The War Years

Question 1

When did World War Two begin?

Answer 1

3rd September 1939

Question 2

Name the Axis Powers

Answer 2

Germany, Italy, Japan

Question 3

Name the Allied Powers

Answer 3

GB, France, USA, USSR, China

Question 4

What was the Phoney War?

Answer 4

8 month period at the start of WWII during which there were no major military land operations on the Western Front.
Began with Germany invading Poland on 1st September 1939 and ended with German attack of France on 10th May 1940.

Question 5

What was Blitzkrieg?

Answer 5

German term for “Lightning War”

German military technique. Quick advances on Eastern and Western Front, followed by blitzing of Britain.

Question 6

What was Operation Barbarossa?

Answer 6

Code name for German Invasion of Soviet Union 1941

Question 7

What had Germany invaded by 1939?

Answer 7

Czechoslovakia, Poland

Question 8

What had Germany invaded by 1940?

Answer 8

Denmark, Norway, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands

Question 9

What was the Battle of Stalingrad?

Answer 9

Successful Soviet defence of the city of Stalingrad

Question 10

What was the Battle of El Alamein?

Answer 10

British victory over Germany?

Question 11

Why were air raids carried out?

Answer 11

To bring an early end to the war by destroying German’s spirits

Question 12

When was Cologne raided?

Answer 12

30th May 1942

Question 13

When was Hamburg raided?

Answer 13

July 1943

Question 14

When was Dresden raided?

Answer 14

February 1945

Question 15

How many Germans were killed due to air raids?

Answer 15

Around 3.5 million

Question 16

Name three effects of air raids

Answer 16

Loss of lives
Destruction of property/homelessness
Can’t work

Question 17

What foods were rationed at the beginning of the war?

Answer 17

Meat, bread, fats and sugar

Question 18

What were Ersatz goods?

Answer 18

Substitute foods to replace rationed items

Eg. Coffee>acorns, fish>rice+onions+fish sauce

Question 19

Name some tactics used by the Nazis to promote civilian food production

Answer 19

Encouraged to plant foods in their gardens
Parks and public areas planted with fruits and vegetables
Encouraged to eat alternative foods, eg. Daisy salad

Question 20

What was the Black Market?

Answer 20

Place where you could easily buy rationed items, eg. Luxury clothes, food and perfume

Question 21

Who were given extra rations and why?

Answer 21

Miners - more energy to produce essential war resources
Blood donors - to get healthy blood
Pregnant women - to produce healthy children

Question 22

Where could Germans get clothing and furniture by the end of the war?

Answer 22

Exchange Centres

Question 23

What were Balcony Pigs?

Answer 23

Berliners growing herbs and vegetables in their gardens or allotments, or keeping chickens or rabbits

Question 24

Where were you less likely to be affected by rationing and why?

Answer 24

The countryside, as you had more room for growing your own food and raising animals.

Question 25

When and what was Gœbbels’ Total War Speech?

Answer 25

February 1943 - in reaction to German defeat at Stalingrad. Encouraged Germans to endure their suffering and resist their enemies.

Question 26

What was the focus in the German War Economy?

Answer 26

War production over consumer goods.

Question 27

Who two people were Minister for Armaments and Production

Answer 27

Fritz Todt followed by Albert Speer in 1943.

Question 28

What did Speer contribute to the War Economy?

Answer 28

Reinforced the drive for Total War by ending consuming goods production and focusing on war production.
Increases industrial productivity

Question 29

When did the German government have to conscript women into the workforce?

Answer 29

January 1943