During research into the crash of an aircraft in 1940, it appears that it had flown across Switzerland en-route to a target in southern Germany. Can anyone tell me if this was normal practise and also was it within the rules of warfare at the time? Steve Gray
This should give you some jumping-off points. From what I can gather there was a no-fly zone over the whole of Switzerland, but Swiss fighters did not actively engage foreign aircraft between July 1940 and October 1943. Even after that they were pretty passive: History of the Swiss Air Force - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I'd be almost certain it wasn't normal practice, so if this plane did overfly Switzerland it was presumably navigational error.
This should give you some jumping-off points. From what I can gather there was a no-fly zone over the whole of Switzerland, but Swiss fighters did not actively engage foreign aircraft between July 1940 and October 1943. Even after that they were pretty passive: History of the Swiss Air Force - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I'd be almost certain it wasn't normal practice, so if this plane did overfly Switzerland it was presumably navigational error. If I remember correctly the Swiss Air Force were responsible for shooting down quite a few German planes, Bombers and fighters included. Most Allied planes either entered Swiss airspace due to Navigational errors or landing in Switzerland due to battle damage. Crews were interned for the duration of the war. Regards Tom
Some time ago I was told a story by a 101 Squadron veteran living in Australia which I will repeat here. On the Dresden op in February 1945, 101 put up 21 aircraft. On average, the squadron took off from Ludford Magna between 2130 and 2200 hrs on 13 Feb. No kites were lost on the op and 20 aircraft returned between 0700 and 0743, most back on the ground by 0730 on the 14th. But what of the last one? SR-X didn't return until 0818. Reason? The pilot was of Swiss extraction and had promised his crew they would see where he was from. Dresden was as good a night as any and they spent an hour stooging about the skipper's hometown. Foolish? Probably as it was their last op and as has been posted the Swiss air force were known to shoot down intruders. Regards, Dave
This should give you some jumping-off points. From what I can gather there was a no-fly zone over the whole of Switzerland, but Swiss fighters did not actively engage foreign aircraft between July 1940 and October 1943. Even after that they were pretty passive: History of the Swiss Air Force - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I'd be almost certain it wasn't normal practice, so if this plane did overfly Switzerland it was presumably navigational error. That's really interesting; I didn't realise there was so much violation of their airspace, nor that there was actual combat with both the allies and axis forces. You certainly learn something new every day. The account I read of the British overflight which concerned 4 Whitleys, was written by an Austrian (where the plane crashed) and was sent to me by a contact in Germany. Obviously I have taken it at face value, but have no reason to disbelieve it. Assuming it to be correct, it seems unlikely all 4 were off course. Perhaps they knew they were safe from Swiss retaliation and took the chance. Thanks and best regards, Steve.
During research into the crash of an aircraft in 1940 Hi Steve - I'm presuming if the target was Southern Germany and it was 1940....the sortie was flown at night? The Swiss didn't have any nightfighter capability during the war IIRC, and certainly not during 1940. Whether or not the bomber should have flown over Switzerland, it definitely COULD have by night!
Some more historical detail here - http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-air/47956-swiss-puchase-12-bf-109g-6s-44-a.html
Hi Steve - I'm presuming if the target was Southern Germany and it was 1940....the sortie was flown at night? The Swiss didn't have any nightfighter capability during the war IIRC, and certainly not during 1940. Whether or not the bomber should have flown over Switzerland, it definitely COULD have by night! Yes, the crash occurred at 00.30 hrs and I had originally assumed the plane was damaged over the target (Augsburg) and was making for Switzerland as the closest neutral territory. The account I now have says the plane crashed with a full bomb load and was heading north-east at the time, just too low to avoid the mountains. Steve.
Some more historical detail here - Swiss puchase of 12 BF 109G-6s in 44 I am constantly amazed by the data that is out there. Thank God for computers or we'd take a hundred times as long to find it and then miss most. Thanks also to you Phylo for the pointers. Steve.
