2nd Air Division Quiz – Test your knowledge

Today, June 27th, is Armed Forces Day. This day is a chance to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. We thought we’d mark the day but quizzing you on your knowledge of the 2nd Air Division in a quiz created by our Library Assistant Tom. Have a go and leave your answers in the comments here or on Facebook. Then make sure to come back next week for all the answers!

1. Which four engined heavy bomber was flown by bomb groups of the Second Air Division?
– B-17 Flying Fortress
– B-24 Liberator
– B-29 Superfortress

2nd Air Division Archive at Norfolk Record Office. Catalogue Ref 371/916

2. Which Hollywood actor of pre-war fame served with the Second Air Division as a pilot flying combat missions?

– Clarke Gable
– Ronald Reagan
– James Stewart



3. What was the name of the Second Air Division bomber aircraft that flew the most number of missions, with no loss to crew and was therefore considered to be extremely lucky?

– Witchcraft
– Nine-o-Nine
– Ye Olde Pub



4. What was the date of the Ploesti raid, or Operation Tidal Wave, a bombing mission targeting oil production in Romania that was one of the bloodiest operations the Second Air Division took part in and later referred to as “Black Sunday”?

– 18th April, 1943
– 20th February, 1944
– 1st August, 1943

5. What was the abbreviation of the organisation of women’s branch of the United States Army as of July 1943?

– WAC
– WAAF
– WAVES

2nd Air Division Archive at Norfolk Record Office. Catalogue Ref 371/805

6. Should an airman of the Second Air Division be forced to parachute from a crashing aircraft and survive the journey to earth, what semi-formal club would he be eligible to be a member of?

– The Lucky Bastard Club
– Caterpillar Club
– Goldfish Club



7. In Norwich city during wartime a popular venue for dances and other recreation was the Samson and Hercules, an establishment just outside the cathedral grounds. What was one of the nicknames American servicemen used to refer to it by?

– Bishop’s Palace
– The Adam and Eve
– The Muscle Palace



8. One of the types of fighter aircraft that protected bombers of the Second Air Division was the P-51 Mustang. Which device of British origin greatly contributed to the Mustang’s performance, making it one of the best fighter aircraft of the war?

– Gee
– Merlin 66
– Window

2nd Air Division Archive at Norfolk Record Office. Catalogue Ref 371/916