Tango01 | 18 Apr 2021 10:04 p.m. PST |
… Germans Invade Switzerland? "By the end of 1940, the German Wehrmacht had overrun most of its neighbors — only brave little Switzerland remained free. But why did Adolf Hitler spare the Swiss? To this day, the myth still abounds in this small Alpine nation that the Swiss Army would have repelled the Nazi invader had they attacked. It's not that the Führer did not have a plan. On the contrary, "Operation Tannenbaum" or "Operation Christmas Tree," involving 300,000 to 500,000 German and Italian troops, had already been drawn up…" Main page link Armand
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deadhead | 19 Apr 2021 1:10 a.m. PST |
Why bother? No threat to the Third Reich, if anything more use as a local neutral country with international connections. Fighting in Southern Switzerland (if an invasion opposed) would have been murderous. Lots for those Alpine troops to do and no armour to help. Belgium, Luxemburg and Netherlands were unfortunate to just be in the way of an invasion route. Norway was strategically placed and liable to Allied invasion, if Hitler did not move in. Sweden was left alone, as a valuable supplier and no real threat. Ireland impossible to reach and still bombed (OK by accident). |
Lee Metford | 19 Apr 2021 1:25 a.m. PST |
Many thanks Tango for posting. I really enjoyed reading it whilst sipping my morning coffee. An interesting article which I would have never read if you hadn't posted it here which makes it my worthwhile to log into TMP every day. Thanks again! |
Florida Tory | 19 Apr 2021 5:57 a.m. PST |
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Grelber | 19 Apr 2021 9:09 a.m. PST |
Besides, Liechtenstein having already turned down the offer of Anschluss with Germany, might well have sided with the Swiss! Grelber |
The Virtual Armchair General | 19 Apr 2021 10:21 a.m. PST |
GAD! What a Juggernaut! The Swiss-Liechtenstein Alliance! "Look on our works, ye Mighty, and despair!" TVAG |
Frederick | 19 Apr 2021 12:03 p.m. PST |
Interesting article – bottom line, Switzerland was just not worth it – plus as noted there were advantages to having a neutral country you could do banking with |
Tango01 | 19 Apr 2021 12:35 p.m. PST |
Thanks my friends!. Armand |
HMS Exeter | 19 Apr 2021 4:58 p.m. PST |
Has anyone ever mused about what would have happened if the allies had overrun the entire German/Swiss border,only to have Hitler overfly at night in a Feisler and land somewhere in Switzerland. To be sure, he would have entered Switzerland illegally, but then what. They couldn't just drive him to a border checkpoint. They'd be handing into POW status. I suppose the Swiss would insist that some autonomous German Civil authority be instituted, into whose custody the Swiss would boot him. |
John the OFM | 19 Apr 2021 6:11 p.m. PST |
Goering, the noted diplomat, was allegedly inspecting the Swiss army with the C-in-C of the Swiss army. The Swiss general, accurately, told Goering that he had 500,000 soldiers. Goering, the diplomat, asked "What if we invade with a million soldiers?" The Switzer answered, "Well then, each soldier will have to fire twice." Allegedly. But it makes a good story. I hope it's true. |
Arjuna | 20 Apr 2021 8:51 a.m. PST |
Forget about that armed, tough, freedom loving Swiss Mountain Warrior myth they cultivated after '45. Why bother to enslave what was eager to serve before you even asked it? They hated Jews, they loved Germans. But most of all, they loved money. The Nazis gave them both, German money, Jewish money. Stolen Jewish money, fled Jewish money. And the Germans eliminated the Jews. So for the Swiss back then, what was not to love about the Reich? The Nazis on the other hand had more important things to do. Eliminating Jews and conquering Europe. So why invade your loyal banker that manages your blood money/gold/jewelry/art? Hitler outright despised the Swiss and didn't cared about them. Bergier commission on Wikipedia World Jewish Congress lawsuit against Swiss banks on Wikipedia Operation Tannenbaum |
The Virtual Armchair General | 20 Apr 2021 9:02 a.m. PST |
OFM! That hoary old story goes back to Kaiser Bill, and likely before that to Napoleon, Caesar, and Alley Oop. "Der Dicke" had nothing to do with it. TVAG |
John the OFM | 20 Apr 2021 12:20 p.m. PST |
Since Kaiser Bill was an even more brilliant diplomat than Goering, you're probably correct. It's still a good story. Since it's probably apocryphal and difficult to pin down, we're free to attribute it to whomever we wish. |
Legion 4 | 20 Apr 2021 5:12 p.m. PST |
Two reasons why Germany, or anyone, did not invade Switzerland : 1) Swiss Banks accounts – everybody with big bucks has one or more … 2) CD to the Swedish Bikini Tm – Yes they are in Sweden but no reason to take that risk … |
Tango01 | 21 Apr 2021 1:01 p.m. PST |
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