Category: Brain Teasers

Trivia: What was the name of Germany’s first military strategy for WWI?

Anaconda Plan
Schlieffen Plan
Metternich Plan
Hindenburg Plan

Correct Answer: Schlieffen Plan

So why is this answer correct? : Created by German officer Alfred von Schlieffen more than a decade before the war, the Schlieffen Plan called for a quick German military assault to knock out France, followed by a second assault against Russia. It relied on precision timing and had little in the way of contingency plans. When France proved more powerful than expected, the plan became ineffective, and a bloody stalemate set in on the Western Front.

Trivia: What nickname was given to American troops serving in World War I?

G.I. Joes
Uncle Sams
Grunts
Doughboys

Correct Answer: Doughboys

So why is this answer correct? : The “Doughboys” nickname for U.S. soldiers likely predates WWI; it’s believed it originated with the American soldiers who fought in Mexico against the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa in 1916. Soldiers’ uniforms were often covered in white dust from clay adobe homes, spawning the nickname “dobies.” Many of these same troops served in Europe during World War I, and the moniker traveled with them overseas.

Trivia: The all-Black 369th Infantry Regiment was known by what nickname?

Washington Warriors
Harlem Hellfighters
Boston Braves
Philadelphia Powers

Correct Answer: Harlem Hellfighters

So why is this answer correct? : America’s military was strictly segregated during WWI, but several all-Black units served in the conflict. The most famous of these was the 369th Infantry Regiment, better known as the Harlem Hellfighters, who spent more time in combat than any other American unit and received France’s highest award for bravery. The unit also helped introduce jazz to Europe, but despite its many accomplishments, its members, like other Black soldiers, continued to face racism at home after the war.

Trivia: Britain’s Bantam Battalions were composed of what kind of soldiers?

Tall people
Fat people
Skinny people
Short people

Correct Answer: Short people

So why is this answer correct? : You had to be at least 5′ 3″ with a chest size of 34 inches to enlist in the British Army. But a lot of shorter men wanted to enlist, so the British created a special battalion for these volunteers, nicknamed the Bantams after the reputation of the small ferocious birds.

Trivia: America stayed neutral in World War I until Germany threatened what?

Commercial shipping
U.S. Navy ships
U.S. aircraft carriers
New York Harbor

Correct Answer: Commercial shipping

So why is this answer correct? : The U.S. declared neutrality in August 1914. In early 1915, Germany announced it would target all ships that entered the war zone. In March 1917, four U.S. commercial shipping boats were sunk by Germany, and America responded by declaring war in April 1917.

Trivia: Where did the first battle occur in World War I?

Prussia
Britain
Belgium
Serbia

Correct Answer: Belgium

So why is this answer correct? : The troubles had been brewing across Europe for a while, but on August 4, 1914, Germany invaded Belgium. The first official battle of WWI occurred at the Belgian city of Liege. The city was captured by Germany by August 15.

Trivia: What was the original name for tanks?

Mobile forts
Gun runs
Missile carts
Landships

Correct Answer: Landships

So why is this answer correct? : Known then as the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill established the Landships Committee in early 1915. The goal was to create fighting vessels that combined new technology in combustion engines and armor. The name “tank” was the result of secrecy that surrounded the project, which advertised as research into new water tanks.

Trivia: Kleenex was invented to serve what purpose during World War I?

A bandage
A gas mask filter
A gun cleaner
An extra sock layer

Correct Answer: A gas mask filter

So why is this answer correct? : You know it as the brand-name of facial tissue, but during WWI folks carried handkerchiefs instead of tissues. Kleenex was originally invented for use as a gas mask filter. After the war, Kimberly-Clark remarketed Kleenex in 1924 as a makeup remover.

Trivia: Following a steel shortage, what kind of ships were built during WWI?

Concrete
Aluminum
Rubber
Wood

Correct Answer: Concrete

So why is this answer correct? : A side effect of the war was shortages of almost every construction material. Ships were normally built with steel, but shortages prompted improvisation. President Woodrow Wilson ordered the construction of 24 concrete ships. They were completed too late to join the war efforts, but the same concept was applied to make concrete ships used during WWII.

Trivia: Which officially-neutral nation provided aid to the Allied Powers?

China
Turkey
Bulgaria
Sweden

Correct Answer: China

So why is this answer correct? : Despite being officially neutral, over 200,000 Chinese laborers assisted the Allied forces. Volunteers from the Chinese Labour Corps were vital for the Allies’ success in WWI, helping to fill sandbags, load guns, rebuild structures and shuttle ammunition and food. Years later, during WWII, China (an ally of the U.S.) was one of the first countries to join the global fight.