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Site Contents
Background
Association History
Association Officers
Contact Information
Internee Stories
Aircraft Listing
Internment Camps
Internees or POWs?
War Crimes Testimony
US Embassy Protests
News and Current Events
Newsletter Backissues
Reunion Information
Book List
Links of Interest
Guestbook
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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.
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