Accidental bombing in Switzerland
A newspaper cutting with a report on the accidental bombing of Riggisberg and Bouveret in Switzerland.
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1943-07-14
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One photocopy
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MWrightJ[Ser#-DoB]-150527-13
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Aerial violation of Swiss airspace
Report form the Commander, District 1, Land Division regarding violations of Swiss airspace on night of 12/13 July 1943 when all areas covered by the Territorial Inspectorate of District 1 received alerts which began at 00.06 and continued until 02.09. Large numbers of aircraft were seen overflying this whole area, sometimes at a lower altitude than seen in previous sorties.
The report consists of five sections:
1. Details of bombs which fell in and around Praratoud and action taken.
M. Gauthier, Chief of Police of the Fribourg Canton, had received reports of bombs falling on Praratoud, Oudisfeld and Ueberstorf. He went to Praratoud immediately and confirmed that the above reports were true – 5 bombs had fallen but not exploded. With the help of the local constabulary, he took steps to establish order and ensure the evacuation of one farm especially at risk. The Federal Military Police requested that M. Gauthier, remain in Praratoud to investigate the possible destruction of the bombs or their removal. A Military Service Order was put in place and would remain until the bombs were removed or destroyed. In the locality of Oudisfeld only one bomb fell and exploded: however, it was claimed that there was serious damage to crops and to the rooves of apartment blocks over a radius of 400 – 800 m.
2. Details of bomb which fell on Le Bouveret and action taken.
Information, coming into District 1 from different directions, suggested that a bomb fell in the vicinity of Le Bouveret. A detachment of Fusiliers from the Border Force was immediately sent out to investigate. It was thus established that a 4-engined aircraft had come down in this area. 5 bodies were found and searches continued. Major Corboz of District 10 got in touch with M. Gauthier shortly before 08.00 and requested instructions concerning the collection of the bodies. From 08.00 onwards detachments from District 10 and Border Force Fusiliers continued with the formalities.
3. Details of bomb which fell near Sion. Difficulties encountered and action taken.
Details had come in from various directions regarding the fall of an aircraft in the vicinity of Sion but problems were encountered when trying to contact and obtain reliable information from the relevant authorities during the hours of darkness. In spite of these difficulties, the reports received were eventually thought to be correct and the Inspector of District 1 was able to send the order to District 10 to ask the neighbouring constabularies to proceed with the necessary enquiries. An aircraft was finally located at the end of the road leading to Viryon.
4. Details regarding incendiary bombs.
During the morning, various places were located where the incendiary bombs had fallen, – mainly in the area above Lausanne in the region of Savigny, Normiers and their environs. Steps were taken in each case to proceed with the destruction of the unexploded incendiary bombs. These bombs do not appear to have caused widespread damage.
5. Other bodies contacted and informed regarding the above events.
Various other imprecise observations were confirmed as correct in the early part of the morning by Districts 2 and 11 and the Inspectorate of District 1 was immediately informed. As soon as the facts were sufficiently clarified, each piece of information regarding the 2 afore-mentioned aircraft was also communicated to the Army High Command, Land Division; the Intelligence Service; the Anti-Aircraft Division and the Press Office of District 1. He also requested that all authorities under the control of District 1 participate in the destruction of the incendiary bombs – or, for any other incident, to send in a detailed report.
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1943-07-14
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Two typewritten sheets
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MWrightJ[Ser#-DoB]-150527-07
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After the last fly-over of British planes
Dateline 14th July 1943
A communique written by the Swiss authorities after a mass fly over of RAF aircraft. Two aircraft crashed, bombs and propaganda leaflets were dropped. The area most affected was Fribourg but three other areas reported bombing - Riggisberg, Flammart and Fridbourg
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1943-07-14
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One typewritten sheet
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MWrightJ[Ser#-DoB]-150527-12
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Bouveret [place]
Le Bouveret
This page is an entry point for a place. Please use the links below to see all relevant documents available in the Archive.
Extracts from 'Nouvelliste Valaisan'
The Sirens Resounded on Monday Night
27 pages transcribed from a local newspaper covering the night 100 bombers overflew Switzerland leading to two being shot down. Bombs were dropped on Swiss territory.
14 airmen were buried at Vevey and the funeral is described. There is repetition of documents and accounts.
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1943-07-14
1943-07-15
1943-07-16
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27 typewritten sheets
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MWrightJ[Ser#-DoB]-150527-11
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Letter from Armee Suisse to Department politique federal
The letter refers to a map found in the remains of the aircraft at Bouveret. The map indicates a route via Annecy and a second to the west of Lyon.
Included is the map with the routes marked on.
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1943-07-24
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Two photocopies
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MWrightJ[Ser#-DoB]-150527-10
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Telegram No. 787 from the Swiss Government to the Swiss Legation in London
Telegram No. 787 from the Swiss Government to the Swiss Legation in London (A. 3080), concerning the violation of Swiss airspace on 13/14 July 1943, between 12.04am – 01.00am. Over 100 British aircraft flew over southern Switzerland, covering the area between Porrentruy, Le Brassus, Lake Leman and Chiasso. One aircraft came down at Le Bouveret, one near Sion. Bombs and incendiaries were dropped, and damage caused at Hauts-Geneveys, Gubelfeld, Flamatt, and Praratoud. Includes instructions for strongly worded protest and requirement for reparation for damages caused to be sent to the British Government.
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1943-07-13
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One telegram
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MWrightJ[Ser#-DoB]-150527-08
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The funeral of the English airmen tragically killed in Thyon and Le Bouveret
Details of the funeral of the airmen at Vevey. A large number of wreaths adorned the coffins. A crowd described as 'extensive' attended. Annotated with 'Cost to Govt sf 7447.40 ED412 'O'
sf 300 ED 531
7747.40
sf 553.36 per man!'
On the second page titled 'A Tragic Night' details the crash of one aircraft near Bouveret and a second near Sion.
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1943-07-12
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Two typewritten sheets
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MWrightJ[Ser#-DoB]-150527-09
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