The internment of prisoners of war and civilians in neutral Switzerland, 1916–19

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the internment of sick and wounded prisoners of war in Switzerland as a result of international agreements between Switzerland and warring states, starting with the accord between France and Germany in January 1916. The soldiers and civilian internees who benefitted from this type of internment came from several warring European states and from British dominions and colonies including Canada, India, Australia and New Zealand. Since Switzerland adhered throughout the war to the concept of armed neutrality, there was no question of interning 'enemy' soldiers captured on the battlefield or 'enemy aliens' in the traditional sense of the term. The First World War led to increased state intervention in the lives of private individuals in Switzerland, just as it did in the belligerent countries. The central commission for internee labour received many requests from Swiss companies because of the growing manpower shortages in Switzerland.