“Halbrook succeeds not only in achieving a thorough analysis of Switzerland’s armed neutrality; but also in revealing through their own voices the willingness of ordinary citizens to accept total war in order to preserve their freedom.â€â€•Swiss American Historical Society Review This book tells the long misunderstood story of Switzerland in World War II with emphasis on two voices rarely heard. One is that of scores of Swiss who lived in those dark years; as they repeatedly mobilized to defend the country and helped refugees. The other voice is that of Nazi Intelligence; which spied on the Swiss and planned subversion and invasion. Exhaustive documents from the German military archives reveal a chilling rendition of attack plans. When Switzerland became surrounded by the Axis Powers; it first mobilized a "spiritual defense;" using the press; cabarets; and newsreels as weapons against totalitarianism; even at the risk of provoking the Nazis. Swiss soldiers recall an epoch when every day could have been "the day" when all hell would break loose and they would meet the enemy. Blitzkrieg plans against Switzerland devised by the Wehrmacht in 1940 are described; as is how Switzerland became an armed camp with countless fortifications; against which the Axis could have attempted access only with extreme costs in blood. The book goes on to describe Swiss life during the war with its shortages; alarms; and rumors. A chapter investigates whether Swiss officials played a role in Germany's adoption of the "J" stamp on Jewish passports; and how Switzerland became a lifeboat for refugees. Another chapter focuses on Davos; where the Swiss struggled against a Fifth Column; and which became a safe haven for American airmen whose crippled bombers made it to Swiss territory. The last chapter profiles Switzerland as America's window on the Reich―how Allen Dulles and his OSS spied on the Nazis; at times with help from Swiss Intelligence.
#713589 in Books Savas Beatie 2010-12-08 2010-12-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.28 x 1.03 x 6.36l; 1.47 #File Name: 1932714871384 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent overview of the Confederate cavalry operations during the Chickamauga campaignBy Classic Rock FanI have been to Chickamauga many times but not recently. I used to go on the military staff rides with William Glenn Robertson and have also gone with the NYC Civil War Round Table with Jim Ogden leading the group. I currently own Gracie's book about Chickamauga as well as Cozzen's book on Chickamauga and Chattanooga. I have added David Powell's Maps of Chickamauga as well as this book. All I can say is that I can not disagree with anything David Powell has stated. Forrest did have a learning curve to corps command and Wheeler probably have received a medal from the Union side for helping the Union side. Definitely a recommended read for anybody interested in the Civil War and this campaign. I will be purchasing David Powell's 3 volume set in the Chickamauga campaign in the near future. Many thanks to Savas for publishing these books.As for the Confederate "barren" victory; let's say that Union troops came and filled the hole between Snodgrass Hill and the Kelly field. The Confederates continued to beat themselves against that line and then retreated to Dalton GA. Is Rosecrans and Thomas going to pursue the Confederates. No; the Union Army would limp back to Chattanooga and rest and refit much like they did after Stone's River. I don't know what anybody would have been able to do with the Confederate army immediately after the heavy casualties lost at Chickamauga.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Good Book But I disagree with some Powells conclusions:By jab40First lets start by saying Powell is a very good writer; I have both his books on Chickamauga and I cant wait for his series on the Chickamauga Campaign next year. In this book I have to disagree with some of his points; in the book He places a lot of blame on Wheeler and Forrest. It seems at times he places the whole failure of the Army of the Tennessee on their shoulder's. Now some will disagree with me and that's fine; we all have a right to our point of view. However I do believe both Wheeler and Forrest failed as the eye's and ear's of Bragg's army. I hold Wheeler more at fault than Forrest; now hold on before you start foaming at the mouth. Here's why Wheeler is more at fault than Forrest: Wheeler was a trained military professional; he had the education. Read this from Wikipedia: Wheeler entered West Point in July 1854; barely meeting the height requirement at the time for entry. He graduated on July 1; 1859; placing 19th out of 22 cadets; and was commissioned a brevet second lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Dragoons.[3] He attended the U.S. Army Cavalry School located in Carlisle; Pennsylvania; and upon completion was transferred on June 26; 1860; to the Regiment of Mounted Rifles stationed in the New Mexico Territory. So Wheeler should have known how to operate as a Cavalry Chief. Now lets look at Forrest : He had no education; he was self taught. He had no prior military training; he was in essence learning on the job. Forrest was a brawler. Forrest was good as a small cavalry raider; in those operations Forrest did very well; read what he (Forrest) did to Grant : Again; Bragg ordered a raid; this one into west Tennessee to disrupt the communications of the Union forces under Grant; threatening the city of Vicksburg; Mississippi. Forrest protested that to send such untrained men behind enemy lines was suicidal; but Bragg insisted; and Forrest obeyed his orders. On the ensuing raid; he showed his brilliance; leading thousands of Union soldiers in west Tennessee on a "wild goose chase" to try to locate his fast-moving forces. Never staying in one place long enough to be attacked; Forrest led his troops in raids as far north as the banks of the Ohio River in southwest Kentucky. He returned to his base in Mississippi with more men than he had started with. By then all were fully armed with captured Union weapons. As a result; Union general Ulysses S. Grant was forced to revise and delay the strategy of his Vicksburg Campaign. "He [Forrest] was the only Confederate cavalryman of whom Grant stood in much dread;" a friend of Grant's was quoted as saying. So yes I do agree with Him that some blame can be placed on them both. But I believe that even if Wheeler and Forrest had performed perfectly ; got all the information Bragg needed; screened Braggs army; stopped the Union army at key points; I believe the internal problem's within Braggs command; would have caused Braggs operations to fail. The commanders under Bragg flat out refused to obey his orders. Even before Longstreet left Lee's army he became caught up in the affair. The cancer that spread through Braggs command was to far gone; it had spread all the way down to lower levels of command. So even if Wheeler and Forrest had did their job's; the internal conflict would have caused Braggs plan's to fail. Look at the attack at Davis Crossroads on Sept 10-11; Bragg wanted Thomas C. Hindman to attack Negley's division. Hindman disobeyed Braggs orders to attack. There are so many example's that one could use; going back before this battle; all the way to Perryville. Bragg was at fault for all of this as commander of the army he should have tried to fix the problems in his command; instead of causing more. There are so many who are to blame for the failure of this Grand Army; who wrought it's destruction. Chickamauga was indeed a hallow victory for the Army of Tennessee. This book should be read but like I said there are so many who are to blame. Forgive any typo's and the like; I am not a very good writer.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Being a Forrest admirer (but realizing he is not perfect) I was very pleased and informed with the premise and research of FailuBy NateinTnPowell hits a homerun with this work. Being a Forrest admirer (but realizing he is not perfect) I was very pleased and informed with the premise and research of Failure in the Saddle. For anyone who likes a deep dive into the Chickamauga Campaign and all its sub plots........BUY THIS BOOK.As a member of The Sons of Confederate Veterans and having a great grandfather ride with both Forrest and Wheeler I found this book to be non-bias as well as "matter of fact" with what occurred during this time.
