America's 'War' Against Switzerland

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  • Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
  • The not very widely known aerial fighting and bombing that occurred between the United States and Switzerland during WWII.
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Комментарии • 8 тыс.

  • @xx6489
    @xx6489 4 года назад +3831

    "By how far did you miss your target?"
    "250km"

    • @xx6489
      @xx6489 4 года назад +176

      @Kamchatka,The 2nd Pacific Naval Squadron. I hear you. But, 250km, I'll say it again "250km" navigation back then wasn't great....but 250km..... really!!!, and we're not talking huge runs like the Pacific, this was a few hundred miles over Europe. You can miss entire countries in Europe by overshooting 250 km.... Which they did
      C'mon 250km.....

    • @toastyboi3688
      @toastyboi3688 4 года назад +83

      wow... that's a lot of people who know nothing about flying or weather. I am a pilot, and as a pilot I can say that it would be very very hard to navigate without transponders or radar. Bad weather can throw you off course even when you do have a transponder and ATC to talk to. These guys wouldn't be able to see landmarks on the ground from such an altitude, 250km makes a lot of sense. These guys would literally be relying on a calculation/bearing and a map, that's barely anything to work with.

    • @niklasmolen4753
      @niklasmolen4753 4 года назад +70

      @@toastyboi3688
      250 km the other way is Maastricht in the Netherlands. 200 km is enough to fly over Switzerland at the widest point. If the margin of error is so large, it would mean that the bomber lacked military value. There are plenty of landmarks, rivers, canals and the alps. It was actually daytime. The airplane crews are not idiots, who do not have access to maps. You don't make such big mistakes. There are punitive bombings that are called mistakes to avoid bad publicity. Then the documentation suddenly disappears for that particular event. That is how it is done in war.

    • @xx6489
      @xx6489 4 года назад +34

      @@toastyboi3688 ok...Yet (somehow) they managed to get back home to their tiny little airstrips.... Explain that.

    • @toastyboi3688
      @toastyboi3688 4 года назад +1

      @@niklasmolen4753 again.... 20,000 ft above and only relying on a map, easy to miss something, weather conditions worsen this by a large margin

  • @mrichar9
    @mrichar9 4 года назад +5518

    "Get off my lawn."
    - Switzerland 1939

    • @sweetwater88
      @sweetwater88 4 года назад +332

      "Don't touch my Nazi gold!" - Also Switzerland 1939-1945

    • @bllau
      @bllau 4 года назад +254

      Hippity hoppity get off my property.

    • @samuraikatsumoto
      @samuraikatsumoto 4 года назад +21

      @@bllau lmao under rated comment

    • @LostShipMate
      @LostShipMate 4 года назад +72

      I have less and less reasons to consider Switzerland "Neutral" by any definition.

    • @scottfagerstrom9312
      @scottfagerstrom9312 4 года назад +159

      @@LostShipMate you can only be just so neutral when you're completely surrounded by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.

  • @writerconsidered
    @writerconsidered 4 года назад +1424

    "Switzerland, what was your involvement in ww2?"
    Switzerland "It's complicated"

    • @mahirmahir7097
      @mahirmahir7097 4 года назад +24

      @BLUE DOG Get some help

    • @ninju5337
      @ninju5337 4 года назад

      BLUE DOG do me a favor gerara hia!

    • @Bialy_1
      @Bialy_1 4 года назад +14

      @BLUE DOG The stories that you trying to sell here are invented by what you call "the Bank of Satan"...
      Swiss did not get rich because of banks or mafia and they did not steal billions from inocent victims of WW2.
      Swiss success with just freedom is pain in the ass of people that pulling the strings and selling left wing propaganda to everyone as the "progress".

    • @keighlancoe5933
      @keighlancoe5933 4 года назад +18

      Sweden *looks uncomfortable and slowly shuffles out of the room*

    • @writerconsidered
      @writerconsidered 4 года назад +9

      @@mahirmahir7097 He may have taken it a bit too far, however banks were and are opportunists and took full advantage of the war. There was a lot going on between the Nazi's and swiss banks.

  • @TrueRetroflection
    @TrueRetroflection 4 года назад +2851

    Switzerland is that neighbor who keeps all the frisbees that go over his fence

    • @OlOleander
      @OlOleander 3 года назад +100

      This is so accurate it hurts.
      ... Sort of the exact opposite of the bombing in this story, eh?

    • @GameplayBitFlipper
      @GameplayBitFlipper 3 года назад +147

      we dont keep em, we make nice deals before giving them out :)

    • @Hi-lb8cq
      @Hi-lb8cq 3 года назад +5

      lololololololololol!!!!!!

    • @gianurwiler5098
      @gianurwiler5098 3 года назад +4

      xD

    • @The_Touring_Jedi
      @The_Touring_Jedi 3 года назад +21

      Even today they use every situation to earn money in every conflict. Napolen and Russia gave Switzerland them freedom to be neutral. Still the WHO main office is in Switzerland, hence how they neutral are.

  • @DeathMaster52LP
    @DeathMaster52LP 4 года назад +1312

    The pilot of the Messerschmitt Bf 110 G who emergency landette in Switzerland was the brother of my great-grandfather Wilhelm Johnen. He also wrote a book Duell unter den Sternen (Duel under the stars)

    • @johndoe5432
      @johndoe5432 4 года назад +62

      That's super cool.

    • @pastaboiiijr.6140
      @pastaboiiijr.6140 4 года назад +39

      Wenn das stimmt kannst du dich glücklich schätzen

    • @Baza1964
      @Baza1964 4 года назад +31

      I have read that book , an excellent story .

    • @TheHelghast1138
      @TheHelghast1138 4 года назад +9

      That's awesome! Fantastic book!!

    • @danlugo4365
      @danlugo4365 4 года назад +18

      Thank him for his service

  • @Flakfire
    @Flakfire 4 года назад +3731

    My grandfather (now 90) remembers the bombing of Schaffhausen, as he was only about 10 miles away. Some off the bombs fell into nearby woods and the craters still remain (I've seen them myself). He describes both the American and German aircraft as a nuisance, but doesn't believe it was an accident and understands why the Americans bombed the city. He says ball bearings were being made and then sold to Germany as part of the country's efforts to maintain its independence. Switzerland made several types of concessions to both Germany and the Allies in an effort to stave off occupation. It was a tricky balance between being a pain in the ass and placating threats.
    I also see a few comments claiming Switzerland was cozy with the Nazis. I mean, they were cozy with everyone - out of necessity. Most of the Swiss resented the Nazis. You really need to speak with a Swiss person to understand how fiercely independent they are - Switzerland fought against the Habsburgs for decades. There was never really a question of the Swiss joining the Nazis. It's evidenced by the absolutely pitiful membership in Swiss National Socialist organizations before they were banned in 1940. You also have to understand Switzerland is a direct democracy, they vote on everything and they're very proud of it. They would not give that independence up easily to be annexed.
    You don't develop a defense strategy like the National Redoubt unless you intend to defend yourself and there's an X-factor in General Guisan. I have seen the fortifications around Schaffhausen and other locations in Switzerland. They're no small feat. I was told every single bridge in the country was wired with explosives to slow a German invasion (I doubt that's entirely true, but many were), and my granduncle was killed when one of the bridges he was guarding accidentally detonated.

    • @marks_sparks1
      @marks_sparks1 4 года назад +241

      Excellent comment.

    • @sgsilvarerum
      @sgsilvarerum 4 года назад +58

      Very interesting!. Hitler wants to attack Swiss in 1944.

    • @michaelkeller5008
      @michaelkeller5008 4 года назад +143

      Most of them were wired. Many were "fixed targets" for artillery, too... If you take the boat, you can see the preparations on many bridges today...

    • @kardashevsquark567
      @kardashevsquark567 4 года назад +35

      Nice comment.
      U should write a book

    • @swisscake1591
      @swisscake1591 4 года назад +32

      Bravo, schön gesagt! Hallo von Steckborn :)

  • @fridaycaliforniaa236
    @fridaycaliforniaa236 4 года назад +3719

    Swiss precision : make nice complex watches
    US precision : miss a target by only 200 km

    • @theoldscout3478
      @theoldscout3478 4 года назад +76

      My Dad bought 2 Rolex watches while he was kept there during the war and he didn't miss his target while over Germany!

    • @PuddintameXYZ
      @PuddintameXYZ 4 года назад +86

      * accurately * miss a target by 200km

    • @hurdygurdyman1905
      @hurdygurdyman1905 4 года назад +65

      Uh, you really think they were missing Germany on purpose? Wow.

    • @Psiberzerker
      @Psiberzerker 4 года назад +10

      You should really see the machining work on their rifles.

    • @idontknow31212
      @idontknow31212 4 года назад +33

      @@theoldscout3478 he did not miss the target while he was over Germany because he was not over Germany while missing his target?

  • @MominEnjoyer
    @MominEnjoyer 4 года назад +836

    Allied and Axis planes: * enter Swiss Airspace *
    Bundesrat: Shoot 'em
    Military: Which ones?
    Everyone: ALL OF THEM

    • @Axonteer
      @Axonteer 3 года назад +28

      the order is easier to understand if its "shoot anything without a white cross on it" rather than "ok shot them but not those and those not as well"

    • @antoinemozart243
      @antoinemozart243 3 года назад

      Idiot. In 1944, the US could have destroyed all Switzerland !!!

    • @sans-nom_1.mp425
      @sans-nom_1.mp425 3 года назад +36

      @@antoinemozart243 hum yeah, but I think destroying a country for defending himself because YOU have violated his airspace without any official war can be a war crime or maybe punished

    • @antoinemozart243
      @antoinemozart243 3 года назад +6

      @@sans-nom_1.mp425 you are naïve ! Like Shakespeare said , there is no neutrality when two destructive powers fight. The Swiss violated their neutrality by facilitating the business f the Nazis, they deserved to be violated by other weapons.

    • @sans-nom_1.mp425
      @sans-nom_1.mp425 3 года назад +7

      @@antoinemozart243 ... 😑

  • @alexmason668
    @alexmason668 4 года назад +1952

    "Your bombers will make a fine addition to my collection." - Swiss Air Force.

    • @k.r.baylor8825
      @k.r.baylor8825 4 года назад +127

      It's a shame the Swiss gave them back. A collection of vintage bombers like that, stashed away for 60 years, would be worth a fortune today.

    • @lebaillidessavoies3889
      @lebaillidessavoies3889 4 года назад +34

      @@k.r.baylor8825 Anyway even if they hadn't given it back, they would have used it for civilian puposes and most of it would have been crashed ( french IGN B17's is a good exemple ).

    • @dgerdi
      @dgerdi 4 года назад +7

      Henry A. Wallace Now we know where General Griefes got this phrase from.

    • @philipmarlowe5035
      @philipmarlowe5035 4 года назад +1

      Say hi to FDR

    • @KatersShorts
      @KatersShorts 4 года назад +16

      is this a star wars reference?

  • @emperorjulian2159
    @emperorjulian2159 4 года назад +487

    Now I understand why I have heard "this building was bombed during the war" when I was in Basel. Back then I was like "WTF?" and now everything is clear

    • @mikatu
      @mikatu 4 года назад +5

      which building was that? more likely to have been hit by the earthquake than a bomber.

    • @emperorjulian2159
      @emperorjulian2159 4 года назад +15

      @@mikatu I don't know what exactly building it was - some living quatier building in the area of Clara. I asked why it is an awful 50's building sticked wall to wall in between beautiful classical buildings and I heard this in response

    • @blazeaglory
      @blazeaglory 4 года назад +3

      It all makes sense now...

    • @BW-og1vu
      @BW-og1vu 4 года назад +5

      @Serge Rambert NOT yet :-(

    • @emperorjulian2159
      @emperorjulian2159 4 года назад

      @Elmo calabrese yes, if I am correct the whole area around Claraplatz and Claragraben is called Clara or correct me if I'm wrong, I was there only once :)

  • @timsummers870
    @timsummers870 4 года назад +2366

    I had no idea Switzerland had been bombed in the Second World War nor that the relationship between Switzerland and the US soured. I've always thought that Switzerland was completely neutral and free from direct engagement during both World Wars. That only shows how much there is to learn. Thank you for another great video.

    • @stuartlawsonbeattie6200
      @stuartlawsonbeattie6200 4 года назад +81

      Switzerland was never neutral apart from when they were speaking,, internationally speaking of course..
      As we know many deals were struck with Britain, the USA and other countries.
      Neutral, just like any SS Dagger, I don't think so.

    • @irkkunen4933
      @irkkunen4933 4 года назад +130

      @@stuartlawsonbeattie6200 They were officially neutral in the sense that they didn't engage in the war itself.

    • @inverovenevectum6857
      @inverovenevectum6857 4 года назад +11

      Lol youtube is censoring my comment

    • @inverovenevectum6857
      @inverovenevectum6857 4 года назад +21

      R.I.P. free speech and truth of facts revealing

    • @inverovenevectum6857
      @inverovenevectum6857 4 года назад +15

      Maaan. I try to post my comment now since many minutes and it keeps deleting it!!! No profane language ir anything in it. Why does youtube deletes the truth of Switzerland automatically???

  • @TheEDFLegacy
    @TheEDFLegacy 3 года назад +845

    "Sir, they have us surrounded!"
    "Great! We can fire in all directions!"
    - Pretty much the Swiss in methodology during WWII

    • @kraanz
      @kraanz 3 года назад +72

      According to the Swiss themselves, the methodology was more like "sit around on mountaintops and try not to die of boredom while your family starves in the valley because of lack of farmhands."

    • @niepowaznyczlowiek
      @niepowaznyczlowiek 3 года назад +3

      @@kraanz
      More so

    • @codyweaver7546
      @codyweaver7546 3 года назад +3

      Swiss during EVERY war.

    • @juangringo3906
      @juangringo3906 3 года назад +4

      Gen MacArthur was quoted saying the same thing basically lol He was told the enemy had surrounded them or way trying to and he replied good We Got them where we want them. Lol

    • @mysterioanonymous3206
      @mysterioanonymous3206 Год назад

      a german officer famously visited switzerland which let them know that they could mobilize 250k soldiers within 48h. the german said they had 500k stationed in southern germany to which the swiss replied "then they all have to shoot twice"...

  • @v1ckers905
    @v1ckers905 4 года назад +502

    Me: I need to sleep
    Mark Felton: uploads
    Me: Sleep? What's that?

    • @tedcrilly46
      @tedcrilly46 4 года назад +1

      work shmurk, ive got a 1940s flying submarine to look at.

    • @HectorJimenez-ee9zi
      @HectorJimenez-ee9zi 4 года назад +3

      I don't need sleep i need history

  • @leifkhas7425
    @leifkhas7425 4 года назад +5347

    The only kind of neutrality that actually works: *armed neutrality*

    • @cgaccount3669
      @cgaccount3669 4 года назад +117

      Let's not forget the USA was neutral for much of the war

    • @oldbatwit5102
      @oldbatwit5102 4 года назад +31

      The acceptable modern stupidity: RUclips stupidity.

    • @leifkhas7425
      @leifkhas7425 4 года назад +197

      @Jonathan Williams For both Japan and Germany the difference between a risky gamble vs the best option of many bad options...was very little. The US embargoed Japan's oil. They relied 80% on the US so that is basically a declaration of war. In Europe, FDR refused to recognize governments in Europe and froze their assets held in US banks, in clear violation of International Law. They also reported German ship movements to the Royal Navy and also blockaded them from entering neutral ports. Worst of all the US only traded with the allies and practically gave them billions in war merchandise. The US was never truly neutral. It was thanks to FDR and Churchill that any hope for peace in Europe was lost. Even after the fall of France, Hitler offerred to withdraw from France if France/UK would call off the war. Hitler had ambitions in the East yes but as far as the West goes all he wanted was to be left alone! Same with Japan but because of oil embargo the only way to get oil was to take from British/Dutch colonies. And they knew to do that they would have to wipe out the American Pacific fleet and get American oil flowing again in a peace deal. Unfortunately for them they underestimated the US. America did NOT sue for peace after Pearl Harbor. FDR used it as an excuse to go to war. He always wanted to go to war but the American people wouldn't support it. That is why he allowed Pearl Harbor to happen. That's why he harrassed the German Navy so much hoping they would sink an American ship!

    • @deanfirnatine7814
      @deanfirnatine7814 4 года назад +141

      Only reason Switzerland was not invaded by Germany is they were so well armed and trained and coupled with their terrain it would have been a horrifically bloody victory for Germany, not worth it and they knew it. Perfect example of peace through strength.

    • @gareginnzhdehhimself
      @gareginnzhdehhimself 4 года назад +35

      @Jonathan Williams It wasn't. First of all, Japan was never a member of the axis and merely signed a non a aggression pact. Their ambitions were in the Pacific. Pearl Harbor knocked their main rival, the US, out of the naval war. What Japan failed to realize was America's powerful naval industry and essentially infinite manpower reserves quickly replaced the losses of December 7th.

  • @luisz6438
    @luisz6438 4 года назад +399

    Man, at this point I revoke my “I know a lot of history” card. Mark just has superior knowledge of the world

    • @SirAntoniousBlock
      @SirAntoniousBlock 4 года назад +1

      @M T A non-believer!
      Persecute!
      Kill the heretic!
      _Monty Python._

    • @luisz6438
      @luisz6438 4 года назад +3

      @M T Admitting that someone has superior knowledge of a subject isn't a demeaning thing in my opinion. But to each his own

    • @SirAntoniousBlock
      @SirAntoniousBlock 4 года назад

      @M T Any sufficiently advanced knowledge/technology will seem like magic to people.

    • @keywest63020
      @keywest63020 4 года назад +1

      You and me both brother...I am shocked that I totally missed this...? WTF.

    • @MyDogFulton
      @MyDogFulton 4 года назад

      The more you know the more you realize you don’t know very much.

  • @RobMacKendrick
    @RobMacKendrick 3 года назад +133

    I had a Swiss friend some years ago who had two sons. Both joined the military when they reached the age of service (like almost all male Switzers), and the older of the two became a jet fighter pilot. When I expressed admiration, his father said, "Yes, it's quite impressive. But it becomes less so when you realise that all of his flights involve jamming the stick hard to one side and flying in circles." Turns out modern aircraft exhaust Swiss airspace rather quickly.

    • @Sniperboy5551
      @Sniperboy5551 Год назад +12

      This gave me a good laugh 😂

    • @jojosworlds1208
      @jojosworlds1208 Год назад +15

      Same in Austria. If you turn on the Afterburner, you have like a minute to fly with it before you have to pull the plane to the sie because you reach the border.

    • @philanthropenos1074
      @philanthropenos1074 Год назад +1

      No need for a jet or even propeller plane. If you hit breaks late in those countries you'll end up crossing the border (and not noticing it)

    • @adamesd3699
      @adamesd3699 Год назад +4

      That is so typically Swiss.

    • @Aurirang
      @Aurirang 9 дней назад +1

      The Swiss military does have some right to fly over other countries such as France. Because otherwhise they wouldn't even be able to try out top speed with their planes.
      Imagine the highway ending before you can reach max speed.
      But in return alot of other military units re alowed to train in the Swiss alps. Some guy once told me some thing like this: "If you can fly in the Swiss alps on a windy day, you can fly everywhere". The Swiss alps have massive up- and downdrafts and many airplanes, be they civil or miliary related have crashed into the one or other rocky wall doe to sudden drafts. There's at least one every couple of years that makes it to the news.

  • @dootdoot1828
    @dootdoot1828 4 года назад +1448

    In 50 years mark Felton's robot copy will be making a video on how people battled during the 20s over toilet paper

    • @thomasbeck9075
      @thomasbeck9075 4 года назад +52

      Ww3 starts over toilet paper. I can hear it now

    • @phillip_iv_planetking6354
      @phillip_iv_planetking6354 4 года назад +57

      I can already hear the intro music.

    • @BukeChinaski
      @BukeChinaski 4 года назад +3

      LOL

    • @389383
      @389383 4 года назад +15

      A few years ago while touristing in Vanuatu a family started dinner conversation with the topic of what was the greatest invention. When I got my turn I said toilet paper and that ended the conversation.

    • @orencio1969
      @orencio1969 4 года назад +3

      So much well wipe asses

  • @victoriacourtright-lim2791
    @victoriacourtright-lim2791 4 года назад +762

    Switzerland: I’m neutral
    Other countries: It’s free airspace!

    • @aesthetics8230
      @aesthetics8230 4 года назад +63

      Switzerland: " In case you didnt Notice you have Fallen right Into my Trap."

    • @krisanludwiczak6377
      @krisanludwiczak6377 4 года назад +36

      *laughs in Swiss interceptors*

    • @rusuproductions7474
      @rusuproductions7474 4 года назад +12

      Its free real estate!

    • @Axonteer
      @Axonteer 3 года назад +2

      @@rusuproductions7474 that gets blown up if you get too close :D

    • @obamium4265
      @obamium4265 3 года назад +2

      @@rusuproductions7474 it's free real airspace !

  • @cal-native
    @cal-native 4 года назад +581

    OMG I had no idea we had such a high level of hostile interaction with the Swiss! Great information, as always👍

    • @Teufer2
      @Teufer2 4 года назад +54

      My Grandfather is still angry because of the "Bombing of Schaffhausen" where 40 people died. He lived in a village next to it as a child and heard the bombs drop. He believes to this day the town was targeted because of the local metal factorys that exported to germany. The official story though is that the american pilots had navigation problems.

    • @Teufer2
      @Teufer2 4 года назад +50

      @THE TWO FINGERED BRUTE The US didn't "join" the war, they were dragged in.
      The Axis Powers declared war on THEM after Pearl Harbor.
      This is like saying Poland joined the war.
      Many people forget that.

    • @SVSky
      @SVSky 4 года назад +2

      @THE TWO FINGERED BRUTE Which is why the British Army used a HUGE number of Sherman tanks right?

    • @Teufer2
      @Teufer2 4 года назад +4

      @THE TWO FINGERED BRUTE They did that too in WW1 but it wasn't enough. What really got them pissed of was the "Zimmermann Telegram"

    • @uschurch
      @uschurch 4 года назад +11

      @THE TWO FINGERED BRUTE this is not correct. Commerce raiding operations of the German Kriegsmarine was restricted to ships sailing under French and British flag in 1939 and 1940. Only American ships clearly violating the terms of neutrality, e.g. shipping arms to the UK, were targeted in 1941, before the declaration of war.

  • @DrewPicklesTheDark
    @DrewPicklesTheDark 4 года назад +2486

    The Virgin Belgium
    Tries to stay neutral, gets invaded.
    The Chad Switzerland
    Stays neutral by attacking both sides.

    • @tramlink8544
      @tramlink8544 4 года назад +157

      armed neutrality :D

    • @Xiphactinus
      @Xiphactinus 4 года назад +174

      Vs the thad Lichtenstein making sure everyone forgot about it.

    • @eisteepfirsich3358
      @eisteepfirsich3358 4 года назад +105

      Liechtenstein: Gets protection from the swiss army.

    • @watching99134
      @watching99134 4 года назад +65

      Switzerland is all mountains, Belgium has no defensible frontiers; it makes a huge difference.

    • @eisteepfirsich3358
      @eisteepfirsich3358 4 года назад +92

      @@watching99134 Switzerland isn't all mountains. But in case of an invasion, Switzerland would blow up their own bridges and move their entire army, etc. into the alps.

  • @MrJaismith
    @MrJaismith 4 года назад +610

    My wife's Grandfather was Crew chief/Ball turret gunner on the B17G "Mount n' Ride" shown a 9:28 in your film. He was interned by the Swiss for the duration and said while polite they were far from friendly. He mentioned several prior sorties where the the US accidentally bombed them to send a message. Thanks for putting this together.

    • @nunyabznss5866
      @nunyabznss5866 4 года назад +45

      I didn't think the art was so graphic. Normally you just see the classy pinup girls. Glad your wife's grandfather made it out okay. He's a real hero.

    • @BW-og1vu
      @BW-og1vu 4 года назад +74

      What do you expect from a nation that your country bombed "by mistake"???

    • @amblincork
      @amblincork 4 года назад +73

      you mean the hypocritcal US murdered neutral swiss men, women and children - the US never changes

    • @steffenrosmus1864
      @steffenrosmus1864 4 года назад +34

      @PUNK BANTAM the swiss sold weapons to.both sides oerlikon...

    • @chrisfreestone4136
      @chrisfreestone4136 4 года назад +9

      @PUNK BANTAM That's how they could afford to be socialist for so long.

  • @MrBigCookieCrumble
    @MrBigCookieCrumble 4 года назад +1726

    "Hey Jimmy, who are we bombing today anyway?"
    _No idea Johnny, but they sure SOUND German to me!_

    • @hexadecimal7300
      @hexadecimal7300 4 года назад +19

      Certain parts of it actually speak German along with the roadsigns.

    • @fabianreusch4870
      @fabianreusch4870 4 года назад +63

      @@hexadecimal7300 thats the joke I guess haha

    • @BattlestarGaming
      @BattlestarGaming 4 года назад +32

      @@hexadecimal7300 that's the joke...

    • @marlonmerz9850
      @marlonmerz9850 4 года назад +1

      Hexa Decimal well yea but it’s easily distinguishable

    • @frotusrwa
      @frotusrwa 4 года назад +2

      Man i read that imaginating them yelling at eachother

  • @Don-mu2qh
    @Don-mu2qh 4 года назад +258

    My dad talked about this once when I was a boy but I never heard about it again until this video. He also had a Swiss friend who volunteered for the German army during the war.

    • @swunt10
      @swunt10 4 года назад +39

      most swiss, the swiss germans, are ethnically and culturally germans. altho nobody likes to admitt it in this day and age.

    • @richardgfeller141
      @richardgfeller141 4 года назад +30

      There were pro and anti sympathizers on both sides during the war, I think finding yourself in such a spot is not easy. My grampa served as an officer during the war, guarding the western border, he is from bern ("ethically" german in your terms) but even before war has broken out he was very keen to speak up against "the party" that was gaining power rapidly in germany. He also told me that there were lists given out between he's officer collegues who to trust in the army or who is taking which side in case of an invasion. It was quite chilling to hear him say that should the german invade, we would've whacked our own nazi friendly officers first. I immagined that they were trying the same thing too. Some of them he had known for some years.

    • @richardgfeller141
      @richardgfeller141 4 года назад +5

      I meant "Ethnically", of course.

    • @71kimg
      @71kimg 4 года назад

      Mar not wanting to join one blob country for all Germans does not equal thinking that people are culturally Germans - which is also true for Austria and somewhat Nederland and Scandinavia. Little to no-one attack that concept/reality - thing is that local people usually prefer their own nation-state.

    • @swunt10
      @swunt10 4 года назад +6

      @@71kimg nationality, culture and ethnicity are all different things. maybe look it up. fact is most swiss are ethnically germans because they speak german and are from german heritage, they also have very similar traditions which makes them culturally germans as well. they also have unique swiss traditions altho not too many since switzerland only exists for a couple of hundred years. just because someone starts a separate country doesn't mean it changes their ethnicity or culture. austrians, swiss and germans are all from the same german culture that's why they all speak the same language and have very similar culture. nation states are a very recent concept and nationality and nationalists can't change everything over night just because they decided to start a new country.

  • @notlistening6499
    @notlistening6499 4 года назад +175

    Switzerland be like:
    "Hippity hoppity we're not at war with you so get the f*** off our property"

  • @nicolaskalt4335
    @nicolaskalt4335 4 года назад +174

    I’m Swiss and a loyal viewer of this Channel, I’ve been expecting this

    • @f3aok
      @f3aok 4 года назад +6

      Not your countries finest hour imo.

    • @tywinlannister8015
      @tywinlannister8015 4 года назад +26

      @@f3aok Hey it made it's sovereignty respected. You don't just let people step on your toes without reacting do you ?

    • @glx4909
      @glx4909 4 года назад +8

      @@tywinlannister8015 agree. The swiss could not simply let war rage in its' skies.
      On the other hand, shadiness is in swiss banker dna..

    • @Lukas-dk34h
      @Lukas-dk34h 4 года назад +9

      @THE TWO FINGERED BRUTE Some degree of cooperation was necessary. Switzerland was a neutral territory, where important goods for the war effort were produced (means the allies would not bomb the factories). If Switzerland had not cooperated it would have been at high risk of a german invasion, because then a neutral Switzerland wouldn't have been of any use for Germany.

    • @uschurch
      @uschurch 4 года назад +4

      @THE TWO FINGERED BRUTE another super hero who knows what to do seventy years later in a different country. After the fall of France Switzerland was completely surrounded by fascist powers. I'm sure your strategic genius would have developed a brilliant plan to take on Germany all by yourself.

  • @thatsidewaysdud7623
    @thatsidewaysdud7623 4 года назад +857

    “You damn kids get out of my airspace”
    - Swiss Airforce 1939-1945

    • @themudthedirtandthesand9079
      @themudthedirtandthesand9079 4 года назад +42

      Despite situations like the ones in this video, the Swiss did an excellent job in staying out of WWII - as best they could - it is likely Germany would have invaded had they not cooperated with the Nazis in certain ways, such as allowing transit of soldiers and supplies and allowing certain technology to be used. Canada was already a part of WWII on September 3 1939 as its close ties with Britain in those days neccessitated that, however a little known story, which may have happened even if Canada had somehow remained "neutral" in WWII (we were a much less "pacifist" country in those days) is how Uranium from Canada's far north was an essential component of many early United States atomic bombs. Google: How Uranium from Great Bear Lake Ended Up in A-Bombs

    • @ghostmost2614
      @ghostmost2614 4 года назад +4

      Except Nazi's

    • @MrSam1er
      @MrSam1er 4 года назад +23

      @@ghostmost2614 There are many epic aerial battles between the swiss airforce and german planes, in 1940 during the invasion of france. After that, the Luftwaffe didn't fly over switzerland again, as they had no need to

    • @the4seasons4ever
      @the4seasons4ever 4 года назад +9

      @@MrSam1er I forgot about that after the occupation of France that was no longer necessary good point

    • @ilaser4064
      @ilaser4064 4 года назад +5

      @@themudthedirtandthesand9079 plenty of commonwealth countries participated in the Manhattan project, suffice to say Australia & South Africa have vast deposits of uranium so had Canada not supplied no doubt they would have.

  • @Cavelson
    @Cavelson 4 года назад +521

    "Burn our fighter!"
    "Ok... show me your wallet"

    • @mattm4497
      @mattm4497 4 года назад +31

      Well....why not have some fun with fire AND make a good deal at the same time? 😉

    • @ARUSApacecarHAMPTON
      @ARUSApacecarHAMPTON 4 года назад +31

      @Matt M A very Swiss thing to do. A deal is a deal.

    • @PORRRIDGE_GUN
      @PORRRIDGE_GUN 4 года назад +24

      They weren't happy with the deal. They later complained about the poor build quality of the Me109G6s they received, compared to the earlier Bf109Ds and E3s they purchased in 1939. But if your planes are being built in barns and caves all over the Reich by slave laborers in appalling conditions, then don't be surprised the cup holder is too small and the cigarette lighter doesn't work.

    • @sinolog
      @sinolog 4 года назад +4

      @@PORRRIDGE_GUN there was sabotage involved.

    • @Cavelson
      @Cavelson 4 года назад +6

      @@PORRRIDGE_GUN i liked how did you end your comment. Really, i liked it.

  • @Poulsen71
    @Poulsen71 4 года назад +632

    The winner always write history, that is why people like Mark Felton is so important for us all to understand our legacy. Thank you Mark for all your (neutral) work.

    • @wes9451
      @wes9451 4 года назад +9

      True this is the first I've learned about any of this.

    • @grazzer1673
      @grazzer1673 3 года назад +21

      Are you brain-dead? Do you know how many loser countries have written countless thousands of books on wars that they lost? What the hell are you even trying to babble about?

    • @Bitchslapper316
      @Bitchslapper316 3 года назад +13

      What are you babbling about. The Swiss didn't lose or win this war, they were able to stay neutral for the most part. They are perfectly capable of writing their own history.

    • @strahinjastevic7480
      @strahinjastevic7480 3 года назад +17

      The whole winner writes the history is complete utter bs statement

    • @bh5817
      @bh5817 3 года назад +9

      Lol imagine thinking Mark Felton is neutral

  • @arrowshot3000
    @arrowshot3000 4 года назад +362

    General: why would we attack Switzerland?
    Junior Officer: they have the black gold
    General: OIL?!
    Junior Officer: No, chocolate.

    • @annoyed707
      @annoyed707 4 года назад +2

      Chocolate, invented in Mesoamerica.

    • @elfenbeinturm-media
      @elfenbeinturm-media 4 года назад +4

      @@annoyed707 Not quite true as there it was only a hot drink.

    • @TheAllMightyGodofCod
      @TheAllMightyGodofCod 4 года назад +13

      @@annoyed707 nobody cares, nobody cares, man!
      We just want to eat it.

    • @mwnciboo
      @mwnciboo 4 года назад +3

      @THE TWO FINGERED BRUTE I thought it was Cuckoo clocks, guarding the Pope and hording Nazi gold for 50 years they were famous for?

    • @augusth2212
      @augusth2212 4 года назад

      If switzerland have oil, uncle sam would give them freedom 😎🇺🇸

  • @HSTheWhap
    @HSTheWhap 4 года назад +518

    Memes: Switzerland was on vacation during WW2
    Mark: *deep breath*

    • @BackSeatHump
      @BackSeatHump 4 года назад +8

      As long as the U.S. was not attacked they were "on vacation". The same goes for Switzerland and Sweden. The U.S. did not enter the war to help anyone but themselves.

    • @bandit5747
      @bandit5747 4 года назад +1

      @@BackSeatHump And how so? They could of just helped themselves by not declaring war on anyone in the first place. Japan didn't try to fight the Americans. They wanted them out of the picture. Germany only declared war on America because they declared war on Japan. As somebody who's Filipino, the US is why the country wasn't under Axis control. I'm sure you know what happens in Europe. I just want to understand why the US was selfish in the war, because they actually helped a lot of people, cutting the war and preventing more deaths than there already were.

    • @paillettecnc
      @paillettecnc 4 года назад

      @@bandit5747 "Japan didn't try to fight the Americans". That is laughable, at best, remember the little thing that was Pearl Harbor ? That is called an unprovoked attack. And this means war.
      Just like when Germany marched on Poland, this meant war for us in France. Don't try to rewrite history.

    • @bandit5747
      @bandit5747 4 года назад +1

      @@paillettecnc Yeah so they could bomb the crap out of their navy so America couldn't do anything. Obviously didn't work. Even Yamamoto says that any prolonged war with the US would be lost, which was correct. What I meant by "didn't want to fight" was they didn't want all out war.

    • @BackSeatHump
      @BackSeatHump 4 года назад +5

      @@bandit5747 Japan's need for Asian resources over-lapped U.S. need for Asian resources. The U.S. and Japan were competitors but the U.S. blocked Japan out of its sea routes. Japan retaliated by attacking Pearl Harbour. Don't try to tell me the U.S. unselfishly entered the war for the benefit of the Philippines. That's bullshit.

  • @knowbounds
    @knowbounds 4 года назад +3621

    If Switzerland was neutral then why is the flag Positive?

    • @cbwilson2398
      @cbwilson2398 4 года назад +201

      Perhaps the only actually clever statement of the whole lot!

    • @knowbounds
      @knowbounds 4 года назад +29

      @@cbwilson2398 Thanks

    • @toatatoa
      @toatatoa 4 года назад +77

      Cause they are opportunists. And they love a positive balance!

    • @Idleswordstone
      @Idleswordstone 4 года назад +56

      Cause they had a negative attitude , so it cancels out and becomes neutral

    • @arasev_hd1524
      @arasev_hd1524 4 года назад +8

      @KnowBounds if your brain was working then you would never have written such a comment ....

  • @xKiLLzZx1
    @xKiLLzZx1 4 года назад +400

    I think some people in the comment section don't understand that neutrality doesn't mean not to defend...

    • @potato_mash121
      @potato_mash121 3 года назад +81

      They live in their puppy world thinking war is all heroism. As swiss I think the government did the right things to prevent war and thats what matters.

    • @GreenBlueWalkthrough
      @GreenBlueWalkthrough 3 года назад +8

      @@potato_mash121 Well they kinda failed... they were at war with everybody.

    • @potato_mash121
      @potato_mash121 3 года назад +49

      @@GreenBlueWalkthrough was Switzerland destroyed like the rest of europe?

    • @walterbrunswick
      @walterbrunswick 3 года назад +3

      @@potato_mash121 it should have been bombed to smitherines for allowing Nazi trains to pass and doing business with Nazis

    • @hidof9598
      @hidof9598 3 года назад +2

      @@potato_mash121 , exactly
      There is nothing righteous about wars

  • @TheMalek_CH
    @TheMalek_CH 4 года назад +460

    Hey there
    It is a misconception that the Swiss just traded with Germany. In total Germany sold ~2500 tons of Gold to Switzerland while the US alone sold 3600 tons. Basically every Country was exchanging Gold for Swiss Francs. Next to that, the Swiss exported twice as many weapons and ammunition to the Allies than to the Germans.
    But of course you can't deny the closer relationship between Switzerland and Germany, due to sharing a border and constant threat of invasion.
    (Source: My own Knowledge based on data from the Swiss National Museum in Zürich)

    • @swisscheese3405
      @swisscheese3405 4 года назад +15

      xXTheMalekXx why is your comment so far down its gold!

    • @swisscheese3405
      @swisscheese3405 4 года назад

      Link pls

    • @michaelkeller5008
      @michaelkeller5008 4 года назад +31

      @@swisscheese3405 there's a book-series called "Die Schweiz im 2. Weltkrieg", it came out in the late 1950s and covered everything the OP said - with numbers AND conracts...
      Funfact: the burning of he BF-110 night fighter in exchange for new BF109G was needed, as neither brits nor americans wanted to fullfill the contracts of buying Spitfires and Mustangs to replace the old 109E... (the Spitfires with swiss air force markings have been shut down by the brits over the channel, and the americans simply kept the planes for themselves - both took the money, of course)

    • @DOOMRUL3Z
      @DOOMRUL3Z 4 года назад +4

      @Oran Cassidy Vichy France had relationships with the US until 1942.. But letting US gold through French territory seems risky.

    • @BattlestarGaming
      @BattlestarGaming 4 года назад +5

      @Oran Cassidy It's reasonable to assume the trades were done before getting landlocked. So, what's your point?

  • @JBM425
    @JBM425 4 года назад +181

    This gives new meaning to the phrase about relationships: "It's complicated."

    • @sac-outlet4672
      @sac-outlet4672 4 года назад +3

      Never looked at the Swiss story and its origins?

    • @Axonteer
      @Axonteer 4 года назад

      threadding the needle with one hand tied behind your back complicated

  • @Trillock-hy1cf
    @Trillock-hy1cf 4 года назад +51

    I still find it amazing how Mark can find these stories, hunt down video footage, and make a video about stories we (well me really) have never heard of!
    I must take ages to do all this.
    Great work Mark..

    • @CaptainGyro
      @CaptainGyro 4 года назад +1

      Trillock 1945, I'm with you. I thought I knew a lot about WW11, but I am amazed how Mark keeps finding these interesting tidbits. Regarding the Swiss's involvement in the air war in WW11. Previously I had envisioned a few damaged Allied aircraft landing in Switzerland and the aircrews having to wait out the war eating cheese and drinking wine at the local cafes and chasing the skirts of the local women -- sort of an Alpine vacation.

    • @Trillock-hy1cf
      @Trillock-hy1cf 4 года назад +1

      @@CaptainGyro
      Agreed, and since I was born at the end of WWII, I grew up with many WWII stuff around me in the 1950's when old enough to pedal off on my push bike to explore many relics here on the Isle of Wight, and most of it all gone now, with some gun batteries filled in with some concrete etc., but there are still some preserved minus the guns of course.
      The high level radar site at St. Lawrence started off as just some trucks, be developed into a proper station later on, and it was also a reserve for the main one on top of St. Boniface Downs (Ventnor low level radar site) in case of attack, and the Luftwaffe did do a few bombing attacks (Stukas), and knocked it out temporarily, but was up and running shortly afterwards.
      As nippers we explored both of them, and still had a barrage balloon flying there for a few years, but was returned to a farmer, and now it is just a pig from, and only the concrete slabs for the masts, and a bunker or two left.
      The Ventnor one is now mostly derelict, and just an air raid shelter left, and a brick building built into the ground with the concrete blast walls around it.
      But I also thought that the Swiss were much more friendly to downed allied aircraft, and prisoners who managed to escape to Switzerland to make their way back to the UK, or somewhere. I imagine the Swiss POW camps were a bit more nicer to live in, but not sure about that....:)
      Sorry, I have rambled on far too long....:)

  • @scottstallings5029
    @scottstallings5029 4 года назад +37

    I'm 51 years old. I've been studying WW2 since I was 16. I always learn something new on your GREAT channel! Thank you!!!!

  • @kknives_switzerland
    @kknives_switzerland 4 года назад +423

    "Grüezi, pls leave our airspace." *shoots *

    • @rcnitrodude7249
      @rcnitrodude7249 4 года назад +2

      KKnives Switzerland Hahah

    • @mauricepasquier3062
      @mauricepasquier3062 4 года назад +17

      At least, we asked politely…

    • @kknives_switzerland
      @kknives_switzerland 4 года назад +14

      @Deniz Metinoğlu T. 😂 "Oh nai, ziit isch abgloffa. Janu."

    • @TheSoundsage
      @TheSoundsage 4 года назад +8

      @Deniz Metinoğlu T. Hands up, Yank! No Muesli for you!

    • @Reveal_City
      @Reveal_City 4 года назад

      "Grüezi, pls stop bombing our Nazi overlords" *proceeds to kill allies in defense of Germany*

  • @tiggytheimpaler5483
    @tiggytheimpaler5483 4 года назад +2618

    Neutral Switzerland fought both the allies and the axis lol

    • @MassDOT1136
      @MassDOT1136 4 года назад +51

      Wow so funny.

    • @jaska5403
      @jaska5403 4 года назад +114

      You mean briefly fought axis and then let them do as they please after

    • @Delogros
      @Delogros 4 года назад +204

      @@jaska5403 Not really, besides the Germans didn't "get lost" as often as the Americans seemed to.

    • @Epsilonsama
      @Epsilonsama 4 года назад +26

      @@Delogros It was just a couple of coincidences, nothing to see here.

    • @kabbfixwow4343
      @kabbfixwow4343 4 года назад +54

      “I play both side so I always come out on top”

  • @paddy3002
    @paddy3002 4 года назад +427

    The bombing of Schaffhausen was the worst 1. of April joke ever.

    • @ThePotatoSmash
      @ThePotatoSmash 4 года назад +17

      One might even go so far as the call the USAAF pilots on that day April Fools....

    • @LetsTakeWalk
      @LetsTakeWalk 4 года назад +28

      I don't know, I thought it had a lot of impact.

    • @Homievegetable
      @Homievegetable 4 года назад +1

      oof

    • @irongeneral7861
      @irongeneral7861 4 года назад +2

      @@LetsTakeWalk God damnit...

    • @chenchina4577
      @chenchina4577 4 года назад +2

      Is this why IWC Schaffhausen watches are so focused on their "Flieger" line of watches??

  • @swastikturan257
    @swastikturan257 4 года назад +153

    Swiss whenever allied or axis tried to enter Swiss sovereign territory :-
    _"You know the rules and so do I"_

  • @henryatkinson1479
    @henryatkinson1479 4 года назад +262

    Never had heard any of this.
    Fantastic research.

    • @captainadams8565
      @captainadams8565 4 года назад +4

      There are stories that some American POWs were threated very badly by their Swiss prison guards.

    • @themudthedirtandthesand9079
      @themudthedirtandthesand9079 4 года назад +5

      I have also read that Americans and Germans were allowed to have R & R visits to Swiss Towns, sometimes at the same time, and they wisely kept apart on the streets so as to not irritate the Swiss, sometimes scowling and fist-shaking at each other.

    • @fabovondestory
      @fabovondestory 4 года назад +4

      Thats why this chanel exists

    • @thearchibaldtuttle
      @thearchibaldtuttle 4 года назад +3

      Captain Adams yes, unfortunately there were some Nazi sympathizers in the Swiss army and some of them were responsible for the prisons. Not a nice story!

  • @Daniel-kq4bx
    @Daniel-kq4bx 4 года назад +4268

    Imagine hearing your Husband was killed by the Swiss Airforce

    • @McCarthyisms
      @McCarthyisms 4 года назад +640

      @Legion 57 I mean the Swiss where neutral and when you're neutral you can't pick sides. And the USA accepted this neutrality, so they were in the wrong.

    • @Marcus538
      @Marcus538 4 года назад +547

      @Legion 57 because you bombed them , we are humans too in europe

    • @toastyboi3688
      @toastyboi3688 4 года назад +20

      Marcus Alexander no

    • @erniehorler7414
      @erniehorler7414 4 года назад +686

      Better than being told he was killed by the Swiss Navy..?

    • @Elemenobanii
      @Elemenobanii 4 года назад +359

      @Legion 57 shut up they went in to swiss airspace without permission

  • @beeroholic666
    @beeroholic666 4 года назад +86

    Being Swiss, I knew about some "accidental" bombings of Schaffhausen during the war. However, I had no idea about the magnitude of the air conflicts, for example the bombing of Zurich. Thanks, Mark, for educating me!

    • @UGAAlum93
      @UGAAlum93 4 года назад +1

      beeroholic666 “being Swiss” meaning we don’t stand for anything.

    • @EkoHater4Life
      @EkoHater4Life 4 года назад +5

      they actualy bombed oerlikon in zürich a rhein metal defense factory was the target,this was no coincidence

    • @user-zg5ey5xo9i
      @user-zg5ey5xo9i 4 года назад +6

      @@UGAAlum93 We stand for a lot just not war.

    • @neomab3780
      @neomab3780 4 года назад

      ᛋᛖᚡᛖᚱᛁᚾ like gold! (;

    • @user-zg5ey5xo9i
      @user-zg5ey5xo9i 4 года назад +3

      @@neomab3780Every country likes gold and not being annihilated by axis forces.

  • @jude1515
    @jude1515 3 года назад +14

    Aww, my Dad was from Schaffhausen. My aunt, his sister lost her best friend in this bombing. My Dad lived a long life in the U.S. and loved America just as he did Switzerland as I do.

  • @skilluber
    @skilluber 4 года назад +136

    I live in Schaffhausen and we were extremely lucky. Only 13 airplanes dropped their bombs. One half of the others realised their mistake and dropped their bombs over a hill. The other missed the town because of a malfunction. If all 50 planes would have hit. Schaffhausen wouldn’t exist anymore.

    • @ursmeyer5913
      @ursmeyer5913 3 года назад +6

      wo hast Du diese Informationen her? Sehr interessant!

    • @PhoenixT70
      @PhoenixT70 3 года назад +17

      The Norden bombsight: missing the target since 1939. This time, for the better.

    • @Sniperboy5551
      @Sniperboy5551 Год назад +2

      @RC:1136 Darman State of the art technology for the time. Crazy how fast tech improves.

    • @stefanfritsche1157
      @stefanfritsche1157 Год назад

      Schaffhausen is incredible beautiful! So beautiful! ♥️

    • @skilluber
      @skilluber Год назад

      @@ursmeyer5913 Mein Grossvater hat me Ausstellung darüber gemacht. Bomben auf Schaffhausen.

  • @dougcox3990
    @dougcox3990 4 года назад +37

    As a student of the war for over 45 years now, I'm constantly amazed at the stories you uncover and document, that I've never heard of before. Cheers.

    • @wollekemper8317
      @wollekemper8317 4 года назад +1

      Wow , spends 45 years of his life and does not even know the basics.
      Are you from the moon?
      The role is Switzerland in WW2 was not a small one and that is no secret.
      Just the spy work they have done impacted the outcome of the war

  • @tomi9562
    @tomi9562 4 года назад +832

    Switzerland sees any foreign bomber/fighter: hipety hopety get of my property

    • @Spaghetter813
      @Spaghetter813 4 года назад +74

      You mean: hipety, hopety, your plane is now my property

    • @hurdygurdyman1905
      @hurdygurdyman1905 4 года назад +32

      Only if you're Allied. Otherwise, we'll let you burn your plane for the price of... more planes to shoot down Allied bombers.

    • @brinesilver405
      @brinesilver405 4 года назад +1

      essentially :D, thats our whole policy

    • @weyoheyo6367
      @weyoheyo6367 4 года назад +9

      @@Spaghetter813 Imagine capturing a enemy plane getting 12 new planes to destroy it

    • @Titan-ul5bu
      @Titan-ul5bu 4 года назад +1

      Hipety hopety I’ve bombed your property

  • @bryannelson6139
    @bryannelson6139 Год назад +6

    I am well read on WW2 but Mark Felton consistently teaches me things I didn't ever see in the history books. Thanks Mark for all you do ! You are the best WW2 eductator on the web !

  • @Dimapur
    @Dimapur 4 года назад +229

    And I thought Switzerland was like Michael Jackson sitting and eating a popcorn while watching the whole war. Thanks for the info.

    • @winnifredforbes8712
      @winnifredforbes8712 4 года назад +1

      So did I!

    • @MrGibble64
      @MrGibble64 4 года назад +3

      @Bryan Ouellet is thungali calling the swiss pedos ??

    • @SShari-bs2kx
      @SShari-bs2kx 4 года назад

      it was fun and popcorn until they drop bomb onto you

    • @likamero
      @likamero 4 года назад +1

      It was the "Dangerous" times when the whole world was at war and the Swiss must've thought they could "Heal the world" with their neutrality when on the other hand they were just a "Smooth criminal". 😝

  • @capscol
    @capscol 4 года назад +351

    United States: let me just miss my target by 200km

    • @Tikii_9
      @Tikii_9 4 года назад +9

      It's more complicated than that, you have to remember this is the first time they used the advanced machines in war...a d weather has alot to do with the confusion, plus America wasn't familiar with Eurpope as Europeans obviously.....

    • @drb166
      @drb166 4 года назад +10

      Yes, but a tactical miss...

    • @subbahzwei9693
      @subbahzwei9693 4 года назад +2

      sniper mode activated!

    • @knowsmebyname
      @knowsmebyname 4 года назад +11

      @@Tikii_9 good Lord man you don't believe that do you? I am reminded of an incident during one of the recent wars with Iraq where the US air Force bombed Al Jazeera headquarters. awful behavior.

    • @Tikii_9
      @Tikii_9 4 года назад +4

      @@knowsmebyname So nowwww Americans are good at geography?? Why would they do it on purpose then? Give a valid reason....

  • @mr.muldoontoyou
    @mr.muldoontoyou 4 года назад +32

    My mom is from Schaffhausen, and the rest of her side still lives there. I remember being told about this when I was little. It's a really beautiful town right on the Rhine.

    • @mr.muldoontoyou
      @mr.muldoontoyou 4 года назад +3

      @Mark Temperley I think that paying for the damages was the right thing to do, but towns charm and people are all thanks to Swiss culture.

    • @mauricepasquier3062
      @mauricepasquier3062 4 года назад

      The rhine is very close to Germany, it can explain "accidental" bombings. No GPS.

  • @eleanorkett1129
    @eleanorkett1129 3 года назад +11

    Thank you for this presentation of a WWII episode completely unknown to me.

  • @jamstagerable
    @jamstagerable 4 года назад +845

    Allies: Who's side are you on?
    Switzerland: Nein!....uhh I mean neither.

    • @ichbinensnober3975
      @ichbinensnober3975 4 года назад +140

      @Serge Rambert you dont get the joke..

    • @Etaxe
      @Etaxe 4 года назад +14

      @Serge Rambert waht about the major german speaking Population

    • @seneca983
      @seneca983 4 года назад +7

      @@Etaxe: I think he said that in Swiss German "nöt" is used instead.

    • @seneca983
      @seneca983 4 года назад +1

      @Serge Rambert: What about Romansch?

    • @seneca983
      @seneca983 4 года назад

      @Serge Rambert: OK, thanks. I just wanted to nitpick a bit anyway. :)

  • @charms1vp
    @charms1vp 4 года назад +408

    “What makes a man turn neutral? A lust for gold? Power? Or were you just born with a heart full of neutrality?” - Captain Zapp Brannigan

    • @markmcgibbon7013
      @markmcgibbon7013 4 года назад +32

      tell my wife i said hello

    • @stevew6138
      @stevew6138 4 года назад

      LMAO. Capt. Brannigan is second only to Capt. Sternn, in my opinion.

    • @ajax5622
      @ajax5622 4 года назад +20

      She's built like like a steakhouse, but she handles like a bistro!

    • @Lukas-dk34h
      @Lukas-dk34h 4 года назад +9

      Maybe the lust for not getting totally annihilated by a much more powerful enemy.

    • @johnwatkins4851
      @johnwatkins4851 4 года назад +2

      It sickens me!

  • @Lizardman9808
    @Lizardman9808 4 года назад +1117

    At least they didn't confuse Zurich with Hiroshima and nuke Switzerland. That's something.

    • @InformedConsent322
      @InformedConsent322 4 года назад +80

      theyd miss hit france crash into a mountain while blaming the notorious " islamic russians who hate freedom squadron 7" of the chinese airforce

    • @scockery
      @scockery 4 года назад +59

      "We went off target by a few thousand miles. Wazza big deal? Town was already named Bern anyways!"

    • @ulyseeme2760
      @ulyseeme2760 4 года назад +10

      If they Accidentally nuke switzerland There is too much caaualties and if it fell then History for switzerland will be changed forever or end

    • @blackrabbit212
      @blackrabbit212 4 года назад +12

      @@InformedConsent322 That is priceless! You'll have me chuckling all day, now.

    • @eisteepfirsich3358
      @eisteepfirsich3358 4 года назад

      Zürich*

  • @ml5554
    @ml5554 3 года назад +2

    Probably one of the best productions of WW2 content here on youtube.

  • @adude8424
    @adude8424 4 года назад +620

    "It's not my fault that warcrimes are so effective" - Everyone in ww2

    • @Briselance
      @Briselance 4 года назад +9

      Effective, indeed. At turning people against you, that is. :-S

    • @firepower7017
      @firepower7017 4 года назад +39

      I mean the only crime worth noting for the US is giving the Soviets anything.

    • @sorincaladera936
      @sorincaladera936 4 года назад +57

      @@firepower7017 did you forget nuking two cities? And bombing neutral countries? And mowing down POWs?

    • @1pierosangiorgio
      @1pierosangiorgio 4 года назад +11

      IF you win the war.

    • @shabut
      @shabut 4 года назад +9

      @@sorincaladera936 reeeeeeeeeee

  • @rogerhwerner6997
    @rogerhwerner6997 4 года назад +162

    This part of the war is hardly ever told. That's unfortunate.

  • @johannsebastianbach9003
    @johannsebastianbach9003 4 года назад +133

    Its 3 am but marks Magically shows up
    Me: *Cmon self just another 10 minutes*

    • @jscott1622
      @jscott1622 4 года назад +4

      Even Erwin Rommel watches Mark Felton.

    • @Reitz86
      @Reitz86 4 года назад +2

      I’m American with Swedish and Swiss parts, lol, I’m in too!

    • @danehampe
      @danehampe 4 года назад +1

      Hey I know you!!!

    • @deserteagle-nx1hl
      @deserteagle-nx1hl 4 года назад

      @@danehampe Switzerland has excellent internet addiction clinics.

  • @SynchroScore
    @SynchroScore 3 года назад +69

    "Are you neutral, or just hostile to everybody?"
    Switzerland: "Yes."

    • @Vasinvictor1
      @Vasinvictor1 2 года назад +5

      Much truth in this comment.

    • @SimonBauer7
      @SimonBauer7 Год назад

      well neutrality means nothing if you are not able to defend yourself. the swiss did the right thing. only way to stop invasion is by showing force and doing business with other nations.

    • @Ryan_Winter
      @Ryan_Winter Год назад

      Saving the lifes of 400'000 refugees during the war.

    • @imensonspionrona2117
      @imensonspionrona2117 9 месяцев назад

      If you endure you become double as potent though as you get to know both side's mechanisms of control.

  • @Volvith
    @Volvith 4 года назад +1510

    The Swiss: "We're neutral."
    USA: "Thanks, we needed some safe airspace."
    The Swiss: "Just because we're neutral, _doesn't mean we're not hostile."_
    USA: **surprised pikachu face**

    • @brinesilver405
      @brinesilver405 4 года назад +130

      *doom music starts* "And you've entered our Airspace illegally." *Loads MG 151's with malicious intent*

    • @cowboy4378
      @cowboy4378 3 года назад +48

      @@KirbyRL
      US: invades Switzerland airspace
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down
      US: bombs cities in retaliation
      Switzerland: shoots them down

    • @aminebe1263
      @aminebe1263 3 года назад +19

      @Al Qaeda USA : we will also accidentally pay you 40m $

    • @seanthoman2676
      @seanthoman2676 3 года назад +5

      Either your with us, or your against us.

    • @G-Lew
      @G-Lew 3 года назад +1

      Not for you but only for the nazis.

  • @nonamesplease6288
    @nonamesplease6288 4 года назад +93

    Mark Felton - lifting up the skirt of history and peering underneath.

  • @justenkey
    @justenkey 4 года назад +179

    Switzerland said “these hands rated E for Everyone”

  • @jk1776yt
    @jk1776yt 4 года назад +38

    Never heard of any of this until I saw this video. MF productions strikes again! Bravo.

    • @caturix4541
      @caturix4541 4 года назад

      To bad there is so much wrong information.

    • @thegrayyernaut
      @thegrayyernaut 3 года назад +6

      @@caturix4541 Perhaps you can comment to clarify. History buffs will love to hear about it.

  • @okam1q378
    @okam1q378 4 года назад +319

    Can't fight them. They're all medics

    • @petittoto7433
      @petittoto7433 4 года назад +11

      Medics are supposed to have a red cross on white.
      White cross on red is the Swiss flag !

    • @noaoah3662
      @noaoah3662 4 года назад +50

      Petit Toto it was a joke man

    • @mutairird
      @mutairird 4 года назад +10

      @@noaoah3662 but a good one may I say :)

    • @petittoto7433
      @petittoto7433 4 года назад +5

      @@noaoah3662 Probably, but most people don't know the difference.

    • @mattm4497
      @mattm4497 4 года назад +8

      @@noaoah3662 damn as a Swiss myself I hate that joke 😂😂😂

  • @feldpolizeivonpreuen5833
    @feldpolizeivonpreuen5833 4 года назад +75

    As a history fanatic, I literally never knew anything about this, Once again I've learnt something new from you great videos. Keep up the great work, Mark!

    • @bber45
      @bber45 4 года назад

      Should Read "THe Swiss and the Nazis" by Stephen Halbrok. Really good insight how serious the situation was and how close they were too all out war

    • @feldpolizeivonpreuen5833
      @feldpolizeivonpreuen5833 4 года назад +1

      I'll take note of that and check it out, it sounds very interesting.

    • @bber45
      @bber45 4 года назад

      @@feldpolizeivonpreuen5833 Yeah it is. Get to see how ready Switzerland was and the cat and mouse game of being surrounded by the Axis powers.

  • @lex1945
    @lex1945 4 года назад +329

    Okay, we will burn that 'sensitive' fighter-bomber of yours, but as a compensation we want you to give us 10 of your latest brand sparkling new fighters.. Makes perfect sense! LOL!

    • @bahnspotterEU
      @bahnspotterEU 4 года назад +53

      Alex Postma Depends on the technology that was installed in the 109s. If they had no actually new pieces of technology apart from maybe a new engine or upgraded guns, then it‘s nothing too special.

    • @meaders2002
      @meaders2002 4 года назад +45

      Canny Swiss. You have something we want and we have something you want. Let's make a deal. Of course we can't actually give it back to you but we will let you watch as we burn it so long as you send those fighters first.

    • @alexandersimon8647
      @alexandersimon8647 4 года назад +28

      @@bahnspotterEU The G6 was the first model with the 13mm guns in the fuselage, were able to use the Werfer Granate rockets and were probably the heaviest armoured model of this aircraft, built for shooting down bombers. This was pretty interesting to any nation that flew bombers over Swiss territory. It was quite special.

    • @urbanimage
      @urbanimage 4 года назад +5

      12 109's

    • @lex1945
      @lex1945 4 года назад +1

      @@urbanimage Even better!

  • @charliejohnson1937
    @charliejohnson1937 4 года назад +82

    Don't forget the time Steven McQueen tried to invade Switzerland using just his motorcycle.

  • @fatpython8920
    @fatpython8920 4 года назад +16

    Thanks for keeping up with these very interesting videos to keep us entertained during these hard times

  • @antoniolopezlorenzo4391
    @antoniolopezlorenzo4391 4 года назад +96

    American bomber in Switzerland: *lands*
    Swiss: Want to see a Swiss camp?

    • @jamsya8
      @jamsya8 4 года назад +10

      Antonio Lopez Lorenzo they were probably giving Toblerone with cheese for breakfast

    • @Longtack55
      @Longtack55 4 года назад +5

      Oooo - Davos sounds great. ............WTF!? Where's the Luge?

  • @EVISEH
    @EVISEH 4 года назад +601

    A lot of people don't seem to understand that being neutral doesn't mean you cannot defend your territory. Being Neutral means, as a nation you will not align yourself with or aid any other nation engaged in conflict. One of the reasons why, apart from being the repository for the worlds gold and valuables, Switzerland was not invaded was because it served as place of negotiation or a go between to the warring nations. Some will argue Switzerland violated it's neutral status by selling war material ie ball bearings to nations at war, however as they sold to both Britain and Germany equally and not to one side exclusively, they did not violate their neutral status.

    • @madhatter38m
      @madhatter38m 4 года назад +69

      Being neutral also means you don't allow some armies to pass and not others.... or you tend to get off flight bombing runs as a warning.

    • @carlbowles1808
      @carlbowles1808 4 года назад +2

      I agree with you.

    • @booketoiles1600
      @booketoiles1600 4 года назад +27

      Not equally no : even before the occupation of southern france, when it was still possible to trade with Britain, swiss manufacturing had already largely switched to only selling to germany. And not just ball bearings but quality equipment of all sorts such as optics for the military, AA guns

    • @loke72
      @loke72 4 года назад +11

      Good to read someone that knows ther history and more about how the world works .Its not all Black and white outside and it's so easy to complain from your sofa in 2020 I'm glad i wasn't around back in ww2 and must take a choice over the air space over your home country, enemies aircraft spotted You attack as a fighter pilot that is your job, that it every pilot in every country would have done the same.

    • @booketoiles1600
      @booketoiles1600 4 года назад +9

      @@solomontan1524 I never said it was fair to bomb swiss towns, bombhing civilians is *never* ok imho.
      I responded to Eviseh saying Switzerland was totally neutral in WW2, which is very arguable as the government repeteadly violated swiss sovereignety.

  • @beverlyhills7883
    @beverlyhills7883 3 года назад +1

    One of the best videos from your trove. . Thank you Mark Felton

  • @fabianzimmermann5495
    @fabianzimmermann5495 4 года назад +20

    Being from Switzerland, I really appreciate, that you made a video on that subject. Thank you.
    After the bombing of Schaffhausen, Swiss citicens put large Swiss flags on their roofs, so the allied pilots could see them. Unfortunately, some of them didn't even know the Swiss flag, bombed them anyway and asked in their reports, what the red squears with the white crosses meant.

    • @Dave-hu5hr
      @Dave-hu5hr 4 года назад +16

      You expected Americans to be geographically aware.. ? 😂

    • @mattm4497
      @mattm4497 4 года назад

      @@Dave-hu5hr 🤣🤣🤣

    • @fabianzimmermann5495
      @fabianzimmermann5495 4 года назад +4

      @Call Me Ishmael If I recall correctly, it wasn't even flags (I got that one wrong), but they painted them on the roofs and as I said, some American pilots reported back to base, that there were weird red squares with white crosses, so they did see them. If these idiots would have known, what the flags of the countries next to the countries they were fighting looked like (which is sadly stretching reality a little bit.), this probably wouldn't have happened. (At least, if it was accidental and not on purpose, I'm not sure on that one.)

    • @Wuestenkarsten
      @Wuestenkarsten 4 года назад +3

      @@Dave-hu5hr Bomb First asked Questions later....typical US Action! ;-)

    • @Noah_Christopher
      @Noah_Christopher Год назад

      @@fabianzimmermann5495or maybe it’s because you were letting nazi troops through your territory

  • @GunnyKeith
    @GunnyKeith 4 года назад +77

    BACKROUND MUSIC IS PERFECT FOR THESE VIDEOS. JUST WELL DONE ALL THE WAY AROUND MARK.

  • @TheCaptScarlett
    @TheCaptScarlett 4 года назад +42

    Lest we forget - Dr Mark Felton bringing us the forgotten history

  • @Brave_Sir_Robin
    @Brave_Sir_Robin 3 года назад +48

    Navigator: “I think we’re over Swiss airspace...”
    Bombardier: “whoopsies my hand slipped!”

  • @trapsenseisosa5789
    @trapsenseisosa5789 4 года назад +653

    As a Swiss Citizen i am very upset that they never educated us about this in history class.

    • @SwissPatriot88
      @SwissPatriot88 4 года назад +60

      TrapsenseiSosa they did in my class. Maybe you had a „dubel“ as a history teacher 🤷‍♂️

    • @stillsalty947
      @stillsalty947 4 года назад +17

      @@SwissPatriot88 They did in my class as well

    • @mcgeufer
      @mcgeufer 4 года назад +39

      Oh thrust me our teachers skyped many other parts that have been way worse. Swirzerland is far from that shiny thing its presents it self.

    • @rcajavus8141
      @rcajavus8141 4 года назад +6

      what are you going to do about it? go neutral again? ;) joke, cheers :)

    • @intorsusvolo7834
      @intorsusvolo7834 4 года назад +35

      As an American I’m also upset I wasn’t taught this, and very sorry :(

  • @Rustythemouse
    @Rustythemouse 4 года назад +286

    "Do you wanna look like swiss cheese?"
    Carl Johnson

    • @HoganTon
      @HoganTon 4 года назад +4

      Do you even know that only one type of swiss cheese has holes? Emmentaler... no other swiss cheese has holes.... but I bet you are too close minded to know that

    • @david123davi7
      @david123davi7 4 года назад

      Swiis: in reality no one of my chesse are holes... more you bombers yes

    • @IKveldMedMrHenrix
      @IKveldMedMrHenrix 4 года назад +13

      HoganTon He was literally just telling a joke, and here you are, acting seriously

    • @Rustythemouse
      @Rustythemouse 4 года назад +10

      @@HoganTon Hey Smoke, it's me Carl!
      Chill, chill!!!

    • @Sgreenenov13
      @Sgreenenov13 4 года назад +5

      @@HoganTon That flew way over your head

  • @brandonwilliams6942
    @brandonwilliams6942 4 года назад +201

    Germany: Lands advanced bf-110 at Swiss airfield " Ja so do you guys like bonfires and 109s?"

  • @markusschellenberg4684
    @markusschellenberg4684 4 года назад +2

    Big Thumbs up from Switzerland for very accurate reporting!

  • @ColonelPeppers
    @ColonelPeppers 4 года назад +214

    I can understand one or two accidents but when there is twenty plus, then the navigators need to go back to school.

    • @istvansipos9940
      @istvansipos9940 4 года назад +48

      - sir, we've missed the target, sir.
      - how bad?
      - sir, 250, sir.
      - hey, congratulations, Lt! 250 feet is basically bullsey...
      - sir, it was in miles, sir.

    • @deanfirnatine7814
      @deanfirnatine7814 4 года назад +31

      I think the tone of the narrators voice regarding "accidents" says it all

    • @louisryan5815
      @louisryan5815 4 года назад +10

      I'n pretty sure that, if any of them were accidents, only the first one or two *really* were.

    • @seneca983
      @seneca983 4 года назад +11

      To be fair, navigation technology was less advanced back then and a lot of the bombing was done during bad visibility to make it safer for the bombers.

    • @lernaeanhydra5766
      @lernaeanhydra5766 4 года назад +15

      Honestly in WW2 era planes full of mostly rookie crews bombing in an area where the terrain between Austria and Switzerland is identical I'm surprised it didn't happen more often. There literally THOUSANDS of cases of pilots on all sides bombing their own forces due to navigational difficulties but that doesn't mean it was a grand conspiracy by the air force to murder the ground forces.
      Frankly I think the comments are reading much too much into this one and have a deep misunderstanding of the difficulties of navigation in wartime before GPS. For more information I would recommend watching Military Aviation History.

  • @johnscarborough4746
    @johnscarborough4746 4 года назад +40

    The Swiss played fast and loose with their "neutrality" where the Nazis were concerned but I had no idea to what extent the US "accidentally" bombed them. Another great video Dr. Felton.

    • @amblincork
      @amblincork 4 года назад +6

      call it murder

    • @knightowl3577
      @knightowl3577 4 года назад +9

      @@amblincork Then it was murder on both sides.

    • @sangay9361
      @sangay9361 4 года назад +2

      They also played that with the allies by selling them military equipment and patents for swiss guns

    • @wolfsoldner9029
      @wolfsoldner9029 4 года назад +3

      @@sangay9361 They had much more reasons to not anger the axis than the allies. Also the germans held the most company shares for the gun factories.

  • @stevenrhodes921
    @stevenrhodes921 4 года назад +55

    It's content like this which makes youtube worth watching, keep it up Mark Felton.

  • @NAFOGUY
    @NAFOGUY 2 года назад +6

    My grandfather (now 96) lived in Schaffhausen when the bombing happened. He explained to me that the people of Schaffhausen didn't follow the bombsirens because of so many falsealarms which were given before the actual bombing. That's why many people were on the streets and didn't seek cover in the underground Bunkers. My grandfather was at the public swimminghall with a friend and left the hall just when the first bombs dropped. He was hit by a shockwave and luckily thrown into a place infront of some house where he would have cover. His friend later explained to him that he was hit by the upper part of a dead persons head...

  • @Sprottel_SFM
    @Sprottel_SFM 4 года назад +275

    USA: "uh?....April fools?"
    Swiss: *purchases 109s with malicious neutral intent*

    • @LS9646
      @LS9646 4 года назад +15

      Lawfull caotic neutral.

    • @TaercEum
      @TaercEum 3 года назад

      @@LS9646 LMAO! :-D

    • @WastelandArmorer
      @WastelandArmorer 3 года назад +3

      American P51s shoot down 109s, “sorry, force of habit”.

  • @mcstaal
    @mcstaal 4 года назад +803

    US Air Force, named it "precision bombing", if they hit the right country.

    • @czechchineseamerican
      @czechchineseamerican 4 года назад +18

      @Jonathan Williams I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing!

    • @digitalnomad9985
      @digitalnomad9985 4 года назад +30

      There was no US Air force in WW2. The US army heavy bombers bombed specific chosen strategic targets in daylight. Sometimes they got the wrong target. This is bound to happen when you are doing things on the scale they were being done.

    • @the4seasons4ever
      @the4seasons4ever 4 года назад +1

      @Jonathan Williams Great point Jonathan I had completely forgotten about that.

    • @kenhunt9434
      @kenhunt9434 4 года назад +9

      @@digitalnomad9985 So much for the Norden bombsight that was supposed to be so accurate. Couldn't even hit the right country!

    • @Killerspieler0815
      @Killerspieler0815 4 года назад +3

      @mcstaal -
      YES , USA "precision bombing" was hit the right country , they had were bad at targeting , thats why they USA destroyed Mannheim´s core near 100% mostly for target practice due to its checkerboard layout.

  • @TheMock5000
    @TheMock5000 4 года назад +450

    Switz: shoots down allied planes
    Allies: *drops bombs* whoops, my finger slipped...

    • @ODSTOninersIxTwO
      @ODSTOninersIxTwO 4 года назад +51

      the allies say while slowly raising their middle fingers.

    • @minigigant9337
      @minigigant9337 4 года назад +7

      wtf is switz?

    • @raptordoniv6779
      @raptordoniv6779 3 года назад +9

      @@minigigant9337 you know the Switz from Swisserland

    • @minigigant9337
      @minigigant9337 3 года назад +7

      @@raptordoniv6779 aahh damn sorry. Switzer from Swisserland. Now I know :)

    • @manwithapan1294
      @manwithapan1294 3 года назад +3

      kills 40 civilians, oops

  • @withapulse2000
    @withapulse2000 4 года назад +5

    I really commend you and appreciate your mini documentaries. You show many aspects, footage and perspectives of the war i have never seen before and for this reason alone is thoroughly interesting , decades after other documentaries have been and gone.

  • @James-pt7yh
    @James-pt7yh 4 года назад +1378

    Swiss shoots down Yank: "Apologies, it's our sovereignty"
    Americans bomb Switzerland: *shrugs shoulders...
    " The Weather"

    • @walkingalive1093
      @walkingalive1093 4 года назад +10

      Lmfao

    • @KA-vs7nl
      @KA-vs7nl 4 года назад +10

      "Its our sovereignty" got me hahaha

    • @WackadoodleMalarkey
      @WackadoodleMalarkey 4 года назад +19

      At least they didn't go with "April Fools Day"

    • @galatian5
      @galatian5 4 года назад +4

      LOL trolled

    • @395leandro
      @395leandro 4 года назад +11

      @@WackadoodleMalarkey just a prank bro

  • @anisatrash4724
    @anisatrash4724 4 года назад +33

    My grandmother actually witnessed the crash of that american bomber in 1943 near Bad Ragaz. She always believed the plane was shot down over german airspace by german AA guns. Nobody had an idea that it was actually the SAF that shot down the plane. My grandmothers brother still has the propeller of said plane hanging in his living room.
    Thanks for your great content. This was a dope video👍🏽

    • @oof5020
      @oof5020 4 года назад +7

      Damn than we have something in common. My Grandfather was on his way to bring food to his brother, who was herding sheep in Bad Ragaz. He suddenly realized that the tiles were "jumping off" the ground and the Americans were shooting at him (or he thought that they were shooting at him.) When he looked up he saw that there was a burning airplane flying in the sky and it crashed in Bad Ragaz.

  • @tortue_ch
    @tortue_ch 4 года назад +235

    To be accurate, the bf 109 G given (sold) to the Swiss air force where all almost unusable, and pilots avoided to fly them as they where dangerous and unreliable. Germany had to pay a compensation to switzerland for that trick after the war.

    • @danm3195
      @danm3195 4 года назад +21

      Interesting.

    • @ncscoobysnack
      @ncscoobysnack 4 года назад +7

      You would think that they would be able to tepair those planes. Allthough the photo looks like an early type Bf109, that might be an issue.

    • @jackfuller8960
      @jackfuller8960 4 года назад +14

      @@ncscoobysnack that's the point. All the 109s the Swiss had were E-3's purchased before the war. I imagine they shared very few if any parts with a G-6.

    • @richardaubrecht2822
      @richardaubrecht2822 4 года назад +7

      They weren't even "given" to the Swiss. The Swiss were allowed to buy them (they tried several times before and were refused). And while the machines were delivered directly from the factory at regensburg, they were actually old machines after overhaul. As Tortue asid, they were soon full of problems and quite unpopular.

    • @Haaraff
      @Haaraff 4 года назад +16

      ​@@ncscoobysnack They didn't bother to do so. By August 44, the Gustav were grounded, despite being the more advanced plane than the Emil. In total they stayed with the Swiss Air Force for only three years until they were liquidated in 1947, even before the Emil (1948). They weren't even kept as trainers, unlike the obsolete D-3800 which continued service in this role until 1959. After 1946 relations between the US and Switzerland started to improve after the Swiss Air Force picked an American aircrew from Gauli Glacier where they crash landed. 1948 relations were good enough for Switzerland to purchase 130 surplussed P-51D to replace their previous fighters.

  • @heinzkurth2748
    @heinzkurth2748 3 года назад +2

    Dear Mr. Felton, thank you very much for this video. I am Swiss, but I didn't know everything you are telling about, very interesting (like all your videos).

  • @Windows95__
    @Windows95__ 4 года назад +82

    Im swiss and im happy to see Mark felton talking about switzerland War History

    • @gg5115
      @gg5115 4 года назад

      I wouldn't have given the planes back. I guess you had to.

    • @statoilbensin2190
      @statoilbensin2190 4 года назад +3

      Weeb4235 youre a weeb not swiss

    • @harnisk
      @harnisk 4 года назад

      A swiss weeb, embarrassing.

    • @harnisk
      @harnisk 4 года назад +7

      @Mark Temperley No.

    • @gg5115
      @gg5115 4 года назад +5

      @Mark Temperley 'Cause they could have totally defeated the Germans early on. No? They did what they had to do to survive, while surrounded by the most powerful fascist armies that ever existed.

  • @glydrjocky
    @glydrjocky 4 года назад +6

    I have an altimeter out of one of those interned bombers. My dad was a 10 year old kid at the end of WWII in Switzerland. He and his buddy would stake out the bone yard fence line, timing the guards movements around the perimeter. They jumped the fence when clear and rummaged through the aircraft for kicks. Supposedly he also had a control stick from a wrecked ME-109. Years later my grandfather used that altimeter as a barometer to watch the weather changes and I brought it home when my grandmother passed away about 20 years ago. Its a prized possession from another time.

  • @noratrieb
    @noratrieb 4 года назад +596

    Americans: We're not that bad at Geography!!!
    Alos americans: oh the alps guess we're in germany

    • @raoe8326
      @raoe8326 4 года назад +5

      alos

    • @vikingirishman1
      @vikingirishman1 4 года назад +7

      It was done on purpose !

    • @MyRegardsToTheDodo
      @MyRegardsToTheDodo 4 года назад +4

      @@randomboi-ce2ro Uhm, yes? Not that this has anything to do with it.

    • @MyRegardsToTheDodo
      @MyRegardsToTheDodo 4 года назад +16

      @@randomboi-ce2ro There have always been alps in Germany. The alps are part of seven or eight different nations, and atleast two of those were actually neutral during WWII.

    • @andrewmurphy5310
      @andrewmurphy5310 4 года назад +8

      Look at a map. There is such a thing as the German Alps.

  • @chrisallaire4957
    @chrisallaire4957 10 месяцев назад

    I regularly watch Mr. Felton's historical videos, always well researched and narrated.

  • @Jermster_91
    @Jermster_91 4 года назад +99

    The incident mentioned at 5:55 was recalled by the actual pilot in his memoir, Duel Under the Stars: The Memoir of a Luftwaffe Night Pilot in World War II by Wilhelm Johnen.
    He had 34 aerial victories.

    • @SonOfAnders73
      @SonOfAnders73 4 года назад +2

      I just love this channel and its viewers , essential educations

    • @philippeaebi7453
      @philippeaebi7453 4 года назад

      34 victory 34 too many

    • @tavish4699
      @tavish4699 4 года назад

      Somebody in the Comments stated he is Related to this johnen guy

    • @philippeaebi7453
      @philippeaebi7453 4 года назад +1

      you guy you have columnists also for me the pilot hero is is Wilhelm Johnen.
      proud of him.

  • @جرائموحوادث
    @جرائموحوادث 4 года назад +24

    If you love unknown battles this is the best channel for that. and if you love military history without bias you can find it in this wonderful channel

    • @blazeaglory
      @blazeaglory 4 года назад +2

      You know lately I totally agree!
      As soon as the music starts I know it's going to be a good video!

  • @Foul_Quince
    @Foul_Quince 4 года назад +143

    Roosevelt "Negotiating with the Swiss is like pulling teeth"
    Switzerland ".....teeth, you say?''

    • @mauer594
      @mauer594 4 года назад +11

      @Danger Bear That's the joke.

    • @radenprasetyo8234
      @radenprasetyo8234 4 года назад +2

      But pulling teeth actually hurt so yeah he's kinda right

    • @normannokes9513
      @normannokes9513 4 года назад

      ​Read Tom Bower's Blood Money@Danger Bear

    • @MichaelCasey1988
      @MichaelCasey1988 4 года назад

      Oof that’s dark

    • @zorankonstantinovic3779
      @zorankonstantinovic3779 4 года назад +2

      @Uncle Eidolf - "Even in the showers they have a sign saying that no evidence was found that they were used for anything other than water".
      You are one of those lepers who like to play over tortured dead people?

  • @redcossack245
    @redcossack245 3 года назад +5

    Another very good show. I had no idea this had been going on.