The official AHF WW2 in Africa & the Med quiz thread

Sidi Rezegh · Post by **Sidi Rezegh** » 05 Feb 2005 18:06

What code word was radioed to the surrounded Tobruk garrison during Operation Crusader which ordered that their breakout attempt should commence on November 21, 1941?

G. Trifkovic · Post by **G. Trifkovic** » 05 Feb 2005 18:13

"Pop"?

Cheers,

Gaius

Sidi Rezegh · Post by **Sidi Rezegh** » 06 Feb 2005 00:35

Correct!

G. Trifkovic · Post by **G. Trifkovic** » 06 Feb 2005 23:20

Let's see..

At the begining of the "Operation Battleaxe" British tanks charged the criticaly important Halfaya Pass.Commander of the defenders was one Hauptmann Willhelm Bach. He was later awarded RK for his actions during this episode of war in the desert,which is a bit surprising if we have his pre-war occupation in mind.And that was...?

Cheers,

Gaius

David W · Post by **David W** » 07 Feb 2005 02:03

He was a pastor

G. Trifkovic · Post by **G. Trifkovic** » 07 Feb 2005 02:06

Right on the head,Mr.W! Your turn!

Cheers,

Gaius

David W · Post by **David W** » 07 Feb 2005 02:13

The "Rats of Tobruk" Australian 9th Infantry Division had a nick-name for their commanding officer.
Can you name him, and give his nick-name as well?

G. Trifkovic · Post by **G. Trifkovic** » 07 Feb 2005 02:19

General Leslie Morshead,nicknamed "Ming the Merciless"

Cheers,

Gaius

David W · Post by **David W** » 07 Feb 2005 02:23

I see I must make the next one much harder.

You are right on both counts sir. Please proceed.

G. Trifkovic · Post by **G. Trifkovic** » 07 Feb 2005 02:51

It was a lucky coincidence: only yesterday was I digging info on Aussies and their actions in Tobruk,a bit for the forum and a bit for myself. Lord How-How called the 9th "Ali baba Morshead and his 20,000 thieves"

.If I only had Sulzberger's "Second World War" with me...Book has a nice chapter about Tobruk with lines from diaries of Morshead and of some enlisted guys.One wrote how he enjoyed nights by the Mediterranean sea,sharing tinned beef and a game of cards with a mate and not wanting to be anywhere else but in Tobruk.Morshead wrote something like "We stand here and we shell defend the place to the last,if needed". He kept his word,as we saw...

Ok,back to the topic-Some historians say that the war in the Desert could have been much different ,if only the italian AA gunners haven't been so trigger-happy on 28th of June 1940 when they downed an Italian plane above Tobruk.Whom have they shot down?

Cheers,

GAius

JeffreyF · Post by **JeffreyF** » 07 Feb 2005 04:06

Italo Balbo.

Name the island British commandos took over from it's Italian garrison and were later forced to depart after quick intervention from a nearby Italian base.

FB · Post by FB » 09 Feb 2005 09:35

JeffreyF wrote:Italo Balbo.

Name the island British commandos took over from it's Italian garrison and were later forced to depart after quick intervention from a nearby Italian base.

Castelrosso

Best regards

JeffreyF · Post by **JeffreyF** » 09 Feb 2005 18:11

You are correct sir, har har har.

FB · Post by FB » 10 Feb 2005 13:41

Thanks JeffreyF.

All right next one: who was the Officer that sunk the greatest number of enemy ships single handedly?

Hint: he was not in his navy ranks.

Best regards

G. Trifkovic · Post by **G. Trifkovic** » 10 Feb 2005 14:10

Sorry FB,but which nation? Was he in the air force,or in the navy or in the

coastal batteries?

Gaius