Telegram No. 809 from the Swiss Government to the Swiss Legation in London

Telegram No. 809 from the Swiss Government to the Swiss Legation in London

Telegram No. 809 from the Swiss Government to the Swiss Legation in London (E. 6563), concerning the violation of Swiss airspace on 15th August 1943 (with additional references to the 12/13 July 1943 incident) when Royal Air Force bombers en route to Turin make an outward passage over Lake Annecy a returned 60 Km south of it. Complaint to be made, in person to Richard Law – Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign Office in London about repeated violations of Swiss neutrality. Vehemently asks that existing measures be strengthened and imposed robustly, stating that Law has promised investigation into events of the night of 12/13 July 1943 but declines to make any further commitment. Notes how the response note claimed that bad weather, cloud and storms upset the equipment, which in turn affected the compasses and it seems probable that the two aircraft which fell over Switzerland had lost their bearings and were in trouble. The relevant authorities have no proof that other planes passed over Switzerland but it is possible, in the circumstances, that there were navigation errors. In addition, our blackout would perhaps have led to some unintended violation of our neutrality by other means. It would, therefore, appear probable that the various bombs which fell that night over our territory come from the remains of British aircraft and that the British Government, since it regrets the incidents and the damage caused, is prepared to pay indemnity for all damages of that night where it can be proved that British planes were at fault.

1943-08-15

One telegram

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MWrightJ[Ser -DoB]-150527-080001