WWII Forums Quiz Part VII

[macrusk]

Operation Clipper, but I read it as XXX Corps alongs with 1 British Division the 43rd and the US 84th Infantry Division.

During World War II, Operation Clipper was an Allied offensive by British XXX Corps (including the American 84th Infantry Division) to reduce the Geilenkirchen salient in mid November, 1944. Clipper was a part of a wider U.S. operation to gain control of the Roer valley and the Hurtgen Forest.
Geilenkirchen is situated on the Wurm river, some twenty kilometres north of Aachen. The surrounding area is undulating, alternating between woodland, farmland and industrial villages. The area was crossed by a network of passable minor roads, some major roads and a railway line. The Wurm is the major geographic feature.
The salient was a German position on the Siegfried Line (or Westwall) at the boundary between the British 2nd Army and the U.S. 9th Army. It was a restriction to the movement of Allied forces and a potential threat. Operation Clipper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Sgt.pepper]

Very right. My bad , my book says the two divisions were from XXX corps and the british 2nd army? Maybe a bad typo of some sort. But its close enough. Unless im reading my book wrong anyways your go I had trouble finding a question anyways

[macrusk]

Thanks, Cameron! I know what you mean about questions. I find it easier to find the answer than it is to come up with a question! However, I did come up with one:

What was the Operation in which Australians first saw combat in World War II? And can you pass on any information about it?

[skunk works]

Operation Compass ? If so... there is Boo-Koo information on that. A feather in the cap of Australia (and rightly so), as they and the rest of the Commonwealth pushed the Italian/Axis West across most of the Northern part of Africa. Capturing a phenomenal amount of enemy troops.

[macrusk]

You got it, SW! Operation Compass - West Desert Force in Operation Compass - World War II Operation Compass in North Africa - British Victory in Cyrenaica Libya

Your go.

[skunk works]

V-1s usually flew at 300+ mph, which meant it took a well timed diving attack by a swift aircraft (and good shooting) to take one out. Meaning a Spitfire IX & XIV, P's 51/47, and Typhoon.
Some improvements for the V-1 made some even faster. What was the fastest recorded level flight for a V-1 ?

[mikebatzel]

700 Km/h
429 MPH

[skunk works]

Close enough, my source said 440, but.....you know.....who knows.

[mikebatzel]

I couldn't find anything so I took the average top speed and increased it 10% to find the answer.
Who was the only winner of the Medal of Honor on D-day to survive the war?

[Slipdigit]

Pvt. Carlton W. Barrett, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division.



For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, in the vicinity of St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France. On the morning of D-day Pvt. Barrett, landing in the face of extremely heavy enemy fire, was forced to wade ashore through neck-deep water. Disregarding the personal danger, he returned to the surf again and again to assist his floundering comrades and save them from drowning. Refusing to remain pinned down by the intense barrage of small-arms and mortar fire poured at the landing points, Pvt. Barrett, working with fierce determination, saved many lives by carrying casualties to an evacuation boat Iying offshore. In addition to his assigned mission as guide, he carried dispatches the length of the fire-swept beach; he assisted the wounded; he calmed the shocked; he arose as a leader in the stress of the occasion. His coolness and his dauntless daring courage while constantly risking his life during a period of many hours had an inestimable effect on his comrades and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

[mikebatzel]

You got it Slip,
Throw out another

[Slipdigit]

What large group of soldiers were referred to as "Blue Star Commandos" by some front line troops.

This one may be a bit obscure, so I'll go ahead and give a hint. The term comes from the design of their shoulder insignia.

[mikebatzel]

Gee Jeff, I can't find a thing. Another hint?

[Slipdigit]

Look at shoulder patches of upper level formations.

[Slipdigit]

Really upper level, the service commands.

[Slipdigit]

This particular group was created 28 Feb 1942 and was renamed 12 Mar 1943. The command consisted of the Corps of Engineers, Signal Corps, Oridinance Department, Quartermaster Corps, Chemical Warfare Service and the Medical Corps, but interestingly to me, not the Transportation Corps.

[Slipdigit]

The first commander of this force was Lt Gen Brehon Burke Somervell.

[skunk works]

The name goes with the "Quartermaster Corp", yet I've found nothing with a "Blue Star" with the exception of a "Service Flag".
I've heard the song..."His face is pale, but that's from Ale, unless I miss my guess. Mother take down your service flag, your son's in the S.O.S."
An Uncle who was, taught me that.
I'm unsure what you require here? Fuel, supply, graves registration?

[Slipdigit]

One final hint.

The US Army was divided broadly into three component parts
1. Army Ground Forces

2. Army Air Forces

3. Army _______ Forces