anwright Posted 27 April , 2004 Share Posted 27 April , 2004 I do not recall reading anything about what life was like at the front adjacent to the Swiss border - any thoughts? A Wright Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Birch Posted 27 April , 2004 Share Posted 27 April , 2004 It was generally quiet. Both sides were at pains to try and avoid violating Swiss neutrality, and hence artillery action was generally curtailed so as to reduce the risks of stray rounds or overshoots entering Swiss territory. The Swiss made it clear that they would not tolerate violation by either side and mobilised 450,000 men to protect their borders. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Simon Bull Posted 29 April , 2004 Share Posted 29 April , 2004 Does anyone know if there are any photographs extant of what the Western Front actually looked like where it met the Swiss border? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul guthrie Posted 29 April , 2004 Share Posted 29 April , 2004 Yes Simon, a guard house at Pfetterhouse or something like that, but of course I can't tell you where I saw it, sorry, but know it exists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
healdav Posted 30 April , 2004 Share Posted 30 April , 2004 It was reproduced in the WFA 'Stand To' a few years ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROONAERT Posted 1 May , 2004 Share Posted 1 May , 2004 It was reproduced in the WFA 'Stand To' a few years ago ...and also in "Gunfire". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marco Posted 1 May , 2004 Share Posted 1 May , 2004 Good thing this questions pops up every half year or so, it's free publicity: http://www.xs4all.nl/~aur/Battlefields/swiss.htm http://www.xs4all.nl/~aur/Battlefields/Vosgestravel.htm Nice ww1 colour photograph of the boderpost in the last link. Regards, Marco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anwright Posted 2 May , 2004 Author Share Posted 2 May , 2004 Marco, Thanks for the links - they are duly bookmarked! And thanks for the other comments in this thread, too. A Wright Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDick Posted 2 May , 2004 Share Posted 2 May , 2004 Given due regard for Swiss neutrality, did the respective trenchlines literally stop at the border, or did they peter-out a few hundred yards from it, providing a front narrow enough to obviate a flank attack in any numbers yet ensuring no stray bullets went into Swiss territory? I've seen a few diagrams of 1918 positions, and at this extreme end of the Front both sides had divisions covering their flanks. Were the Swiss strictly neutral, or did they grant more favours to one side or the other? How did they fare, given that protagonists surrounded their country and merchant shipping and civilian production was severely reduced? Cheers Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted 2 May , 2004 Share Posted 2 May , 2004 Hi I often visit Alsace and the Vosges. Was there any particular area you are interested in? I'm fairly familiar with the battlefield areas up there. I have some pictures which I'm going to post shortly, when they've been properly scanned and edited. The books I've read and own about that area in the Great War are in French. Are titles of any use to you? Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anwright Posted 2 May , 2004 Author Share Posted 2 May , 2004 Gwyn, I am a rank amateur at this, & non-French speaking, so please do not put in a lot of effort on my behalf. The photos sound very interesting, & any pointers that provide an overview to the situation on this part of the Western Front are welcome. With thanks, A Wright Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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