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Operation Achse was initially codenamed Operation Alaric and aimed to disarm Italian forces after Italy signed an armistice with the Allies in September 1943.
Answer: True
Explanation: Operation Achse was indeed initially codenamed Operation Alaric, and its primary purpose was to disarm Italian forces following Italy's armistice with the Allies in September 1943.
The primary objective of Operation Achse was to secure Italian military assets for the Allies, following Italy's defection from the Axis.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary objective of Operation Achse was to forcibly disarm the Italian armed forces and prevent their assets from falling into Allied hands, not to secure them for the Allies.
Operation Achse took place exclusively in Italy, from 8 to 23 September 1943, immediately after the public announcement of Italy's armistice.
Answer: False
Explanation: Operation Achse affected Italy, the Balkans, and Southern France, not exclusively Italy.
The main belligerents in Operation Achse were Nazi Germany and the Kingdom of Italy, with Italy becoming an adversary to Germany.
Answer: True
Explanation: The main belligerents were the Kingdom of Italy and Nazi Germany, marking a shift where Italy became an adversary to Germany.
The German High Command's initial plans for Italy's potential defection included Operation Alarich for the invasion of the Italian mainland and Operation Konstantin for neutralizing Italian forces in the Balkans.
Answer: True
Explanation: The German High Command developed initial plans like Operation Alarich for the Italian mainland and Operation Konstantin for the Balkans in anticipation of Italy's defection.
Adolf Hitler expressed doubts about the Fascist government's stability in May 1943 due to declining morale and perceived untrustworthiness of Italian figures.
Answer: True
Explanation: Hitler's doubts about the Fascist government's stability in May 1943 stemmed from declining morale and perceived untrustworthiness of Italian figures.
The Feltre meeting on July 19, 1943, was successful in securing more German support for Italy and establishing a unified German command.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Feltre meeting accomplished little for Italy, as Hitler refused Italian requests for more support and a unified German command.
The codename 'Alaric' was changed to 'Achse' to reflect a more aggressive stance against Italy.
Answer: False
Explanation: The codename 'Alaric' was changed to 'Achse' to avoid offending the Italians, as Alaric was a Visigothic king who sacked Rome.
What was the original codename for Operation Achse?
Answer: Operation Alaric
Explanation: Operation Achse was originally codenamed Operation Alaric.
What was the primary purpose of Operation Achse?
Answer: To forcibly disarm the Italian armed forces.
Explanation: The primary purpose of Operation Achse was to forcibly disarm the Italian armed forces after Italy's armistice with the Allies.
Which geographical areas were affected by Operation Achse?
Answer: Italy, the Balkans, and Southern France.
Explanation: Operation Achse affected Italy, the Balkans, and Southern France.
Which of the following was NOT an initial German plan for Italy's potential defection?
Answer: Operation Achse
Explanation: Operation Achse was a later combined plan; Alarich, Konstantin, and Siegfried were among the initial separate plans.
Why did Adolf Hitler express doubts about the Fascist government's stability in May 1943?
Answer: Declining morale among the Italian population and pro-British sentiment.
Explanation: Hitler expressed doubts due to declining morale among the Italian population and the spread of pro-British sentiment.
What was the outcome of the Feltre meeting between Hitler and Mussolini on July 19, 1943?
Answer: The meeting accomplished little for Italy and reinforced Hitler's beliefs.
Explanation: The Feltre meeting accomplished little for Italy, as Hitler refused Italian requests for more support and a unified German command, reinforcing his negative perceptions of Mussolini's leadership.
Why was the codename 'Alaric' changed to 'Achse'?
Answer: To avoid offending the Italians, as Alaric sacked Rome.
Explanation: The codename 'Alaric' was changed to 'Achse' to avoid offending the Italians, as Alaric was a Visigothic king who sacked Rome.
Hitler and the German leadership were surprised by Mussolini's fall and immediately reactivated planning for Operation Alaric (Achse) and sent reinforcements.
Answer: True
Explanation: Hitler was surprised and enraged by Mussolini's fall, leading him to reactivate plans for Operation Alaric (Achse) and send reinforcements to Italy.
After Mussolini's fall, Germany developed new operations including 'Schwartz' to capture the Italian government in Rome and 'Eiche' to free Mussolini.
Answer: True
Explanation: After Mussolini's fall, Germany developed new operations such as 'Schwartz' to capture the Italian government and 'Eiche' to free Mussolini.
The Italian government, led by Pietro Badoglio, openly declared its intention to negotiate with the Allies while maintaining loyalty to Germany.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Italian government, led by Pietro Badoglio, officially proclaimed loyalty to Germany while secretly negotiating with the Allies.
The Tarvisio conference on August 6, 1943, saw Italian and German officials agree on the deployment of new German units to Southern Italy against the Allies.
Answer: False
Explanation: At the Tarvisio conference, German officials insisted on deploying new units in Central and Northern Italy as a strategic reserve, not Southern Italy against the Allies, contrary to Italian requests.
Italian high commands issued clear and detailed orders to their peripheral units regarding German aggression, but troops failed to follow them.
Answer: False
Explanation: Italian high commands issued vague, lacking in detail, and nearly inapplicable orders, which contributed to widespread confusion among troops.
The King and Pietro Badoglio remained in Rome to lead the defense against German forces, only fleeing after the city's capitulation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The King and Pietro Badoglio fled Rome early on September 9, before the city's capitulation, to reach Allied-controlled territory.
Operation Eiche was a successful paratrooper operation to free Benito Mussolini, carried out by units under Major Harald Mors and SS officer Otto Skorzeny.
Answer: True
Explanation: Operation Eiche was a successful paratrooper operation carried out by units under Major Harald Mors and SS officer Otto Skorzeny to free Benito Mussolini.
When was the armistice between Italy and the Allies signed?
Answer: 3 September 1943
Explanation: The Armistice of Cassibile between Italy and the Allies was signed on 3 September 1943.
How did Hitler react to the fall of Benito Mussolini on July 25, 1943?
Answer: He was surprised and enraged, reactivating plans for Operation Alaric (Achse).
Explanation: Hitler was surprised and enraged by Mussolini's fall and immediately reactivated plans for Operation Alaric (Achse).
Which new operation was studied by Germany after Mussolini's fall to free Mussolini from captivity?
Answer: Operation Eiche
Explanation: Operation Eiche was developed to free Mussolini from captivity.
What was the Italian government's public stance regarding Germany during secret armistice negotiations with the Allies?
Answer: Officially proclaimed loyalty to Germany.
Explanation: The Italian government officially proclaimed loyalty to Germany while secretly negotiating with the Allies.
What was the main point of contention at the Tarvisio conference on August 6, 1943?
Answer: The deployment location of new German divisions in Italy.
Explanation: The main point of contention at the Tarvisio conference was the deployment location of new German divisions in Italy.
When was the Armistice of Cassibile publicly announced by General Dwight Eisenhower?
Answer: 8 September 1943
Explanation: General Dwight Eisenhower publicly announced the Armistice of Cassibile on the evening of 8 September 1943.
What was a major factor contributing to the confusion among Italian forces regarding German aggression?
Answer: Vague, lacking in detail, and nearly inapplicable orders from high commands.
Explanation: Vague, lacking in detail, and nearly inapplicable orders from Italian high commands contributed to widespread confusion among Italian forces.
How did the Italian King and Pietro Badoglio escape Rome after the armistice announcement?
Answer: They boarded the corvette *Baionetta* from Ortona to Brindisi.
Explanation: The Italian King and Pietro Badoglio escaped Rome by boarding the corvette *Baionetta* from Ortona to Brindisi.
Who was involved in carrying out Operation Eiche, the mission to free Mussolini?
Answer: Major Harald Mors and SS officer Otto Skorzeny
Explanation: Major Harald Mors and SS officer Otto Skorzeny were involved in carrying out Operation Eiche to free Mussolini.
Operation Lehrgang involved the successful withdrawal of General Hans Hube's XIV Panzer Corps from Sicily to Calabria on August 17, 1943.
Answer: True
Explanation: Operation Lehrgang was the successful withdrawal of General Hans Hube's XIV Panzer Corps from Sicily to Calabria.
Operation Giant 2, an American airborne intervention to protect Rome, was cancelled due to strong German defenses around the capital.
Answer: False
Explanation: Operation Giant 2 was cancelled due to the disorganization of Italian forces and the Italian leadership's indecisiveness, not strong German defenses.
The Italian forces concentrated around Rome for its defense included the 135th Armored Cavalry Division 'Ariete' and the 21st Infantry Division 'Granatieri di Sardegna'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Italian forces concentrated for Rome's defense included the 135th Armored Cavalry Division 'Ariete' and the 21st Infantry Division 'Granatieri di Sardegna'.
The German forces deployed to capture Rome included General Kurt Student's 11th Airborne Corps and the 3rd Panzergrenadier Division.
Answer: True
Explanation: German forces deployed to capture Rome included General Kurt Student's 11th Airborne Corps and the 3rd Panzergrenadier Division.
Rome's 'open city' status was fully recognized by the Allies, preventing its use as a logistical hub by German forces.
Answer: False
Explanation: Rome's 'open city' status was never recognized by the Allies, and the Germans exploited it as a crucial logistical hub.
The German 90th Panzergrenadier Division successfully withdrew from Sardinia to Corsica without significant Italian interference.
Answer: True
Explanation: General Frido von Senger und Etterlin successfully withdrew the German 90th Panzergrenadier Division from Sardinia to Corsica without significant Italian impediment.
Field Marshal Rommel's Army Group B faced significant resistance in central and northern Italy, slowing the execution of Operation Achse.
Answer: False
Explanation: Field Marshal Rommel's Army Group B faced little resistance in central and northern Italy, leading to a swift and efficient execution of the 'Achse' plan.
The 4th Italian Army in Southern France successfully retreated to Italy, maintaining cohesion despite the armistice announcement.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 4th Italian Army in Southern France disintegrated under German pressure, with most soldiers dispersing or joining partisan groups, rather than retreating cohesively to Italy.
Why was Operation Giant 2, an American airborne division intervention for Rome, cancelled?
Answer: The Italian leadership's indecisiveness and disorganization of Italian forces.
Explanation: Operation Giant 2 was cancelled due to the disorganization of Italian forces and the Italian leadership's indecisiveness.
Which Italian division was part of the Motorized-Armored Army Corps concentrated for Rome's defense?
Answer: 135th Armored Cavalry Division 'Ariete'
Explanation: The 135th Armored Cavalry Division 'Ariete' was part of the Motorized-Armored Army Corps concentrated for Rome's defense.
Who commanded the German 11th Airborne Corps deployed to capture Rome?
Answer: General Kurt Student
Explanation: General Kurt Student commanded the German 11th Airborne Corps deployed to capture Rome.
How did the Germans utilize Rome's 'open city' status after its capitulation?
Answer: They used it as a crucial logistical hub for frontline forces.
Explanation: The Germans exploited Rome's 'open city' status by using it as a crucial logistical hub for their frontline forces.
What was the fate of the commander of the Naples garrison, Colonel Olivier?
Answer: He was executed after two days of resistance against a German armored column.
Explanation: Colonel Olivier, commander of the Naples garrison, was executed after two days of resistance against a German armored column.
Which Italian Army managed to maintain cohesion and offer successful resistance in Calabria, Basilicata, and Apulia?
Answer: The 7th Italian Army
Explanation: The 7th Italian Army managed to maintain cohesion and offer successful resistance in Calabria, Basilicata, and Apulia.
Who successfully withdrew the German 90th Panzergrenadier Division from Sardinia to Corsica?
Answer: General Frido von Senger und Etterlin
Explanation: General Frido von Senger und Etterlin successfully withdrew the German 90th Panzergrenadier Division from Sardinia to Corsica.
Italian soldiers in the Balkans often fought with more determination due to their isolation, hostile territory, and immediate German reprisals.
Answer: True
Explanation: Italian soldiers in the Balkans often fought with more determination due to their isolation, hostile territory, and the threat of immediate German reprisals.
In the Balkans, a majority of Italian soldiers joined German forces, with only a small fraction joining partisan groups.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the Balkans, 393,000 Italian soldiers were captured and deported to Germany, while only 29,000 joined the Germans and 20,000 joined partisan groups.
The 15th Infantry Division 'Bergamo' in Split, Yugoslavia, successfully defended the town and its generals were safely evacuated.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 15th Infantry Division 'Bergamo' in Split surrendered, and three of its generals were executed by the Germans.
The 151st Infantry Division 'Perugia' in Albania successfully embarked on ships for Italy after a fighting retreat.
Answer: False
Explanation: The majority of the 151st Infantry Division 'Perugia' was surrounded and surrendered, with its general and 130 officers executed, though some men did manage to embark.
The mortality rate for Italian soldiers in Albania during the winter of 1943-1944 was estimated at about one hundred deaths per day due to harsh conditions.
Answer: True
Explanation: The mortality rate for Italian soldiers in Albania during the winter of 1943-1944 was estimated at about one hundred deaths per day due to cold, starvation, and harsh conditions.
On Cephalonia, the Italian Acqui Division decided to resist a German ultimatum, leading to fierce fighting and subsequent mass executions by the Germans.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Italian Acqui Division on Cephalonia resisted a German ultimatum, leading to fierce fighting, surrender, and subsequent mass executions by the Germans.
The Italian garrison in Corfu successfully held the island against German forces, preventing their landing.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Italian garrison in Corfu surrendered to German forces after running out of ammunition, and its commander was executed.
What was the general situation of Italian forces in the Balkans at the time of the armistice?
Answer: Isolated, exhausted, and intermingled with German and Croat units.
Explanation: Italian forces in the Balkans were isolated, exhausted, and intermingled with German and Croat units at the time of the armistice.
What happened to the three Italian generals of the 15th Infantry Division 'Bergamo' after their surrender in Split?
Answer: They were executed by the Germans.
Explanation: The three Italian generals of the 15th Infantry Division 'Bergamo' were executed by the Germans after their surrender in Split.
What was the fate of General Ernesto Chiminello and 130 officers of the 151st Infantry Division 'Perugia' in Albania?
Answer: They were executed after the division's surrender.
Explanation: General Ernesto Chiminello and 130 officers of the 151st Infantry Division 'Perugia' were executed after the division's surrender in Albania.
The outcome of Operation Achse was an Axis victory, leading to the German occupation of Northern and central Italy and the establishment of the Italian Social Republic.
Answer: True
Explanation: Operation Achse resulted in an Axis victory, leading to the German occupation of Northern and central Italy and the establishment of the Italian Social Republic.
Italian forces suffered over one million soldiers disarmed during Operation Achse, in addition to significant casualties.
Answer: True
Explanation: Italian forces suffered between 20,000 and 30,000 killed, and 1,006,370 soldiers were disarmed during Operation Achse.
German forces captured only a small amount of Italian equipment, as most was destroyed by retreating Italian units.
Answer: False
Explanation: German forces captured a significant amount of Italian equipment, including 977 armored vehicles, 16,631 vehicles, and 17,058 artillery pieces and mortars.
The Wehrmacht achieved a significant strategic success with Operation Achse, securing crucial positions and capturing vast quantities of resources.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Wehrmacht achieved significant strategic success with Operation Achse, securing crucial positions and capturing vast quantities of weapons, equipment, and resources.
Nearly 800,000 Italian soldiers captured by the Germans were recognized as prisoners of war and treated according to international conventions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Nearly 800,000 Italian soldiers captured by the Germans were classified as 'Italian Military Internees' and forced into labor, not recognized as prisoners of war.
The collapse of the Italian state was primarily due to the overwhelming strength of German forces, rather than internal leadership failures.
Answer: False
Explanation: The collapse of the Italian state was primarily attributed to mistakes by the political and military leadership and their unrealistic initiatives, rather than solely the overwhelming strength of German forces.
Oflag 64/Z was a camp where Italian general officers were held and often mistreated for refusing allegiance to the Italian Social Republic.
Answer: True
Explanation: Oflag 64/Z was the camp where most Italian general officers were held and mistreated for refusing allegiance to the Italian Social Republic.
Only a small fraction of Italian soldiers, about 94,000, chose to continue fighting with the Germans immediately after Operation Achse.
Answer: True
Explanation: Approximately 94,000 Italian soldiers, mostly fascists, chose to continue fighting with the Germans immediately after Operation Achse.
What was a direct territorial change resulting from Operation Achse?
Answer: German occupation of Northern and central Italy and the Italian Social Republic.
Explanation: A direct territorial change resulting from Operation Achse was the German occupation of Northern and central Italy and the establishment of the Italian Social Republic.
Who was a key Italian commander who became a prisoner of war during Operation Achse?
Answer: Ezio Rosi
Explanation: Ezio Rosi was a key Italian commander who became a prisoner of war during Operation Achse.
Approximately how many Italian soldiers were disarmed during Operation Achse?
Answer: 1,006,370
Explanation: Approximately 1,006,370 Italian soldiers were disarmed during Operation Achse.
What was a primary cause attributed to the collapse of the Italian state and war machine?
Answer: Mistakes by the political and military leadership and unrealistic initiatives.
Explanation: The collapse of the Italian state and war machine was primarily attributed to mistakes by the political and military leadership and their unrealistic initiatives.
Where were most Italian general officers captured during Operation Achse gathered?
Answer: Oflag 64/Z in Schokken, Poland
Explanation: Most Italian general officers captured during Operation Achse were gathered at Oflag 64/Z in Schokken, Poland.
How many Italian soldiers chose to continue fighting with the Germans immediately after Operation Achse?
Answer: 94,000
Explanation: Approximately 94,000 Italian soldiers chose to continue fighting with the Germans immediately after Operation Achse.