Based on actual incidents.
Swiss Cabinet meeting, 15 March 1943
The American Ambassador has no comment, no explanation. We can expel the Ambassador in protest. I prefer he remains here under close surveillance.
The bombing yesterday was of nuisance value; it damaged some houses, roads and livestock. How many cows, asked a wit? Smiles all round. Cows have a place in Swiss hearts. But we are not at war with the Americans! Were the planes lost, a long way from Munich and other targets? No, it is our factory in Werther, the sole supply of aluminium to Germany, that they want to bomb. We must plan our response today before they return tomorrow. Open for discussion. Practical measures please, said General Weyland.
That eliminates anti-aircraft batteries: we have none, although we have field artillery aplenty. Borrowing them from our neighbours would be undesirable and unlikely. Can we move all or some facets of the factory away to the mountains? Good, that is for investigation. In fact, aluminium is produced in rolls and shipped by truck or rail. We should now ship as many rolls as possible from the factory, leaving the least amount to be destroyed. Agreed.
Gentlemen, the Americans may have forgotten that Switzerland has an air force: we have two squadrons of Dassault fighters, twelve aircraft in all. These are the latest French fighters. We can surprise the Americans tomorrow; they will probably think we are Germans.
The key is to plan the timing of our attack. Their bombers have little time over the target after their long flight from England, ten minutes say. We must be in exactly the right position at that time. Colonel, that is your task.
We need a lookout to define when they near then cross our border. Telephone and radio will not be sufficient. A spotter plane is needed. But this requires more thought.
A delicate matter. Might we suggest to the Germans that they move temporarily one or two squadrons nearby to attack the Americans as they approach Switzerland? But these resources may be too scarce to move.
Non-military matters. Should we close schools near the factory? No, houses and schools are equally prone to bombing. Local schools are small; high schools lie in the provincial towns. What risks are there if the factory is bombed? Will we face fire or molten aluminium flowing through the Werther valley, and how can we limit that? Is there already a fire plan? Yes indeed. Hospitals will prepare for burns and other injuries. Minister of the Interior, these are matters for your review.
Of course, there must eventually be compensation for damages with police records to match.
Oh, Security has detained four people, Swiss citizens, on suspicion. We are encouraging them to help us with our enquiries. Their bank records show large sudden payments.
We will adjourn now, meeting again at 5pm to review. We must draft our communiques to the Americans and the Germans. And our press release. I will address the evening radio news.
Days later… This is a puzzle. The bombing raids continue; this is a campaign, not an error of navigation. The aluminium plant has not been hit. Not even close. The bombs fall willy-nilly on towns, villages and farms. Is the goal to terrorise and punish us? The score is one all. One Swiss fighter, one American bomber downed. Two airmen taken prisoner. Two is a small number to bargain with. Too small.
Signed Weyland.
Bio
A man’s a man wrote Berthold Brecht. That covers it for Peter Wright, now writer.