OT: Trivia Time

[Jester107th]

Carrying on the Squidly tradition....


Q) What are the Swastika Trees and what is their background?

[Task Force]

I heard about these trees!!! Planted (and cutdown) somewhere in germany.
http://www.cynical-c.com/archives/bloggraphics/treess.jpg

[FIREWALL]

Learn something new every day. :yep:

[Capt Squid]

Jester, if I catch you raiding my cookies to pay your debts, you is TOAST!

'NOTHER QUESTION:

What aircraft had the radio callsign "Dimples 82"? Pix, pls.

[Chad]

CaptSquid!!! How are you doing! It's U-421, or your young "grasshopper" How are things with you? It's been too long :D

[Capt Squid]

Dang! Whuffo you haven't been over to the Moulin Rouge in a long time? You should be legal by now.

[kaptkirkU4467]

Tibbets ordered a disguise for the Enola Gay and escort aircraft on the Hiroshima mission. He had a big black letter R (the insignia of another unit on Tinian, the 313th Bomb Wing) painted on the tail, replacing the 509th’s distinctive arrow in a circle. Also for security, Tibbets changed the call sign from “Victor” to “Dimples.” The Enola Gay flew the mission as “Dimples Eight Two.”

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/94/enolagay.gif (http://img140.imageshack.us/my.php?image=enolagay.gif)

[Jester107th]

Jester, if I catch you raiding my cookies to pay your debts, you is TOAST!


Heheheh....look at your avatar Swabbie! hahaha.... You could learn much from this Ace of the Deep. :)

Nanner Nanner!!!


Task Force, right pic! Missed the history on it. Half an oreo for ya.

In 1937, a local businessman, an ardent follower of Adolf Hitler, planted a 60 by 60 metre area of Larch trees in a forest near the town of Zernikow, about 110 km north of Berlin. The trees were planted in the shape and format of a Swastika and could only be seen from the air. During Autumn, when the Larch trees changed their colour to orange and yellow they stood out strikingly against a green forest of surrounding pine trees. Discovered many years after the war, this long-forgotten symbol of the Nazi era was finally removed by cutting down 27 of the 57 trees that made up the Swastika design. This was done in 2001 by the Brandenburg State Forest authorities.

[Capt Squid]

Jester, you is dead meat!

Kirk, I asked for pixs, not graphics. Sorry, but you only get the bottom 2/3ds of the cookie.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Unlike our western Paratroopers, Fallschirmjäger had NO control over their descent. Why?

[gunter]

Because their chutes were based on the Italian "Salvatore" design. The German chutes had a single strap between the back of the body harness and the chute. This resulted in a face down position which required knee and elbow pads and a forward roll upon landing.

The Luftwaffe however used shoulder belt straps like the US and British.

[Capt Squid]

http://www.combatreform.com/germparachute.jpg

Interesting tidbit of information:

10 Commandments of the German Parachutist

1. You are the chosen ones of the German Army. You will seek combat and train yourselves to endure any manner of test. To you the battle shall be fulfillment.

2. Cultivate true comradeship, for by the aid of your comrades you will conquer or die.

3. Beware of talking. Be not curruptible. Men act while women chatter. Chatter may bring you to the grave.

4. Be calm and prudent, strong and resolute. Valor and enthusiasm of an offensive spirit will cause you to prevail in the attack.

5. The most precious thing in the presence of the foe is ammunition. He who shoots uselessly, merely to comfort himself, is a man of straw who merits not the title of Parachutist.

6. Never surrender. To you death or victory must be a point of honor.

7. You can triumph only if your weapons are good. See to it that you submit yourself to this law--first my weapon and then myself.

8. You must grasp the full purpose of every enterprise, so that if your leader be killed you can fulfil it.

9. Against an open foe fight with chivalry, but to a guerrilla extend no quarter.

10. Keep your eyes wide open. Tune yourself to the topmost pitch. Be nimble as a greyhound, as tough as leather, as hard as Krupp steel, and so you shall be the German warrior incarnate.

Uh, the Luftwaffe was in charge of the Falschirmjäger, gunter. But I'll still kick out with the cookie.

Well done, sir.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Pentagon.jpg/700px-Pentagon.jpg
How many ZIP codes does this building have?

[Capt Squid]

YO! Anyone gonna answer the question?

[gunter]

4.

DoD
Army
Air Force
Navy

[martes86]

Aren't ZIP codes what define a postal region in the US? Why would the Pentagon have 4 for itself? :o

[Capt Squid]

Methinks Gunter has something against the Marines. Is he rotten to the Corps???

Zip Codes

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/ZIP_Code_zones.svg
martes, I have no idea why the Puzzle Palace would have 6 all for itself (NOT 4). But you are correct in that ZIP codes define postal regions, much the same as postal codes all over. One possible theory is that, like telephone number exchanges, there are too many offices in the Pentagon and too much mail to be handled by one ZIP.

Even though The Pentagon is located in Arlington Virginia, the United States Postal Service requires that "Washington, D.C." be used in conjunction with the six ZIP Codes assigned to it:

Secretary of Defense 20301
Joint Chiefs of Staff 20318
United States Army 20310
United States Air Force 20330
United States Navy 20350
United States Marine Corps 20380

So, you get the bottom cookie and the filling, but not the top half.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Which ARMY infantry division was manned by Marines and during which war?

[gunter]

Doh! Forgot the Marines. Semper Fi!

[Capt Squid]

OK, let's forget about the Marines.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

The War of Northern Oppression:

Which General was reknowned (?) for "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory" and in which battle?

[Torplexed]

I'll go with General George McClellan at Antietam (Sharpsburg to Sutherners) The man had every advantage and opportunity you could ask for and bungled them all away. He had ample reserves to follow up the next day and never used them.

[Jester107th]

Q. Who were the "Blue Rock Clay Pigeons"?

[Capt Squid]

Lincoln is quoted as saying, "If General McClellan does not want to use the army, I would like to borrow it for a time." General Grant said of McClellan, "McClellan is to me one of the mysteries of the war."

Here's your cookie, Torplexed. Well done.

Jester, they sound like a VF or a VT.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Matthew Brady is credited with a lot of photos taken of the late unpleasantness. Did he actually take all those pix? Did his subjects fall in those positions?

[Capt Squid]

Let's move on...

'NOTHER QUESTION:

USS Monitor went down off Cape Hatteras, NC on 31 December 1862. When did the US Navy OFFICIALLY list her as "Out of Commission"?

[Torplexed]

I'll try this date....


On September 30th, 1953 the Secretary of the Navy officially abandons the Monitor, surrendering all claims by the United States Navy to the ship.

[Capt Squid]

Close enough for government work. Here's your cookie.

In 1974, Duke University finally found the rusting hulk. Bits and pieces have been salvaged, although raising the entire vessel is impossible.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Ericsson didn't actually fulfill his contract with the Navy when he built the Monitor. He left items off -- which items?

[Capt Squid]

No guesses, huh?

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Clyde (yeah, Clyde, you got sumptin' against that?) was fond of his Whippet Guns. What was a Whippet Gun and why so named? Oh, yeah, who was Clyde?

[Jester107th]

Commonly available pump (manual slide action) shotguns that are fitted with pistol grips and short barrels are called "whippet" guns in some law enforcement circles (east coast term). Whippet guns are frequently carried by people in parts of the country where handguns are not easily obtainable. They are commonly used by criminals and citizens who cannot obtain other firearms.

http://www.savvysurvivor.com/supplementary/_derived/x_compact_shotguns.htm_txt_64.gif

http://www.savvysurvivor.com/supplementary/_derived/x_compact_shotguns.htm_txt_8702.gif

Clyde Barrow...a well known outlaw of the old days. He and his companion Bonnie Parker were always together. More commonly heard of as "Bonnie & Clyde".

They were well known outlaws, robbers, and criminals who, with their gang, traveled the Central United States during the Great Depression. Their exploits were known nationwide. They captured the attention of the American press and its readership during what is sometimes referred to as the "public enemy era" between 1931 and 1934. Though their gang was notorious for their bank robberies, Barrow preferred to rob small stores or gas stations. The gang was believed to have killed at least nine police officers, among several other murders.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Bonnieclyde_f.jpg/225px-Bonnieclyde_f.jpg

[Capt Squid]

You didn't say why the Whippet Gun was so named, but I'm feeling generous today.

Here's your cookie.

It was so named because Clyde could "whip it out" and have it ready to shoot quickly.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

What Chief was selected to represent all the Nations at the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknowns?

[Torplexed]

On November 11, 1921, for the consecration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery, Chief Plenty Coups, a Crow Indian, was chosen to represent all Native Americans. He came to the ceremony with gifts, a warbonnet and a coup stick and captured the audience with a moving speech, saying among other things that he was "glad to represent all the Indians of the United States in placing on the grave of this noble warrior this coup stick and war bonnet. His two presents were later put in a show case labeled "Chief Plenty Coups, American Indians" in the trophy room of the Arlington Cemetery.

http://www.crowreservation.com/assets/images/PlentyCoups_Foch.jpg

Crow Chief Plenty Coups and French General Foch at the ceremony.

[Capt Squid]

Somehow, I knew Torplexed would get that right. How many others would have determined that he was an Indian?

Here's your cookie.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Let's see if we can get gunter to come out and play.

http://collections.nasm.si.edu/media/full/A19740156000CP01.jpg
What was unique about this aircraft? How many were produced?

[kaptkirkU4467]

Goodyear Inflatoplane (GA468)

Inflatable, rubber, monoplane

Inflated in about 5 minutes using less air pressure than a car tire. The two-cycle 40-hp Nelson engine had to be hand-started and held 20 gallons of fuel.



Twelve Inflatoplanes were designed and built .

[Capt Squid]

Nicely done, Kirk. Here's yer cookie.

The plan would be to airdrop the package to a downed aviator who could inflate the plane and fly out to safety. Yes, the plane actually flew.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/DummyShermanTank.jpg
What kind of armored vehicle is this and during which operation?

[martes86]

I'm not really sure, but, isn't that a decoy Sherman? I know the allies made inflatable Shermans as decoys to make the enemy think that their numbers were superior in a tank battle, and make them rethink their strategies. Specially useful against enemy observers determining their enemies fight capabilities. I don't remember in what specific battles it might have been used, probably in Belgium and nearby areas.

[Capt Squid]

Almost, Martes. That IS an inflatable Sherman decoy tank, but you must remember that in 1944, the Allies had numerical superiority in both manpower and equipment.

They were used in Operation Fortitude, the decoy operation designed to make the Germans think that a cross-channel invasion was planned for the Dunkirk area. It kept a lot of forces busy and occupied in that area while the main force came ashore at Normandy. Even after the invasion, the High Command and the mustachioed one still thought that the Normandy invasions were merely a decoy, a feint designed to pull forces away from the Pas de Calais.

So, you get 1/2 a cookie. Sorry.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

The Battle of Hurtgen Forest was particularly nasty but was effectively downgraded because of another battle of equal magnitude to the south. Where? Also, the Germans made very good use of the trees in the forest by doing what with them?

[Torplexed]

I believe the Hurtgen Forest slugfest was overshadowed by the more famous Ardennes Offensive (Battle of the Bulge) to the south in Belgium. I'm gonna guess that the Germans made defensive use of the forest by priming their shells to achieve a treeburst scattering splinters about like so much shrapnel.

[Capt Squid]

Strangest thing happened during the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest. In the middle of the battle, a truce was reached so that the Medics and Sanitäter could tend to the numerous wounded. They even cooperated with each other and treated wounded men without regard to which army.

You're getting good at this, Torplexed. Well done. Here's another cookie.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

SCENARIO: You depart Fort Abraham Lincoln mid-May to quell an uprising. The plans start to unravel when one reinforcement column is delayed enroute. Arriving late the next month, you send out two scouting columns and, well, Momma said there'd be days like this.

[Torplexed]

You depart Fort Abraham Lincoln mid-May to quell an uprising. The plans start to unravel when one reinforcement column is delayed enroute. Arriving late the next month, you send out two scouting columns and, well, Momma said there'd be days like this.

Sounds like the prelude to the most famous of the Indian War battles and General George Armstrong Custer's date with destiny...Little Big Horn.

http://www.nativeamericans.com/LittleBighornMap.gif

[Capt Squid]

He wasn't a General; he was a lowly Lieutenant Colonel! I'm gonna keep your sprinkles for that.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

What is PANAMAX? Why those dimensions?

[Capt Squid]

Hmmm. No takers.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Russian tanks entering Berlin used what simple field expedient to prevent Panzerfäuster from detonating against their hull?

[Jester107th]

Taking a guess here....flak jackets?

[gunter]

Bed springs.

The olny pics I can find are of models, not 1:1.

[gunter]

PANAMAX is the largest size of ship that can still pass through the Panama Canal.


Length: 965 ft
Beam: 106 ft
Draft: 39.5 ft
Air draft: 190 ft measured from the waterline to the vessel's highest point

[Capt Squid]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/T34_85_4.jpg

I found one for you, gunter.

Jester, the Panzerfaust and the Panzerschreck were point-detonating shaped charges. Flak jackets were only for aircrews then, too. The Red Army treated their troops as throw-away assets. They made sure that no tank went out without infantry escort. The Panzerfaust and Panzershreck were relatively short-ranged weapons, so any German soldier definitely had to have solid brass cojones to use these devices.

1 cookie for Gunter.

-----------------------

Gunter, you didn't say WHY those dimensions, so only 1/2 a cookie on the Panamax question.

The length, beam, and draft dimensions are determined by the lock sizes and the depth of the water. The height is determined by the PanAmerican Bridge over the Canal.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Another particularly nasty close-in weapon is a rehash of an old idea dating back to the Greeks, but a relatively NEW invention, actually invented in 1901. attributed to Richard Fiedler. This weapon, too, required the user to have big brass ones.

What is it? Pix, pls. What replaced it?

[Torplexed]

Another particularly nasty close-in weapon is a rehash of an old idea dating back to the Greeks, but a relatively NEW invention, actually invented in 1901. attributed to Richard Fiedler. This weapon, too, required the user to have big brass ones.

What is it? Pix, pls. What replaced it?

The Flammenwerfer, or flame-thrower. A favorite engineering weapon from WWI to Vietnam. The US Army discontinued their in 1978. They're largely been replaced by satchel charges or thermobaric warheads on rockets and missiles.

http://pnmedia.gamespy.com/planetcoh.gamespy.com/images/history/flameparts.jpg

[Capt Squid]

Well done, Torplexed. Here's yer cookie. Ya gotta admit that there is a great deal of psychological warfare being done when the zippo comes out to play.

I gotta work on my questions or get sneakier.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

http://www.luftarchiv.de/beute/usa/b_17.jpg
Why is this B-17 wearing Luftwaffe markings?

[kaptkirkU4467]

Humm...thats a hot link that went cold. :har:

[kaptkirkU4467]

http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/5465/b17dbe.jpg (http://img2.imageshack.us/my.php?image=b17dbe.jpg)
Cause jerry flies it... so he marks it.

[Capt Squid]

Why is he flying it????

[gunter]

The tail number looks to be 124585 so that would be 41-24585 which was the first B-17 captured by the Germans. The DL-XC id would mean that it is being flown to find out what it can do. Then it was flown around to airbases to show German pilots where the weak point were.

Later it was transfered to KG200 and changed to A3-AE.

[Capt Squid]

Otherwise known as B-17F-27-BO "Wulf Hound", late of the 360th Bomb Squadron, 303d Bomb Group.

Kirk gets 1/2 a cookie, gunter gets the other half PLUS a glass of milk!

'NOTHER QUESTION:

The Fi 103, while fast, was not impervious to being brought down before reaching the designated target. What methods were used?

[Jester107th]

British intelligence used a "Double Cross System" to provide the Germans false information on trajectories so that they would not hit the cities. Allies also bombed the launch sites and employed proximity fuses on their aa guns to help hit the fast moving V-1s. The Allies also developed a fire control radar to counter the V-1s.

[Capt Squid]

You forgot this method:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Spitfire_Tipping_V-1_Flying_Bomb.jpg
By moving one's wingtip under the offending object's wingtip would cause the offending object to tip away, thus tumbling the gyro and causing said offending object to fall down and go boom. 150 Wing RAF was used specifically for this task, as machine gunning the offending object could produce rather disastrous results to one's own aircraft.

But I feel generous, Jester, so you get the whole cookie.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg72/CaptSquid/norcal_147a.jpg
What is this and for what purpose?

[Jester107th]

A dust mop! Now go clean your room! :)

[Capt Squid]

Dat ain't no stinkin' swab, ya gob! You call yourself a sailor???? Give them crackerjacks back! You don't deserve them.

[Jester107th]

hahahah....how about a gun barrel cleaner?

[Capt Squid]

Here's the pitch.... <SWISH> ... swing and a miss, STEEEERIKE TWO!

HINT: It's on the rigging.

[gunter]

Would that be a Dog Vane? If so it was placed on a mast to see which way the wind was a blowing.

[Capt Squid]

No, not a dog vane.

This is a BAGGYWRINKLE, anti-chafing gear on the rigging to prevent the sail from being worn through by friction.

Good question, huh?

'NOTHER QUESTION:

During the buildup for D-Day, the amount of men and material in England was colossal. So much so, that it was joked that these were the only things keeping England from sinking into the sea. What were "these?" Pix, pls.

[Torplexed]

During the buildup for D-Day, the amount of men and material in England was colossal. So much so, that it was joked that these were the only things keeping England from sinking into the sea. What were "these?" Pix, pls.
:D

http://www.kathyamen.net/journal/images/balloon.jpg http://www.skylighters.org/roof/balloons1.jpghttp://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40215000/jpg/_40215173_d-day_balloon_300.jpghttp://www.ssplprints.com/lowres/43/main/47/125876.jpg

[Capt Squid]

Pretty smug, aren't you, Torplexed??? Well, sir, here's yer cookie AND a glass of milk. You're pretty good at deciphering my questions.

By D-Day, about 3000 of those gasbags had been produced. A Barrage Balloon Battery was equipped with 45 balloons. The purpose was to deter low-level aircraft. Most were over England, although some were in use at Normandy. Germany used very few, but they did have effective counter-measures in effect. Even the doodle bugs weren't bothered by the balloons because cable cutters had been built into the wing's leading edges.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Who/what is/was Pluto??? (Careful, there are multiple answers and I want the main ones!) (There are far too many minor ones.)

[Jester107th]

The name of Squid's first stuffed animal?? :yeah:

[Capt Squid]

If only we could send you to a Marching Party, Jester.

[gunter]

Who: A dog
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6d/Plutodog.gif

What is: A planet. (At least when I was in school)

Was: In WWII it was a plan to construct pipelines in the channel from England to France.

Or

It was the code name of the Bay of Pigs Invasion.

[Capt Squid]

You forgot this guy:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Hades_Altemps_Inv8584.jpg/150px-Hades_Altemps_Inv8584.jpg
The Roman God of the Underworld.

Ah, why not? Here's yer cookie.

Jester, you get NUTHIN!

'NOTHER QUESTION:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Checkpoint_Charlie_1977.jpg
You should be able to recognize this structure/area. Were there any others like this? If so, where?

[Torplexed]

Ahhh...the famous Checkpoint Charlie so often seen in movies and literature.

Originally there were only two checkpoints in the American sector – one at Helmstedt (West German-East German border) and the other at Dreilinden (West Berlin and East Germany border). It was not along after that when the US military police opened the third checkpoint at Friedrichstrasse. Based on the phonetic alphabet the name Alpha was given to Helmstedt checkpoint, Bravo to the Dreilinden Checkpoint and Charlie to the Friedrichstrasse check point.

[Sailor Steve]

That depends on when they were opened, and on when the phonetic alphabet changed. If it was early enough the first two would have been Able and Baker.

[Capt Squid]

Well, Torplexed, Helmstedt wasn't in the American Zone. It was in the British Zone. And yes, Sailor Steve, they weren't always known as Checkpoints Alpha and Bravo, because the checkpoints were established on 1 July 1945.

Berlin itself would've been the quickest erected POW camp had the balloon gone up.

Both of you get a cookie. Well done.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Who was Peter Fechter and how does he figure in this scenario?

[kaptkirkU4467]

They sent up balloons if a war breaks out?? Cool!:woot:

[Capt Squid]

Kirk, you bring new meaning to the term DAT.:haha:

BTW, Starchucks will open soon.

[Capt Squid]

Nobody cares about ol' Peter???:wah:

'NOTHER QUESTION:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a5/Republic_Rainbow.jpg/471px-Republic_Rainbow.jpg

This aircraft beat out another aircraft that, when it crashed, nearly took the life of its pilot. Please identify both aircraft AND the pilot.

[Jester107th]

Nobody yet, huh Squid?

Rainy week here....maybe we'll have some RAINBOWS soon.

[kaptkirkU4467]

XF-12 Rainbow


pilot: Lynn Hendrix

[Capt Squid]

That's only one aircraft AND the WRONG pilot.

[Capt Squid]

While we're waiting...

'NOTHER QUESTION:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Cesar_Romero_-_USCG_2.jpg/408px-Cesar_Romero_-_USCG_2.jpg

Please identify this dashing sea going man. (No peaking at the link!)

[Torplexed]

Anthony Quinn?

[Capt Squid]

Nope, Tony was Mexican. This dashing figure is of Cuban descent, so he claimed.

[kaptkirkU4467]

Oh...its Squid! :woot:
I knew it..whats my prize?

[Capt Squid]

You get Cracker Crumbs.

HINT:
http://www.batmania.com.ar/images/images_revista/joker_13.jpg

[Torplexed]

Holy Flashback Batman! Jose Ferrer. :damn: I always thought he was Puerto Rican.

http://cristianos.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/no_fueron_jose_ferrer.jpg

[Sailor Steve]

The other plane would be the Hughes XF-11, and the pilot would of course be one Howard Robard Hughes, Jr.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hughes_XF-11

Based on your hint, I'd say the last one would have to be Cesar Romero, who had a huge long career in a great many films. One of my favorites was the 1955 flick The Racers, starring Kirk Douglas.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0003110/bio

[Capt Squid]

José Ferrer??? He bears NO resemblance to Cesar Romero and NEVER played The Joker.

Cesar Romero was one of the few movie stars who, during WWII, did NOT seek a commission. He wanted to be like the rest of the GIs. So, he enlisted in the Coast Guard, ultimately rising to the rank of Chief Boatswain's Mate. And he NEVER shaved that moustache, even while made up as The Joker. If you look closely, they applied the grease paint over the stache.

Sailor Steve, you get the cookie for the Cesar Romero question and the bottom half of the cookie WITH THE FILLING for the airplane question. Well done, sir.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

One of the strangest ideas come up with during WWII involved the use of Pykrete. What was Pykrete and what was the idea?

[Torplexed]

Pykrete is a composite material made of approximately 14 percent sawdust or some other form of wood pulp (such as paper) and 86 percent ice by weight. Its use was proposed during World War II by Geoffrey Pyke to the Royal Navy as a candidate material for making a huge, unsinkable aircraft carrier. Pykrete has some interesting properties, notably its relatively slow melting rate (due to low thermal conductivity), and its vastly improved strength and toughness over unmodified (crystalline) ice, actually closer to concrete. Pykrete is slightly more difficult to form than concrete, as it expands during the freezing process, but can be repaired and maintained from the sea's most abundant raw material: water.

http://www.lugaluda.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/pykrete_aircraft_carrier.jpeg
The carrier concept was abandoned when the U-Boat threat receded and it was decided to concentrate on more conventional means of combating them.

(http://www.lugaluda.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/pykrete_aircraft_carrier.jpeg)

[Capt Squid]

Mythbusters did an episode on this very subject. They proved that it could have worked and would have been near impossible to sink. It would have also been the only ship in the tropics with the crew working in Parkas and long underwear! :D

Well done, sir. This makes up for the José Ferrer faux pas. Here's your cookie.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Belgian_Gate.jpg

What is this? Where was it used? Was it successful?

[Torplexed]

Hmmm. Some sort of underwater anti-tank or anti-landing craft device?

[Capt Squid]

You're on the right track, Torplexed.

Hey! Do you want an MP3 of The Chipmunks performing an Andrews Sisters song?

[Torplexed]

Hey! Do you want an MP3 of The Chipmunks performing an Andrews Sisters song?

Nah...that's okay Captain S. I think this Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy will just content himself with gazing upon the Andrews' gams. :cool:

http://www.vintageculture.net/images/andrews-sisters-wwii1.jpg

[Task Force]

anti tank obstical... looked for anti tank obstial and got some info on something called a cointet element, the page also called it a belgian gate.

[Capt Squid]

Nah...that's okay Captain S. I think this Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy will just content himself with gazing upon the Andrews' gams. :cool:

http://www.vintageculture.net/images/andrews-sisters-wwii1.jpg

HEY!!!! Quit looking at them gams! I saw 'em first! (You ain't nivver heard the Sisters done this way.)

[Capt Squid]

Well, Task Force. You got part of the question right. It IS a Belgian Gate. But, in order to get the entire cookie, you have to answer all of the question.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

How many Hershey's Kisses make a pound? You may research this all by yourself, but be sure you dispose of the evidence.:03:

[Chad]

I believe it is 95 Hershey Kisses = 1lb

:D

[gunter]

If Squidy wanted that in Troy pounds you would need to remove about 2. :o

[Chad]

What's troy pounds? I know i could just look it up, but, I'm on vacation so :O:

[gunter]

Troy weight is customarily used for precious metals, black powder, and gem stones.

1 Avoirdupois pound (lb) is equal to 1.215278 Troy pound.

I was just janking Squid's chain.:DL

[Capt Squid]

No wonder our piano player is missing -- he CLAIMS he's on vacation.

Yes, Chad, 95 kisses make one pound. But, that's the plain versions.

Here's yer cookie.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

How many FULL-SIZED Go 229s exist today? (Careful, this is a trick question.)

[gunter]

Well, I'll go with 1.

The one at Planes of Fame is a glider (HO IV).

There is an airframe at National Air and Space, but all the pics show it without wings.

So, that leaves the full size replica that Northrop built to test if it was the first stealth fighter. Which they found that if it was coming in on the deck that the British Chain Home radar would have missed it.

Has "Hitler's Stealth Fighter" aired on Nat Geo yet?

[Capt Squid]

You KNEW! I knew it!

NorthropGrumman won't release the actual figures, but you have to consider that the wings were wooden and Chain Home was a primitive radar. BTW, the wings at the Paul Garber facility are stored separately.

Here's your cookie.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

What division became known as Gespenster-Division (the "Ghost Division") and why? Who commanded it? Pix, pls.

[Torplexed]

Started life as the 2nd Light Division, before the invasion of France it was renamed the 7th Panzer Division under Erwin Rommel. Called 'ghost' during the overrun of France because it was never where the German High Command thought it was.

http://www.axishistory.com/fileadmin/user_upload/p/pzdiv-7-france1942.jpghttp://www.davidcross.us/classes/tao/rommel4.jpg

[Capt Squid]

The 7th Panzer Division moved with great speed through France and covered vast distance. During the Battle of France, the 7th Panzer Division earned the name of the Gespensterdivision (German:"Ghost/Phantom Division") because of this speed and because nobody seemed to know where it was, not even the German High Command. Rommel had a "lead from the front" attitude and would sometimes cut communications with High Command if wished not to be disturbed. His behavior showed confidence in the blitzkrieg concept; his success and favor with Hitler would prevent repercussions from his insubordination to the High Command. Nevertheless, Rommel was criticized by staff for being difficult to contact and locate. Rommel described the French Campaign in his letters to his wife as "a lightning Tour de France"

The insignia on the armored vehicle was used from 1941 - 1945, but not at Kursk.

Well done, sir. Here's your cooke.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Your unit always marches last in the National Day celebrations because of its slow march cadence. Because of that, your unit also supplies its own band. Your unit never divides its formation when passing by the National Monument because your unit preserves its integrity. Your song has something to do with blood sausage.

What unit are you in and what distinctive uniform article do you wear? Pix, pls.

[Capt Squid]

HINT:

The National Day takes place in July.

[Capt Squid]

'NOTHER HINT:

Dien Bien Phu

[kaptkirkU4467]

Le Boudin is the official march of the French Foreign Legion.
*Le Boudin is type of blood sausage or black pudding*

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/8494/800px1.th.jpg (http://img155.imageshack.us/i/800px1.jpg/)

[Capt Squid]

Man, that was like pulling teeth! Well done, Kirk. Here's your cookie.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

OK, in the same vein, what happened at Dien Bien Phu? (Your response should be a bit more detailed than a study guide.)

[Capt Squid]

Hmm. Wasn't that difficult a question.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

What was Operation Währung?

[Torplexed]

Operation Währung was one of the support operations for the 1944 Ardennes Offensive. Similar to Operation Grief, a small number of German agents infiltrated Allied lines in American uniforms. These agents were then to use an existing Nazi intelligence network to attempt to bribe rail and port workers to disrupt Allied supply operations. The operation proved to be a failure.

[Capt Squid]

Most notably seen in the movie, The Battle of the Bulge, where English speaking Wehrmacht soldiers were recruited to infiltrate the American lines. Every one of them was caught and executed by firing squad.

Well done, sir. Here's your cookie.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Easy one:

What was the greatest mass act of treason ever? (Hint: It happened today, but many years ago.)

[Torplexed]

I'm gonna take a wild guess and say it has something to do with some of British King George III's subjects signing a document called the Declaration of Independence and thereby committing an act of unpardonable treason against his Majesty the King? :D

[Capt Squid]

Kinda difficult to deny your involvement in this act of treason, especially when your name is one of 56 on the document.

Here's your cookie.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Under the laws existing at that time, what would their punishment have been had the Revolution gone bad?

[gunter]

I believe it was hanging.

[Capt Squid]

Actually, that was only PART of the punishment.

The traitor would be hanged until almost dead; there was no sudden drop to break the neck. Then, the traitor would be revived only to be hanged again. This may or may not have gone on for a while. Then, the traitor would have been emasculated and slowly disemboweled and his entrails burned while he watched. Finally, he would be beheaded and quartered and his head sent to the Tower and the remaining parts sent to the four corners of the kingdom. Females were burned at the stake.

Sorry, no cookie on this one.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

What outfit does Colonel Jethro E. Culpepper head?

[Torplexed]

Colonel Jethro E. Culpepper is the fictitious head of the Commemorative Air Force (formerly know as the Confederate Air Force) an Texas non-profit organization that recovers, repairs and flies old WW2 warbirds.

http://www.commemorativeairforce.org/editor/userImg/CAF_Logo_final_4c.gif

[Capt Squid]

From two men sharing the $3000 purchase price of a war-weary P-51 and two subsequent F8F Bearcats at $850 apiece, the humble beginnings of the CAF gave way to a great organization. I've been to Rebel Field and seen some of the aircraft. I just wish Political Correctness hadn't reared its ugly head. (And they no longer limit themselves to purely WWII aircraft, as they now count an H-19 and a MiG-17 Fresco in their hangars.)

Well done, sir. Here's your cookie.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Where would one find Rodina Maht? Pictures, please.

[Capt Squid]

Movin' on...

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Who said this about what group: "They dress like Tarzan, have hair like Jane and smell like Cheetah"?

[kaptkirkU4467]

Ronald Reagan mocked the insurgent hippies of Berkeley: "They dress like Tarzan, have hair like Jane, and smell like Cheeta."

[Capt Squid]

And it was probably an apt depiction of the Hippies.

Well done, sir. Here's yer cookie.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Richard_Jordan_Gatling.jpg/225px-Richard_Jordan_Gatling.jpg
Who is this fellow and what is he well know for? (no peeky at the linky)

[Torplexed]

Richard Jordan Gatling. He invented the weapon that "dem damn Yankees load up on a Sunday and shoot all week long"--the Gatling Gun.

http://worldweapons.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/649px-gatling_gun_1865.jpg

[Capt Squid]

Them Bluebellies was always a sneaky bunch.

Well done, sir. Here's your cookie.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

This movie studio was reknowned for producing B-Movies, some of them real flops. But they produced a series of comedic shorts that was in very high demand. To that end, the studio utilized the fame of their comedic team's shorts to bolster the sales of their B-Movies, requiring that in order to get the shorts, they had to buy the feature film.

Name the studio and the comedic team. Pics, if you can.

[Capt Squid]

HINT:

We used to watch them on Saturday mornings.

[kaptkirkU4467]

Tom and jerry?:D

[Capt Squid]

Nope. The group I have in mind didn't become animated until the 60s.

[Torplexed]

The Three Stooges and Columbia Pictures?

Never knew they had a Saturday morning cartoon...

http://i1.iofferphoto.com/img/item/106/899/459/dhAGPPcQ5WTfzle.jpg

[Zorki]

Wrote the wrong reply!...

well done of me... arr arr

[Capt Squid]

Well done, Torplexed. Here's your cookie.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Clark Kent didn't originally work for the Daily Planet. Where did he work in Action Comics #1?

[kaptkirkU4467]

The Daily Star.:rock:

[Capt Squid]

Kirk, methinks that thou art a closet Superman fan, for only the dedicated know that.

Here's your cookie. Well done.

'NOTHER QUESTION:

How many statues have been given the US by France? (CAREFUL: This is a trick question!)

[SteveW1]

Me Thinks officially None, but the Statue of liberty was presented to the US by the French people in 1886 as a monument to celebrate the centenial of the signing of the US Declaration of Independence.

As an Aussie i'm taking a stab in the dark here:D

[Capt Squid]

Since we've only gotten one nibble ...

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Which Luftwaffe pilot has the record for number of Spitfires bagged? How many? If possible, pix, pls.

[Jester107th]

In air on on the ground? Both? And that must be some bag to fit the Sptfire in!


Edit: Was it Obst. Josef "Pips" Priller ? Second choice would be maybe Heinz Bär.

[Capt Squid]

The Luftwaffe only counted AERIAL victories, not sitting ducks on the ground.

Yes, It was Pip Priller, but we're awaiting the count.

Meanwhile...

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Operation Mincemeat was a precursor to Operation Husky, but occurred nowhere near Operation Husky's planned objective.

What were BOTH operations all about?

[Jester107th]

101 victories. 68 of them were Spits.

[Crow]

The Luftwaffe only counted AERIAL victories, not sitting ducks on the ground.

Yes, It was Pip Priller, but we're awaiting the count.

Meanwhile...

'NOTHER QUESTION:

Operation Mincemeat was a precursor to Operation Husky, but occurred nowhere near Operation Husky's planned objective.

What were BOTH operations all about?

fooling the Krauts :sunny:

[CaptSquid]

I'm baaaaaack!

:arrgh!:This particular buccaneer proved useful in the Battle of New Orleans. Who was he and with whom did he conspire?

[TarJak]

Jean Lafitte is supposed to have conspired with Napoleon Boneparte.