1. TRUE
2. FALSE

True. Thousands of Allied soldiers were trained to send messages via pigeons … and it worked. By some estimates, the bird-based communication was about 90% effective. Legend has it that the birds were also trained to poo directly onto Nazi helmets.

1. to smuggle whiskey to the front lines
   to plan and create smoke screens
2. to buy cigarettes for troops

The Smoke Generator Operators analyzed weather forecasts and planned massive smoke screens. These smokescreens helped hide Allied movements from the enemy.

1. intelligence
   cryptography
2. trench warfare

U.S. balloon crewmen were responsible for maintaining and inflating hot air balloons used for intelligence purposes. They did all of the grunt work and safety checks that made sure the balloons worked properly.

1. to make pizza
   to aim bombs
2. to repair missiles

Bombardiers were the people who aimed bombs dropped from planes. It was one of the most important jobs in the Air Force.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

A few people were hired as playwrights during the war. Some, like famed comic book creature Stan Lee, went on to fabulous careers once the war was over.

1. to convince the Germans to give up
   to create educational material and propaganda
2. to recreate Shakespeare's greatest hits

The playwright job description indicates that these folks were meant to create scripts for educating military personnel regarding important matters. Novelist William Saroyan was one such employee.

1. nuclear bomb research
   rifle repair
2. oil drilling

The Women's Army Corp performed vital jobs like rifle repair. In doing so, they ensured that Allied soldiers had enough weapons to fight the Axis.

1. to detect enemies and mines
   to "sniff out" the enemy
2. all of the above

U.S. combat dog handlers trained countless dogs that served in the war. The dogs were trained to detect hazards and enemies so that Allied troops would be safer as they advanced across a battlefield.

1. They were on the front lines.
   The dogs just wanted to play with sticks ... and bombs.
2. The dogs barked and made it easy for the enemy to find the soldiers.

Combat dog handlers took their animals to the very edges of the front lines. There, they were exposed to every possible war hazard, from mines to bullets, to bayonets.

1. They located landmines.
   They flew jet fighters.
2. They watched for enemy planes in American airspace.

The Aircraft Warning Service was a civilian program meant to detect any enemy aircraft heading into American airspace. The service was deactivated in the spring of 1944.

1. Generals wanted only the most polished diamonds.
   The crystals were needed for radio communications
2. Their crystals were used to cast powerful anti-Nazi spells.

Crystal Grinders did the precision work of grinding quartz crystals for radios. These radios, of course, made WWII communications much easier.

1. influenza
   machine gun explosion
2. chemical attack

The Decontaminating Equipment Operator used a portable sprayer to hose down anyone and anything that was affected in a chemical attack. They wore gas masks and understood the chemicals they were working with.

1. They charged into enemy lines using paint brushes as bayonets.
   They threw feces at them. It was "art."
2. They created camouflage and decoys.

Artists were incredibly important in the matter of deception. They created decoy structures and vehicles to distract the enemy … and they made large camouflaged items that hid troops and equipment from prying eyes.

1. intercepted a long bomb
   intercepted enemy infantry
2. intercepted enemy communications

The Intercept Operators were intelligence-related employees. They intercepted enemy communications and monitored radio traffic for information that often turned the tide of battle.

1. World Air and Space Pilots
   white Anglo Saxon Protestant
2. Women’s Airforce Service Pilots

The United States started the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program, and during the course of the war, many women flew military aircraft. Dozens were killed during their missions.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Although female WASP pilots risked their lives for their country, they weren't considered part of the military. They were regarded as civilian employees and received no military benefits or honors.

1. artists
   Air Force pilots
2. janitors

Artists built massive dummy vehicles and tanks to mimic the buildup of forces … far, far away from the real forces in southern England. The plan effectively prevented the Germans from predicting the D-Day attack point.

1. planted mines
   created segregated infantry units
2. said "y'all" a lot

The Coxswain, Mine Yawl job description indicated a deadly task. It meant these soldiers planted underwater mines to protect coastal areas from enemy ships.

1. They used their lungs to blow up thousands of party balloons.
   They operated fun amusement parks.
2. They secured large balloons tethered with steel cables.

With steel cables attached to the ground or vehicles, the Allies tethered many thousands of large balloons in big groups. These balloons were meant to deter low-flying Axis planes.

1. Navy
   Air Force
2. Marines

Some Air Force bombers were equipped with remote control gun turrets. It was the job of the Remote Control Turret Repairman to make sure these weapons were up to snuff.

1. to make hot dogs
   to dig foxholes
2. to blow up tanks

The Russians trained explosives-loaded dogs to approach German tanks. This tactic meant fewer Fidos … but increased Russians' survival odds.

1. made peace with Native Americans
   cleared the way for troops
2. created homesteads and farms

Allied Pioneers were the engineering guys who cleared the way for the troops who followed. They moved obstructions and made temporary repairs to roadways.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

At first, the Women’s Army Corps wasn't part of the "real" army. But later, it was upgraded to full military status. These women filled countless positions that helped turn the tide of the war.

1. They wired up time bombs.
   They inspected, handled and disposed of ammunition.
2. They renovated homes using ammunition.

Ammunition Renovators handled various aspects of ammunition, from inspection to disposal. They could also repair broken ammunition.

1. Their lips froze to their trumpets.
   They picked up guns and started fighting.
2. They caught smallpox.

Military band members don't typically get caught in the fighting. But at desperate fights like the Battle of the Bulge, the band members laid down their instruments and picked up guns … and died fighting.

1. to watch the weather
   to catch Hitler
2. to locate truffles

The Radiosonde Operator was a part of the weather forecasting team. These people used portable devices called radiosondes to monitor environmental conditions and generate weather forecasts.

1. to analyze enemy artillery fire
   to record nature sounds on the front lines
2. to make industrial rock albums

Specially-trained troops used sound recording devices to capture enemy artillery fire. With that data, they could figure out what sort of gun was shooting at them … and also get an idea of where it was located.

1. hacking
   surveying
2. front attacks

The Geodetic Computer job description made these people indispensable for surveying and topographical mapping. They helped the armed forces plan their movements.

1. Demolition Specialist
   Dredgeman
2. Pontoneer

The Demolition Specialist had (at least at a glance) one of the most awesome jobs of the war -- they got to blow up stuff to hinder the enemy and help the Allies. But their work often placed them in areas with heavy combat.

1. Marines
   Air Force
2. Nazis

Link Trainer Instructors helped pilot trainees operate the Link Trainer, an early flight simulator. They made sure pilots were ready to soar into the skies.