

 

[wildWolverine]

Iwo is much more 'solid':

First Hints: