Swiss Airforce during WWI

[Roundel]

The Swiss kept Allied fliers and planes interned until after Japan surrendered. Makes you wonder what they were up to.

[Barrett]

A couple of SAF items:
The data plate on Champlin's 109 shows it was built in Altenrein on something like 22 May 45. Yup, I know: VE-Day was 8 May. Reportedly the Allied Control Commission allowed the factory to complete the Swiss order even though the war was officially over! The Swiss has paid good money for their airplanes and expected delivery. Champlin's bird is a composite Spanish airframe and Emil "firewall forward."
Break-break
Allied airmen downed in Switzerland (as opposed to those who "diverted" there) could call a phone number if they had time before falling into the hands of Officialdom. According to an 8th AF fighter pilot, the number was memorized and could get the errant flier to a safe house--assuming he was interested in being exported to resume the war. My source called that number in the 70s, just on a whim, and got no answer.

[vince14]

The Swiss got hold of their first Nieuport 28 on 25 June 1918 when 2/Lt. James F Ashenden crash landed his 147th Aero N6212 '2' onto a Swiss farm, after being hit by AA over Metz. Ashenden was interned at Camp Andermatt in the Swiss Alps until he was released on 28 November 1918. N6212 was subsequently repaired (having lost its landing gear and upper wing in the crash) and then became 607 of the Swiss Airforce, and was retired in August 1925 suffering from structural fatigue in the rear fuselage longerons. One of the 28's subsequently purchased by the Swiss, No. 688, can still be seen at the Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne.

You've gotta admire the Swiss - You land a plane there, they keep the crew 'till the war is over, and they don't give you the plane back! A great way to build up an airforce cheaply, methinks!

[leo]

I wonder why anyone would be surprised that the Swiss consult their own self interests first? They certaily aren't the first country to do so.

The Swiss had over 1700 American flyers interned for the duration of the war. They had other Alied pilots, as well, but. I don't have those numbers.

American planes bombed Zurich and Schaffhausen during WWII.

The Swiss did have at least one Albatros d5a which lost its way, late 1918, from the Squadron book on Albatros Fighters.2 Austrian/Czech flyers flew their Oeffag D3 253 series in late Nov 1918- they were Bela Mayer and Adolf Blaha.Italian Handriots also were interned.