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Posted: 7/2/2014 2:52:35 PM EDT
I would like to know about Switzerland's position during WWII. Yeah I know they were neutral. But if Hilter had prevailed did they think he would leave them alone?
Link Posted: 7/2/2014 3:11:43 PM EDT
[#1]
If you're interested in the subject of the practical application, the relation between Switzerland, Germany, and the allies, this is a good book.

The author is a bit repetitive at times, but the subject matter doesn't suffer.



http://www.amazon.com/Target-Switzerland-Swiss-Armed-Neutrality/dp/0306813254/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404327942&sr=1-1&keywords=armed+neutrality


Link Posted: 7/2/2014 5:05:49 PM EDT
[#2]
Read that the Swiss were prepared to blow all the passes into the country if necessary just to keep the Germans out.  Plus every man was former militia and armed.  Germany thought taking it was not worth the trouble.
Link Posted: 7/2/2014 9:33:46 PM EDT
[#3]
Here's the official Swiss government report on WWII activities on this site:

http://www.uek.ch/en/index.htm

A website distilling some of that data into a smaller reading:

http://history-switzerland.geschichte-schweiz.ch/switzerland-second-world-war-ii.html

The Swiss Army's plan was to defend the frontiers strongly, but with limited troops in order to give the bulk of the Army time to head to the National Redoubt in the most inaccessible part of the Alps.  This, though, would have ceded control of the majority of the country, including its major cities to Axis control.

Website on war plans:

http://www.schweiz1940.ch/tannen40-en/

Map of operations order 11, showing the central redoubt:




It makes sense in context of the geography of the country, with relatively flat and open terrain in the north:



Link Posted: 7/3/2014 5:01:39 PM EDT
[#4]
I don't think Hitler would have invaded Switzerland.  Switzerland was useful as a stash for Nazi gold.
Link Posted: 7/7/2014 10:21:36 AM EDT
[#5]
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Quoted:
I don't think Hitler would have invaded Switzerland.  Switzerland was useful as a stash for Nazi gold.
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The history of Switzerland in WW2 is murky to say the least.  And the Swiss want to keep it that way.
Link Posted: 7/11/2014 5:16:58 PM EDT
[#6]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I don't think Hitler would have invaded Switzerland.  Switzerland was useful as a stash for Nazi gold.
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They were already working together, so the Nazis had little reason to invade. Also, with Switzerland being landlocked and surrounded by Axis countries, they would have had a hard time resisting.
Link Posted: 7/11/2014 11:57:30 PM EDT
[#7]
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