The general mobilisation

All of Switzerland

Key figures: Henri Guisan

Further reading: Henri Guisan

War at the gates (1938–1939). Faced with the threat of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, Switzerland prepared itself. In 1938 it returned to integral neutrality, the army was strengthened and families were asked to keep supplies for two months. The 1939 National Exhibition in Zurich, the «Landi», became the great celebration of the country's «spiritual national defence».

The general (30 August 1939). At the end of August the frontier troops were called up. On 30 August the Federal Assembly elected Henri Guisan of Vaud as general, the officer who would lead the army for six years and become the symbol of Swiss resistance.

The mobilisation (2 September 1939). On 1 September Germany invaded Poland, and the next day the Federal Council ordered general mobilisation. By 3 September 430,000 soldiers and 210,000 people in the auxiliary services were on duty, among them 10,000 women of the new Women's Auxiliary Service. At the moment of greatest danger 850,000 people would be mobilised.

Six years of active service (1939–1945). During the «Phoney War» many soldiers went home, then periods of service alternated for years. So as not to leave families without wages, in 1940 the loss-of-earnings allowance was introduced, a forerunner of the post-war old-age and survivors' insurance.