Mobilised
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Geneva, September 2, 1939. Germany has attacked Poland.(Keystone) Keystone -
Soldiers and civilians read a poster announcing the mobilisation. (Keystone) Keystone -
Henri Guisan was promoted to the rank of general on August 30, 1939, by the federal parliament in Bern, making him the head of the army. (RDB) RDB -
Soldiers waiting for a tram in Zurich. (Keystone) Keystone -
Spectators in Zurich watch on as border troops gather. (Keystone) Keystone -
Calling up the emergency services' reserves at Zurich barracks. (RDB) RDB -
Farewell at Zurich station. (RDB) RDB -
A hat and a gas mask: fire-fighting attire fit for a lady. (RDB) RDB -
The cover of the "Sie & Er" magazine on September 8, 1939. (RDB) RDB -
The removal of road signs was one of the first measures taken after the mobilisation was announced. (Keystone) Keystone -
Religious nurses on a train. (RDB) RDB -
A Zurich woman is trained as a conductor for the local tram service. (RDB) RDB -
Soldiers shoe a horse. (RDB) RDB -
Children accompany soldiers as they reach their camp. (RDB) RDB -
Mountain troops hoist the Swiss flag near the Mont Fort hut in canton Valais. (Keystone) Keystone
Life in neutral Switzerland changed suddenly with the Second World War.
This content was published on August 31, 2009 - 10:09Switzerland prepared itself against a possible assault by neighbouring Nazi Germany after hostilities broke out on September 1, 1939. The militia-based Swiss army was mobilised after the German attack on Poland. Although the country was never threatened in the end, people's lives were turned upside down. Men went off to serve their country while women were left alone to work in factories and look after businesses and farms.
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