ADF ADF Military History and Traditions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which World War II campaign saw Australian forces halt a Japanese overland advance toward Port Moresby?
- Battle of Midway
- Kokoda Track campaign (Correct answer)
- Battle of the Coral Sea
- Siege of Tobruk
Correct answer: Kokoda Track campaign
The Kokoda Track campaign of 1942 saw outnumbered Australian forces fight through rugged jungle to stop the Japanese advance on Port Moresby.
Question 2: What nickname did Australian defenders earn during the 241-day siege of Tobruk in 1941?
- The Desert Foxes
- The Rats of Tobruk (Correct answer)
- The Diggers of Tobruk
- The Cobbers
Correct answer: The Rats of Tobruk
German radio derisively called the defenders 'rats', but Australian troops adopted the name proudly, becoming known as the Rats of Tobruk.
Question 3: In which year did Australia deploy forces to the Korean War?
- 1948
- 1950 (Correct answer)
- 1952
- 1955
Correct answer: 1950
Australia committed forces to Korea in 1950 following the North Korean invasion of the South and a UN Security Council resolution authorizing collective defense.
Question 4: Approximately how many Australians were killed during the Vietnam War (1962–1975)?
- Approximately 200
- Approximately 521 (Correct answer)
- Approximately 1,000
- Approximately 2,500
Correct answer: Approximately 521
521 Australians were killed during the nation's involvement in the Vietnam War, with thousands more wounded.
Question 5: What was the name of the ADF-led multinational peacekeeping operation that deployed to East Timor in September 1999?
- Operation Catalyst
- Operation Astute
- Operation Stabilise (Correct answer)
- Operation Serene
Correct answer: Operation Stabilise
Operation Stabilise (INTERFET) was Australia's ADF-led international force that restored order in East Timor following the 1999 independence vote.
Question 6: Which general commanded Australian Military Forces and Allied Land Forces in the Southwest Pacific during WWII?
- Sir John Monash
- Sir Thomas Blamey (Correct answer)
- Sir Harry Chauvel
- Sir William Slim
Correct answer: Sir Thomas Blamey
General Sir Thomas Blamey was the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Military Forces and commanded Allied Land Forces under General MacArthur.
ADF ADF Military History and Traditions 2
Which World War II campaign saw Australian forces halt a Japanese overland advance toward Port Moresby?