OT: Trivia Time

[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.

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.

[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.



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.


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:


What kind of armored vehicle is this and during which operation?