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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to the author, what makes Medjez-el-Bab a strategically important location?
(a) It has several large airfields and whomever controls the air, controls North Africa.
(b) It is 30 miles from Tunis and straddles the Medjerda River.
(c) Located on a high plateau, it is easily defended.
(d) Through it is the sole land route to Tunis.

2. What best describes the enemy structure referred to as the 'Kasbah' by Americans?
(a) A sixteenth-century Portuguese fortress.
(b) A beach resort used as a French command center.
(c) A large barn temporarily used as U.S. Army barracks.
(d) A tower originally built during the crusades now used by a nest of snipers.

3. What new piece of highly effective German equipment was introduced in the battle of November 26th in the Tine Valley?
(a) The Bazooka.
(b) An armor peircing long-barreled 75mm gun mounted on Panzers.
(c) Rocket launchers on tracks.
(d) Wing mounted anti-personnel guns.

4. TORCH is considered by the author to have been:
(a) "Primarily a diversionary tactic to relieve pressure on the Soviet Union."
(b) "The single worst tactical decision of the war."
(c) "The most daring amphibious operation in the history of modern warfare."
(d) "Poorly planned but excellently executed."

5. What was operation RESERVIST?
(a) A clandestine mission launched by Patton.
(b) A bombing attack from Gibraltar bases on Axis ports in North Africa.
(c) A British plan to forestall the sabotage of Oran's port.
(d) An Allied plan that spread forces across north Tunisia.

6. Whose personal credo is: "Always do whatever you can to keep your superior from making a mistake."
(a) Colonel Paul Robinett.
(b) Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.
(c) Lt. General George Patton.
(d) Major General J.S. Nichols.

7. What is Ultra?
(a) The intelligence gathered through British decipherment of coded German radio messages.
(b) The codename for the bazooka.
(c) The name of the U.S. Secret Service in World War II.
(d) A clandestine plan to land a group of American conspirators behind enemy lines in North Africa.

8. What plan did Colonel Frank Greer suggest that was countermanded by Terry Allen?
(a) Utilize the hill as a defilade and wait for tank support.
(b) Circle the town and cut if off from it's supply of troops from Oran.
(c) A creeping artillery barrage through the town of St. Cloud.
(d) A building by building guerrilla campaign by infantry.

9. How many platoons had Eisenhower commanded in battle prior to the start of World War II?
(a) Ten.
(b) Three.
(c) None.
(d) One.

10. In the winter of 1942, which Nation proved the dominant Air force in North Africa?
(a) France.
(b) Britain.
(c) Germany.
(d) America.

11. The Tine River Valley, where Luftwaffe pilots were attacking about once per hour, was nicknamed what by the troops of the 1st Battalion?
(a) The Mess.
(b) The Firing Range.
(c) Happy Valley.
(d) Uncle Adolf's.

12. According to Rear Admiral Bennett, the RESERVIST plan was:
(a) "Strategically unimportant to winning the war."
(b) "Excessive."
(c) "A moral building excercise."
(d) "Suicidal and absolutely unsound."

13. What written warning from superiors did Commander Terry Allen burn?
(a) That the British planned to outflank him.
(b) That the French would show resolve in repelling the attack.
(c) That aircover would not be provided.
(d) That the French should not be considered hostile.

14. According to the author, why was Allen's decision important in a historical context?
(a) It was the most complicated coordination of tanks and ground troops to that date in modern warfare.
(b) It was the most bloodiest drive of the campaign and could have been the deciding factor in gaining French support.
(c) It was the first singular tactical decision by an Americn general in the liberation of Europe.
(d) It was singularly reckless and signaled his key flaw as a commander.

15. Does the author consider RESERVIST a success?
(a) No, although it was claimed as such.
(b) Yes, despite heavy casualties.
(c) No, with the exception that not a single Allied ship was lost.
(d) Yes, especially in that no ships in the harbor were scuttled or damaged by the battle.

Short Answer Questions

1. Against the wishes of his generals, the president of the United States canceled which plan in preference for a North African invasion?

2. What two particular subjects did Mark Clark know of that would have made him a valuable capture for the Axis Cause?

3. What was considered "the single most decisive act of the Second World War," by historian Marin Gilbert?

4. The General Lee is described by the author as: "double the Stuart's weight, with a 75mm gun in the hull, a 35mm squirrel rifle in the turret, and four machine guns." What did the author describe as it's flaws?

5. What French character was referred to as "a bad man with a narrow outlook and shifty eye," by Winston Churchill?

(see the answer keys)

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