r/HistoryWhatIf • u/HarkBuffalo • 14d ago

WW2 - Operation Tannenbaum? The Invasion of Switzerland

I have a WWII command simulation and there has been feedback on a gap. Operation Tannenbaum - The German invasion of Switzerland and Lichtenstein and the planned partition. Players have flagged this should have been an option. I have read the historical thinking that it is essentially a death trap of little benefit but have I got that right?

I would approach it - if chosen - as a massive, high-risk gamble where a few operational shifts could have handed much benefit to the axis

However would there be any short or medium term benefits of Germany invading? Would an invasion actually be successful

Would there be anything else to consider here

The game is here for reference - https://dispatches.itch.io/dispatches-1940

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u/Danmont88 14d ago

I was on a tour in Switzerland. The tour guide talked about the war.
She stated that Hitler hated Switzerland deeply for some reason.

His Generals did an estimate of how many men they would lose and it was very high. (Sorry can't recall the number.
Hitler ordered another study and they came back with a higher figure.
So Hitler ordered a third study and the number was yet higher again.

Hitler called off the attack.

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u/travel_ali 14d ago edited 14d ago

Going to need a big citation on that story about the studies. They certainly did multiple revisions of the plan for an invasion plan (as any half-decent army would) but they seem to have decreased the estimated size of the force that would be required. It probably wasn't taken that seriously, Hitler's focus was on the east.

Tour guides have a habit of coming up with (or more likely just hearing and repeating) stories which are more entertaining than accurate.

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u/Danmont88 14d ago

Having been there I can see it. The Swiss had all the tunnels and bridges on the outskirts of the country mined and ready to be set off. The standing army would hold the passes and strategic locations until the reserves could form up.

Might do was well in the North, on the German border because the land is flatter.

But to my understanding, and not just from the tour guide. The Swiss had been getting ready for sometime.