Switzerland in WW2

  Think Lordroel has prompted some discussion of this issue in the past.  The Swiss would have to give up much of their population centres but if they managed to withdraw into their prepared mountain stronghold's it would be very tough to winkle them out.  No doubt the Germans could do it, say some time after France falls and before the Soviets are attacked but how long it would take, how much material the Herr would lose and how many men would be the key questions.  Basically, even without the negatives, diplomatically and economically, of attacking Switzerland it would cost the Germans a lot and delay any attack on Russia to 42 I would suspect. 

The Swiss military strategy was changed from one of static defense at the borders, to a strategy of organized long-term attrition and withdrawal to strong, well-stockpiled positions high in the Alps that was known as the National Redoubt. This strategy was essentially one of deterrence. The idea was to cause huge losses to German forces and render the cost of invading too high for whatever benefits they could have gotten. During an invasion, the Swiss Army would cede control of the economic heartland and population centers, but retain control of crucial rail links and passes in the National Redoubt.

Switzerland was able to raise around 650,000 men into a field army out of a population of 4.2 million, with another 100,000 in stationary fortresses and manning fortress guns. These fortress guns hadn't been upgraded until the mid of the war, so were largely 1890 pieces or older. The Swiss airforce consisted of around 95 fighters and 125 observation craft that could be used as light fighters if need be. They only had three dedicated bombers of WW1 quality so they largely couldn't be used large scale. AA defenses were double layered. On the redoubt they would have around 55% AA capacity but ammunition for the guns would be in very short supply after about two weeks, unless they manage to bring all stores.

Invading was simply too costly for no gain. Germany would have gained pretty much nothing from invading and occupying Switzerland.

Think you should take some time and read this: Operation Tannenbaum: Hitler’s Invasion of Switzerland

It is a interesting read about Switzerland in WW2.