Internment in Switzerland.

[Maj.Nick Danger]

I found it surprising that American detainees were held in very close proximity to their German counterparts. Many Americans actually escaped or attempted escape, even under threat of court martial! Apparently, conditions there were not so good.


http://www.jmi.com/WWII/Switzerland.html

 

[Alpine Glamour]

Thank you Major!!!

So guess where I am from: DAVOS!!! Yes indeed. If you are interested in any more specific info on this topic, I'll get it for you. I am so happy that my hometown is for once mentioned under a topic other than the World Economic Forum. :eusa_clap

 

[MelissaAnne]

What an interesting site. I had no idea that there were camps in Switzerland. And the fact that the men could roam around the town and play tricks on the Germans is just mind-boggling.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

My grandfather, a French army officer, was captured by the Germans in 1940. He was shipped to Germany and spent two years in Stalag 9A. Conditions were not good. Prisoners kept alive by finding vermin (and frozen dogs) and eating them.

My grandfather finally escaped the stalag by switching places with a corpse in the infirmary. Placed in a wooden box which was loaded onto a truck, he broke out of the box while in transit, jumped off of the truck and into the woods. A whiz at languages, grandpa had learned German in the camp and used it with farmers, who sheltered him in exchange for his labor.

Moving from farm to forest to farm, he eventually made it to Vichy France, whose people were far more eager to betray him to the authorities. (It didn't help that grandpa's last name, Leitner, was perceived by them as "Jewish-sounding".) Somehow, he survived Vichy and got to Paris, where he was united with my grandma and my infant mom.

 

[Shaul-Ike Cohen]

(It didn't help that grandpa's last name, Leitner, was perceived by them as "Jewish-sounding".)

Absurdly, as he wasn't, I guess chances are he was from an Alsatian family. But that wouldn't have helped him much either, because he'd be seen as a betrayer of "his" people.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Actually, the name comes from his Austrian father's family. As far as I know, they weren't Jewish ... although plenty of upwardly mobile Jews in the Austro-Hungarian empire converted to christianity. (See the beautiful movie Sunshine for this story.)

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

You are very welcome.

So guess where I am from: DAVOS!!! Yes indeed. If you are interested in any more specific info on this topic, I'll get it for you. I am so happy that my hometown is for once mentioned under a topic other than the World Economic Forum. :eusa_clap

Glad I could be of service.
If you have any photos or stories from your home town about this subject, please post them here. First hand stories as told by the people that were actually there are I think, the most fascinating.

 

[Lincsong]

Moving from farm to forest to farm, he eventually made it to Vichy France, whose people were far more eager to betray him to the authorities. (It didn't help that grandpa's last name, Leitner, was perceived by them as "Jewish-sounding".) Somehow, he survived Vichy and got to Paris, where he was united with my grandma and my infant mom.

So Chevalier is your father's name. You're French on both sides?

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

A great story.

My grandfather, a French army officer, was captured by the Germans in 1940. He was shipped to Germany and spent two years in Stalag 9A. Conditions were not good. Prisoners kept alive by finding vermin (and frozen dogs) and eating them.

My grandfather finally escaped the stalag by switching places with a corpse in the infirmary. Placed in a wooden box which was loaded onto a truck, he broke out of the box while in transit, jumped off of the truck and into the woods. A whiz at languages, grandpa had learned German in the camp and used it with farmers, who sheltered him in exchange for his labor.

Moving from farm to forest to farm, he eventually made it to Vichy France, whose people were far more eager to betray him to the authorities. (It didn't help that grandpa's last name, Leitner, was perceived by them as "Jewish-sounding".) Somehow, he survived Vichy and got to Paris, where he was united with my grandma and my infant mom.

Would make a great movie!

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

What an interesting site. I had no idea that there were camps in Switzerland. And the fact that the men could roam around the town and play tricks on the Germans is just mind-boggling.

The fact that a handful that were clasified as escapees could pretty much travel freely around the country, like this veteran, is really mind boggling to me!

http://www.91stbombgroup.com/artfoster.html

 

[Marc Chevalier]

So Chevalier is your father's name. You're French on both sides?

No, the "Chevalier" name comes courtesy of my dad's ancestors, who emigrated from Switzerland to Illinois and Iowa in the early 1850s. These Swiss ancestors emigrated from France to Switzerland in 1572.

My French mom's maiden name is Leitner, courtesy of her Austrian grandfather.

Confusing, I know.

 

[Lincsong]

No, the "Chevalier" name comes courtesy of my dad's ancestors, who emigrated from Switzerland to Illinois and Iowa in the early 1850s. These Swiss ancestors emigrated from France to Switzerland in 1572.

My French mom's maiden name is Leitner, courtesy of her Austrian grandfather.

Confusing, I know.

So is it pronounced; Che-val-e-lay as in Maurice?
or Cheva-leer as in Chevrolet?

 

[MelissaAnne]

Marc - what a great story. I'd definitely write that down if you haven't already to keep it for future generations.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

So is it pronounced; Che-val-e-lay as in Maurice?
or Cheva-leer as in Chevrolet?

I should, MelissaAnne! Thanks for the encouragement.

Linc, it's pronounced "Sheu-val-liaae", with the stress on the first syllable.