All,
Facts are that
1) Switzerland exported war material to Germany.
2) The focus areas were AA, optics and other sophisticated things
The question is of course: Was Switzerland 'semi-forced' to be integrated into the German war machine? could they have resisted a bit more?
According to Wiki:
""
In total, trade between Germany and Switzerland contributed about 0.5% to the German war effort and did not significantly lengthen the war.
""
HOWEVER: if that 0.5% was crucial and essential to German efforts (metallurgy, optics, jet engines, etc etc), then the 0.5 prolonged the war.
Here is the crucial WHAT IF:
Switzerland had stopped exports to Germany (and let us just assume that Germany would not pressure Switzerland too much at least).
Consequences for Germany? Shortening the war?
We can also chuck in Sweden and Portugal in this mix as 'neutrals' for good measure.
Ivan
Facts are that
1) Switzerland exported war material to Germany.
2) The focus areas were AA, optics and other sophisticated things
The question is of course: Was Switzerland 'semi-forced' to be integrated into the German war machine? could they have resisted a bit more?
According to Wiki:
""
In total, trade between Germany and Switzerland contributed about 0.5% to the German war effort and did not significantly lengthen the war.
""
HOWEVER: if that 0.5% was crucial and essential to German efforts (metallurgy, optics, jet engines, etc etc), then the 0.5 prolonged the war.
Here is the crucial WHAT IF:
Switzerland had stopped exports to Germany (and let us just assume that Germany would not pressure Switzerland too much at least).
Consequences for Germany? Shortening the war?
We can also chuck in Sweden and Portugal in this mix as 'neutrals' for good measure.
Ivan