Were there ever any border incidents between Swiss and nazi soldiers? I can't help but wonder what with people wanting to get the hell out of the cesspit that was nazi Germany and into a slightly more sane country like Switzerland. nazi soldiers were almost certainly trained, like their East German wall guard spiritual descendants, to shoot to kill if someone made an unauthorized dash for the line. I know about the incursions, intentional and non, when it comes to the violations of Swiss airspace -- from the nazis, the British, and the Americans. I am sort of surprised I could find no record of Italian military aircraft violating Swiss airspace, with them also being right on the border. I guess the geography was more forgiving on that side of Switzerland.
found this piece relating to part of your question.. Mainly closed and guarded border stations. When war started swiss defence army had around 450'000 soldiers... Germany invaded Poland and France... and had invasion plans for Switzerland. German Luftwaffe bombers and fighters often entered swiss air space - leading to bombers/fighters shot down and pilots killed on both sides. After the attack on England, Germany turned towards Russia (soviet union) - at this time the border was still guarded, but main defence fortresses were built in the swiss alps - with the plan of "réduit" (reduced Switzerland). Meaning that main forces would immediately withdraw into the alps in case of attacks... Some refugees crossed the border to Switzerland (around 30'000 jews) - on the other hand several thousands of refugees didn't get permission to enter. There are quite some stories about what has happened at the border... once a police officer reported a german panzer squad stopping at the station and telling him Switzerland would be the eigth country they would invade... or the legend (true?) of the german asking a swiss soldier what they would do, if Germany attacked the 500'000 swiss with twice as many soldiers - "we would have to shoot twice"... and so on.
another if somewhat different border incident,but very interesting nethertheless.. Escape from Switzerland
