Neutral Switzerland and Sweden - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

Pathfinder · #1 4th June 2006, 15:47

I know that USAAF ships that were badly shot up or had wounded aircrews sometimes made for these neutral countries if they were nearer to them than home. I do believe some German aircraft went there also? However, what about RAF types? I have never read about any interened Lancs and their crews? I'm not sure about a Lanc's fuel range, so perhaps this is a consideration?

Alex Smart · #2 4th June 2006, 23:46

hi,

From what I have it looks like the RAF in both places had a rough deal.

Almost all the RAF aircraft that took refuge were in very poor condition and wrecked onlanding or just crashed .

Luftwaffe and US aircraft fared much better and were used by both Countries.

All the best.

Alex

Pathfinder · #3 5th June 2006, 00:38

Hello Alex,

Thanks for your reply and information.

Vraa84 · #4 5th June 2006, 10:41

Hi

According to Chorley's Bomber Command losses there where bomber command internees in both sweden and switzerland, however not in the numbers as USAAF. On march 21 during a raid on the sheelhouse in copenhagen (2TAF mosquitos) at least on damaged mosquito sat course for Sweden. And I think there is other stories where BC crews where thinking about going to Sweden.

Cheers
Nick

atckyrre · #5 5th June 2006, 13:20

There were quite a few Coastal Command Mosquitos, Beaufighters, one Mustang and at least one Lancaster that made for "Brighton", Sweden, when in trouble towards the end of the war. This was mainly after attacks on Norway, Denmark or Kattegat.
The personnel were "interned" as a loose term and in some cases repatriated through the BOAC route Stockholm - Scotland.

Regards,
Kyrre

Steve49 · #6 5th June 2006, 13:33

Just looking through Chorley's Bomber Command losses; in 1943 it lists 47 aircrew interned in Sweden (in each case the aircraft was written off) and another 5 in Switzerland. In 1942 the number was just 7 in Sweden. I don't yet have the 1944 or 1945 volumes, but I guess the numbers would be even higher for those years.

Regards

Steve Pegge

Vraa84 · #7 6th June 2006, 16:18

Hi

According to Chorley, it was 53 in Sweden and 13 in Switzerland during 44 and 21 in Sweden but none in Switzerland during 45.

Cheers

Nick

Brian · #8 9th June 2006, 13:24

Hi guys

You need to refer to Bo Widfeldt's excellent series MAKING FOR SWEDEN Part One (RAF aircraft down in Sweden) and Part Two (USAAF aircraft down in Sweden). Highly recommended.

Cheers
Brian