The Cruiser USS Indianapolis delivered the bomb and then proceeded to sail to the Phillipines but was torpedoed by a Jap sub and sank. Because of radio silence in effect nobody knew what had happened It was days before anyone noticed that the Indianapolis was overdue. The captain of the Indianapolis was courtmartialed.

Doppleganger

The question refers to the worst disaster at sea in the history of the US Navy, hardly obscure! a film was made on it as well. I also warned that a bit a lateral thinking was required so this hints it might not be an obvious answer relating to the aircraft crew.

I am just trying to post something which causes people too think a little rather than just type something into a search engine, or is so obscure it has little significance outside a specialist arena. Obscure questions are easy to ask, but it takes a bit of time to think of these!

PS Thanks Tom Tom your turn.

The horrendous death refers to that half of the bodies were shark bitten.

(Regarding the bonus I was thinking of the eventual death of the captain by suicide).

Originally Posted by perseus

Doppleganger

The question refers to the worst disaster at sea in the history of the US Navy, hardly obscure! a film was made on it as well. I also warned that a bit a lateral thinking was required so this hints it might not be an obvious answer relating to the aircraft crew.

I am just trying to post something which causes people too think a little rather than just type something into a search engine, or is so obscure it has little significance outside a specialist arena. Obscure questions are easy to ask, but it takes a bit of time to think of these!

PS Thanks Tom Tom your turn.

The horrendous death refers to that half of the bodies were shark bitten.

(Regarding the bonus I was thinking of the eventual death of the captain by suicide).

I think you misunderstood me Perseus. I was asking a question, not making a comment on your question!

Originally Posted by tomtom22

The captain of the Indianapolis was courtmartialed.

Yes, he was courtmartialled due to the fact that he decided to sail without zig-zaging, against standing orders, in an area known to contain enemy submarines, in order to save time.

Originally Posted by Doppleganger

I'm sure I could ask some challenging questions regarding WW2 but how obscure do they need to be?

For example:

What is the significance of the German Panzer Division 'Kempf'?

Basically as long as the answer is attainable without a Phd I pretty much think that any question within the WW2 area is acceptable.

I myself tend to prefer easier questions as it encourages more participation and things flow a bit quicker.

Incidently " What is the significance of the German Panzer Division 'Kempf" is an interesting question as "combined" units were unusual at that time.

A formal SS Division did not exist until October 1939, however certain SS-VT units did participate in the Polish Campaign. In July 1939, The Oberkommandoheer [OKH] decided to create a unique unit in preparation for the assault on Poland. This unit was officially designated as the East Prussian Tank Unit and command was given to Generalmajor Werner Kempf. Kempf was the former commander of the 4th Panzer Brigade, and after taking command of the East Prussian Tank Unit, the unit would be referred to as Panzer Division Kempf.
source: http://www.dasreich.ca/kempf.html

Ok well done MonytB and Tomtom. The answer I was looking for was that it was the only German Division that had both Heer and Waffen SS components and led directly to the formation of 'Das Reich', which would eventually end up as a full Panzer Division. But you were both close enough.

Next time I will ask a question where the answer might be a little harder to come by.

I don't have time right at the moment to come up with a good question, so I'll pass my turn over to Doppleganger.

My apologies for snapping at you Doppleganger, Ive been getting a few hints that my questions were too specialist or hard, perhaps true in a few cases to be honest!

Did you know the answer to the one at the top of here, just up your street I think!

WWII Quiz

Originally Posted by perseus

My apologies for snapping at you Doppleganger, Ive been getting a few hints that my questions were too specialist or hard, perhaps true in a few cases to be honest!

Did you know the answer to the one at the top of here, just up your street I think!

WWII Quiz

No worries Perseus. And the answer is Guderian of course.

Wikipedia and the net in general make it kinda easy to find answers. But anyway, an easy question I think.

Q: What was invariably the first thing that Western Allied soldiers did upon reaching the banks of the River Rhine?