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Welcome to the Swiss Internees Association Website      On 13 August, 1943, the U.S. Army Air Force B-24 bomber "Death Dealer" sustained heavy battle damage that left only two out of four engines functioning. The pilot, First Lieutenant Alva "Jack" Gero, knew that they would never make it back over the Alps to their base in North Africa, so he instructed his navigator to divert to Switzerland. After crash-landing at Thurau near Wil, Switzerland, the crew set fire to Death Dealer before their capture and interrogation by the Swiss military.       As the Allied Strategic Air Offensive increased in scope, many other crippled U.S. aircraft also sought refuge in neutral Switzerland. By the end of World War II, over 1,500 American soldiers had entered Switzerland in such a manner and were interned by the Swiss government. Those who attempted escape were sent to punishment camps, where many suffered conditions comparable to imprisonment by the Axis powers.       The Swiss Internees Association, Inc. became a non-profit corporation in February of 1986. The SIAI membership is composed of those Army Air Force veterans who endured captivity by the Swiss Government, as well as their survivors. The SIAI seeks to ensure that this important chapter in American history is truthfully represented and is never forgotten. Over time, they have assembled an extensive archive that includes documents from the Swiss Federal Archives, Swiss newspapers and magazines, the U.S. National Archives and the USAF historical repositories. The SIAI also archives the personal stories and memorabilia of its members to ensure that their first hand accounts are available to future generations. UPDATES: 4 NOV 07: History of the Association added courtesy of Robin Speer, Bob Long's daughter. 8 MAY 07: Story of Bill Green added to Internee Stories page. 7 MAY 07: Story of Luther Hughes added to Internee Stories page. 5 MAY 07: Story of George W. Michel added to Internee Stories page.