Had the Germans decided to "detain" the Pope, how long could the Swiss Guard stand against the Germans?
Think they(the Swiss Guard) will have lots of help from the citizens of Rome.
Oh, the Nazis dared lots of stupid things. I think it's within Hitler's insanity to demand the Pope be captured/killed. It would be amazingly counterproductive, of course. Even worse than exterminating Jews in death camps. But counterproductive and Nazi are a fairly good fit....The Swiss guard is elite no doubt but at their peak they could never be considered an army to do any more than slow the Germans slightly. But arresting the Pope would be such a scandal the Nazis wouldn't dare
Oh, the Nazis dared lots of stupid things. I think it's within Hitler's insanity to demand the Pope be captured/killed. It would be amazingly counterproductive, of course. Even worse than exterminating Jews in death camps. But counterproductive and Nazi are a fairly good fit....
In addition to the Swiss guard, at this time there where several other units guarding the pope. I think all together he had a little under 6000 troops protecting him
I think most were simple local Italians in a militia who where loyal to the popeAnd they were equiped with the little known but highly efective Rosario LMG. Capable of putting out a rate of fire of 570 Lord's Prayers per minute. And if they had 6000 troops protecting the pope just where the hell did they put them
Had the Germans decided to "detain" the Pope, how long could the Swiss Guard stand against the Germans?