Preserving the History of World War II
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Eldred World War II Museum
Copyright © 2007. Joseph Bradley. All Rights Reserved.
Address: 201 Main Street P.O. Box 273 Eldred, PA 16731 | Phone: 814-225-2220
Copyright © 2007. Joseph Bradley. All Rights Reserved.
Address: 201 Main Street P.O. Box 273 Eldred, PA 16731 | Phone: 814-225-2220
Switzerland
The Eldred World War II Museum
Switzerland continued its' tradition of neutrality when World War II broke out. However,
surrounded by Mussolini's Italy and Hitler's Germany, Austria and later France, this would not
prove an easy task for Switzerland.
Although Germany had drawn up plans to invade Switzerland as early as 1940, it was decided
an invasion would not be worth the effort. After the fall of Poland, Swiss armed forces had
been mobilized and were preparing for a Nazi invasion. The invasion would never come and
Switzerland would remain a neutral country for the duration of World War II.
Switzerland would serve as a detention facility for both Allied and Axis airmen. Airmen
whose plane needed to make an emergency landing in Switzerland or had bailed out of their
damaged aircraft over Swiss airspace were held in Switzerland until the war had ended.
After the war, it was discovered that valuables looted from the Jews by the Nazi's had been
sent to Switzerland and locked away, keeping them from returning to their rightful owners.
While some of the stolen items have been returned via lawsuits and public and political
pressure, it may never be known just how much property stolen by the Nazis was sent to
Switzerland and how much remains there today.
surrounded by Mussolini's Italy and Hitler's Germany, Austria and later France, this would not
prove an easy task for Switzerland.
Although Germany had drawn up plans to invade Switzerland as early as 1940, it was decided
an invasion would not be worth the effort. After the fall of Poland, Swiss armed forces had
been mobilized and were preparing for a Nazi invasion. The invasion would never come and
Switzerland would remain a neutral country for the duration of World War II.
Switzerland would serve as a detention facility for both Allied and Axis airmen. Airmen
whose plane needed to make an emergency landing in Switzerland or had bailed out of their
damaged aircraft over Swiss airspace were held in Switzerland until the war had ended.
After the war, it was discovered that valuables looted from the Jews by the Nazi's had been
sent to Switzerland and locked away, keeping them from returning to their rightful owners.
While some of the stolen items have been returned via lawsuits and public and political
pressure, it may never be known just how much property stolen by the Nazis was sent to
Switzerland and how much remains there today.
Affiliation: Neutral
Entered the War: N/A
Killed in Action: N/A
Entered the War: N/A
Killed in Action: N/A
