WWII quiz thread

[Lancer44]

In 1940 Polish Army in France consisted of:
1. 1-st Grenadier Division
2. 2-nd Infantry Fusiliers Division
3. 10-th Armoured Cavalry Brigade
The fourth large unit was trained in mountain warfare and finally become part of Allied Expeditionary Force which landed in Norway early 1940.
What was the name of this unit?
It's original destination was not Norway and Narvik, but another country. Which country?

Lancer44

[Lancer44]

OK. No one knows...

Polish Independent Highland Rifle Brigade.
It should go to Finland as part of Allied Expeditionary Corps to fight soviets advancing in Karelia.
Allied Expeditionary Corps - French, British and Polish forces...

Hard to believe?

Thanks to this plans Katyn massacre was approved by Stalin...

Cheers,

Lancer44

[gao_yixing]

ok, so go ahead~

[Jim O]

That's a sad bit of trivia. Stalin was just such a wonderful guy. Ask us another...

[Lancer44]

Originally Posted by Jim O

That's a sad bit of trivia. Stalin was just such a wonderful guy. Ask us another...

Hi Jim,
Yeah, good 'ol Uncle Joe...

Next question is a bit more difficult:

During WWII one of British regiments received privilege of wearing "Crest of Warsaw" distinctive red badge on left sleeve of soldiers and officers uniforms.
Tradition of wearing this badge was continued during post war years and today on the left sleeve of soldiers serving in this British Regiment, one can see crest of Warsaw - siren - women with fish tail, sword and shield.

Which regiment? Please name of regiment and front/campaign in WWII.

P.S.

I just find it funny, that during the time when British were opposite Warsaw Pact forces, one British regiment had Warsaw crest on their sleeves.

[Jim O]

This one I found:

The Queen's Royal Hussars (previously the The Queen's Own Hussars and The Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, and previously The King's Own Hussars) all wear this. This honor was initially awarded to the 7th Hussars by the Commander of the Second Polish Corps in recognition of their valor in support of the Polish Forces during the Italian Campaign in World War II.

The 7th Hussars were detached from the 7th Armored Brigade in Italy to join General Anders and fight alongside his 2nd Polish Corps, their first objective together was to secure the strategic port of "Ancona", two day of hard attritional fighting took place before Ancona fell in all the Germans had in the region of 800 Killed, and over 2000 wounded while we took over 800 prisoners.

The 7th along with their Polish Comrades moved on from Ancona to the Gothic Line and fought side by side until in September 1944 the 7th were again re-tasked and bade farewell to their Polish allies. On October the 10th 1944 the Fine service that the 7th Hussars had given whilst fighting along side the 2nd Polish Corps was recognized and the Commanding Officer Lt-Col R F G Jane received the following Communication from the Corps Commander:

With the approval of Lt-Gen Sir Oliver Leese, Commander of the Eighth Army, my Corps order No. 117 dated 9th October, 1944, confers on your regiment the authority for wearing the Polish Corps sign in commemoration of your regiments distinguished services shoulder to shoulder with the 2nd Polish Corps. In accordance with your wishes i shall forward two plaques as soon as they are completed, to be placed in both the Officers and Sergeants Messes.

I once more wish to thank you most fervently for the magnificent work of your regiment. From june to August, 1944, you played your part in the battles on the Adriatic Coast in an exemplary manner true to the highest tradition of your fine regiment and the British Army.

Your Work and co-operation in many operations, notably those for Monte Torto, Monte la Croce, Monterado and Cerasa will live as fine examples of Heroism and successful action under difficult and trying circumstances.

( Signed ) W. Anders, Lt Gen.

Sources Wikipedia Queen's Own Hussars Museum - Maid of Warsaw

[Lancer44]

Perfect Jim!

Your turn!

Cheers,

Lancer44

P.S.

Actually there was another British Regiment which had the same "Warsaw Maide" on the sleeves, I heard it from my father, but I cannot trace this unit at the moment.

L44

Edited to remove mistakenly entered words "his unit"

[Jim O]

OK. A little bit of trivia for our British friends. What ship was involved in both the Pearl Harbor attack and the Falklands War and what was her eventual fate?

[Lancer44]

Originally Posted by Jim O

OK. A little bit of trivia for our British friends. What ship was involved in both the Pearl Harbor attack and the Falklands War and what was her eventual fate?

Jim, I think we should rise the bar...

She was built as USS Phoenix (CL-46), the sixth of the Brooklyn-classlight cruisers and launched in March 1938. She survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, and was decommissioned from the US Navy (USN) in July 1946. USS Phoenix was sold, with another of her class (USS Boise), to Argentina in October 1951, for $7.8 million. She was renamed 17 de Octubre after an important date for the political party of the then president Juan Perón. Perón was overthrown in 1955, and in 1956 the vessel was renamed General Belgrano (C-4) after General Manuel Belgrano, who had fought for Argentine independence in 1816.

The rest is Wiki...

Regards,

Lancer44

[Jim O]

Your turn...