2nd WW2 Cumulative History Quiz

[Dragonlord]

What was the medal given in Germany to women of the Reich, and what were the prerequisites of attaining it?

They were given a Mothers Medal for having a certain amount of children, with different grades (Bronze, Silver, Gold) the more children they had. Don't remember exactly how many, though.... 2,3,5 or so with gold for 5 kids?

All part of the Nazi race policy - lots and lots of little 'Aryans'...

 

[BananaLee]

Close.

I can't remember the name for the medal, left the book in Malaysia.

But mothers were given an award for giving birth to Aryan babies.
Bronze goes to mothers of 4
Silver to mothers of 6
and Gold to all-those breeders who have 8 kids...


Dragonlord, your turn..

 

[Dragonlord]

Just looked it up: it was called the 'Mutterkreuz' and you're right, it was 4,6,8 kids for bronze, silver, gold respectively.

Really, really bizarre....

OK, on a related question (this one is really sick):

What was the 'Lebensborn' ?

Edit: forget the 'really sick' part - just did some googling and found much of what I thought I knew were legends... so what was the Lebensborn really, and what is the legend?

 

[DexterJ]

were those nazi orphanages for children who looked aryan that were taken from their 'inferior' eastern european parents and fostered to good aryan SS parents?

 

[Dragonlord]

were those nazi orphanages for children who looked aryan that were taken from their 'inferior' eastern european parents and fostered to good aryan SS parents?

Correct, though only part of it:

Lebensborn started in 1935 as a foundation for reducing abortions by providing the facilities for anonymous births for single mothers of 'pure Aryan blood', mostly but not limited to the SS. Because of the good facilities, SS wives also liked to use it.
Later, indeed children of Aryan looks (not only eastern european) were raised and fostered as you said - after being stolen from their true parents, it must be remembered.

It's also often said - and this is what I was first thinking of - that the Lebensborn was a kind of 'meeting place', where Aryan women could go to be inseminated by genetically 'perfect' (by Nazi standards) SS officers.
This seems to be a legend though - I found it on some sites, but others specifically cited it as a legend for which no specific instances have ever been found.

Your question, DexterJ

 

[DexterJ]

Hurray!! I rule!!
You'll have to wait for a bit though for my question as my exciting call centre job being bombarded with calls means it'll take a while for me to think of something

 

[DexterJ]

Ok I hope this is not too easy:
What is the significance (ww2-wise) of the city Kuibyshev?

 

[Volum]

It was the reserve capital for the Sovietunion when the Germans threatend Moscow

 

[DexterJ]

yep, they evacuated most of the government personel there when the germans were threatening moscov. Though Uncle Joe wouldnt leave the captital.
was that an easy question? I havent really been on the ww2 quiz thing before.
Your turn Volum

 

[Volum]

Sorry for the delay.

Simply but, what was the GHQ line?

 

[nonconformist]

General Head Quarters?

 

[privatehudson]

IIRC it was a protective line around London and surrounding areas to protect against German invasions.

 

[Volum]

Private Hudson is correct. Your turn

 

[privatehudson]

Thanks

Ok, how did a biblical figure help to "kill" an old German Field Marshal?

And yes, it is a hard question It's not exactly what it might seem at first glance. Clues will be available on request

 

[dgfred]

I request many clues b/c I have no idea of the answer .

 

[privatehudson]

The field marshal in question was twice involved in the invasion of France and was a former cavalryman. He "died" during the Norway campaign.

Note the use of inverted commas, it's important

 

[Rik Meleet]

Von Schlieffen.
His plans died in Norway.

?

 

[privatehudson]

Nah, I think I'll hand this over since it's a bit obscure.

The German heavy cruiser Blucher was sunk near Oslo during WW2 by shore batteries of two 11" guns, some 150mm guns and torpedoes. The Norwegians manning the guns were mostly raw recruits who had precious little training, nonetheless they scored two direct hits with their first two shells, and then proceeded to pummell the ship into submission with the aid of the 150mm battery. Blucher was soon reduced to 5 knots and was burning fiercely before two torpedoes slammed into her, one stopping her dead in the water, the other hitting her own torpedo magazine and causing a huge explosion. She sank quickly, and the heavy fire from the batteries forced the remaining ships (including the pocket battleship Lutzow) to withdraw and land much further from Oslo than had been planned.

Field Marshal Blucher of course had twice (at least) been involved in invading France during 1814 and 1815. He certainly did not die in Norway, but the ship that bore his name did, along with many of her crew and numerous Wermacht and administrative personnel. The 11" guns that did so much damage to the enemy during the fight were ironically built by Krupp and were stationed in a fort called Oskarsborg. They survived having over 500 shells and numerous bombs thrown at her by the Germans and remain there to this day apparently. A testament that some clearly did not learn from the Dardanelles...

And the biblical figure? One of the guns had been nicknamed Joseph

 

[FriendlyFire]

They used Torpedos to sink her ? Were these part of the shore based defences ?

I remember that the Norwegains remained silent allowed the Germans to approach closer believe that the shore based defences had been destroyed. Once the Blucher got close enough to limit her able for evasive movement or to run. The guns opened up again this time wrecking her.

 

[privatehudson]

They used Torpedos to sink her ? Were these part of the shore based defences ?

I believe so yes

I remember that the Norwegains remained silent allowed the Germans to approach closer believe that the shore based defences had been destroyed. Once the Blucher got close enough to limit her able for evasive movement or to run. The guns opened up again this time wrecking her.

Yeah, the narrow passage meant that it was hard to miss such a large target. Nonetheless, for green crews, the sinking of a heavy cruiser without any significant loss yourself is one fine achievement