SWITZERLAND DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR Photo album and postcards of Swiss soldiers during the First World War including a certificate of honourable mention for good shooting results, handwritten, signed and dated 1 August 1917.

Photo album and postcards of Swiss soldiers during the First World War including a certificate of honourable mention for good shooting results, handwritten, signed and dated 1 August 1917. 30 x 22 x 1.5 cm When war breaks out, Switzerland closes its borders and protects itself against any foreign intrusion. The army was mobilised, the fortifications were refurbished and the country was ready to defend its neutrality. The Swiss feared a German invasion via Basel, which would allow the Kaiser’s armies to reach France through the Swiss Jura. And they warned that any violation of Swiss neutrality would lead to the Confederation going to war. During the war, the Swiss army guarded the country, knowing that when the fighting moved away from the borders, some troops were put on leave. In all, until demobilisation in the summer of 1918, each soldier spent 400 to 600 days on active service.