War and Military Trivia About Holy Roman Empire, World War II, General Robert E. Lee, Napoleon Bonaparte, Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, Osprey, German U-boats and More!

 

War and Military trivia questions and answers about Custer, German U-boats, Napoleon, Blackbeard, Battle of Waterloo, Harper's Ferry and more.

What European country--the last surviving monarchy of the Holy Roman Empire--hasn't had an army since 1868?
A: Liechtenstein.

What was the name of Japanese propagandist Tokyo Rose's world War II radio show for U.S. servicemen in the Pacific?
A: Zero Hour.

Why did the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) play the opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony in all its broadcasts to Europe during world War II?
A: Because its familiar "dah-dah-dah-DAAAAH" opening is the same as Morse code for the letter V (dot-dot-dot-dash)--The symbol adopted for "victory."

What was the name of General Robert E. Lee's favorite horse before he bought it for $175 and rechristened it Traveler?
A: Jeff Davis.

Before going into battle, what did he notorious pirate Blackbeard put under his tricorn to frighten those he ws attacking?
A: Slow-burning fuses that would wreath his head in black smoke.

What were the names of the horses ridden by Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo.
A: Napoleon rode the white stallion Marengo; Wellington, the chestnut Copenhagen. Both men named their mounts after famous battle sites where they had been victorious.

What bird's name has been given to the U.S. Marine tilt-rotor transport that takes off and lands like helicopter, but flies like an airplane?
A: Osprey. The aircraft is also known as the V-22.

What were the Q-ships put to sea by the United Sates and Britain during World War I?
A: They were heavily armed warships camouflaged as harmless merchant vessels, which were used to lure German U-boats to their destruction. When a German submarine surfaced to attack (saving its torpedoes for armed vessels), the Q-ship dropped its dummy bulwarks and opened fire.

Who led the U.S. marine detachment that captured abolitionist John Brown following is 1859 raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry?
A: Robert E. Lee, then a colonel.

What was the full name of the V-2 rocket developed by Wernher von Braun for the Germans during World War II?
A: Vergeltungswaffe Zwei--Revenge Weapon Two.

What was the only southern town to remain in Union hands throughout the Civil ware?
A: Key West, Florida, the southern most city in the continental United States.

Who was the fuehrer of Germany when World War II ended?
A: Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz, Hitler appointd Doenitz before taking his own life a week before the Nazi surrender.

In the event of a nuclear holocaust, what artifact did architect Frank Lloyd Wright believe would be excavated in great quantity from the ruins of twentieth-century civilization?
A: The vitreous china toilet bowl.

What entertainer sold more U.S. war bonds than anyone else during World War II?
A: Kate "God Bless America" Smith. She sold $600 million worth.

Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer paid a $127.80 premium for a life insurance policy in 1874, two years before the Battle of Little Bighorn. How much was his coverage?
A: It was for $5,000.

By what name did Chief Crazy Horse know the Little Bighorn River, the scene of Custer's last stand?
A: The Greasy Grass River.

At a 1986 auction, what was the winning bid for two arrows from the Battle of Little Bighorn?
A: $17,000.