Switzerland a Neutral country during WW2

[BlackSheep214]

Think again:

http://untoldvalor.blogspot.com/2007/06 ... -hero.html

I am currently reading the book Untold Valor and have read chapter 2 - 'Black Hole of Wauwilermoos'. I had a real hard time reading that particular chapter and ended up with tears in my eyes afterwards. He went through so much unspeakable and untold hell while incarnated there. I can't even think about it without tearing up.

If you get a chance, do pick up Untold Valor. There are stories you don't hear much about of WW2. Not even history books tells those tales.

[Stikpusher]

Then, as now, Switzerland acts in its' own interests. It sat out both World Wars, participating in none of the alliances. But that does not mean its' actions were benign, peaceful, or harmless. It played all sides for its' own advantages. Just like Sweden, Spain, and Turkey, who all had their own slant on "neutrality" in Europe during WWII. All had their diplomatic, business, financial, and other dealings with belligerents on both sides. The more one digs into history, the more of the dark chapters can be found.

[BlackSheep214]

Who knew there were Swiss Nazis during WW2. Dan Culler's stricken B-24 Liberator was intercepted and escorted by German Bf-109s with Swiss markings when it bellied landed in Neutral Switzerland. Switzerland even had German 88s on their borders ready to shoot down any aircraft entering their airspace.

So many dark chapters throughout the war indeed.

[KSaarni]

Totally new information for me also!
Very interesting, thanks for sharing Blacksheep!


- Kari

[Stikpusher]

Many countries in that era had their own fasciast or nazi parties. Fascism had its followers throughout Europe in various countries opposed to their own communist parties. The USA had the American Bund that was sympathetic to Hitler's Germany. Of course that movement was under FBI scrutiny, and faded once the USA entered the war. And yes, Switzerland defended its neutrality with force, often using German manufactured weapons. I do recall reading about some German prototype aircraft coming down for whatever reason in Swiss territory, with some new technology aboard. The Nazis traded the Swiss x amount of Me-109s to get it back.

Even our "allies", the Soviets, were rather hostile to US aircraft that ended up there during the Pacific War, toeing the neutrality line with Japan until the last possible moment.

[BorgR3mc0]

I knew the about the shady business dealings of the Swiss, the refusal to accept Jews from Germany and how Swiss banks played a role in transferring money that the Nazi's confisquated.
But I had never heared of this kind of physical abuse of internees. A disgrace.