Switzerland bombed by U.S. planes (4-1-44)

1

U.S. State Department (April 1, 1944)

740.0011 European War 1939/33765: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland to the Secretary of State

Bern, April 1, 1944
[Received April 1 — 10:56 a.m.]

1999

It is officially announced that on April 1, 1944 at 10:30 in the morning approximately 30 American planes flew over the Cantons of Thurgau and Schaffhausen. At about 11 a.m. bombs were dropped on the town of Schaffhausen. According to presently available reports several fires are raging in the station district and in the city. Further details will be announced later. All railroad traffic in direction of Schaffhausen has been interrupted.

Military Attaché leaving immediately for Schaffhausen to investigate and report.

I shall immediately endeavor to obtain appointment with Foreign Minister for further exploration matter. Details will be telegraphed as obtained.

HARRISON

740.0011 European War 1939/33770: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland to the Secretary of State

Bern, April 1, 1944 — 8 p.m.
[Received 8:10 p.m.]

2020

My 1999 and 2010.

I called on Mr. Pilet-Golaz at his residence this afternoon to express my regret and sympathy. According his preliminary information some 50 American bombers flying from southeast in direction northwest suddenly appeared over Schaffhausen this morning and dropped bombs and incendiaries. A number of important buildings in the center of the town were hit also railway station and railway yards. Several factories on outskirts were set on fire by incendiaries. Some 100 people were killed and wounded, including a high cantonal official killed. Many persons rendered homeless; fires still burning. Railway communication with Schaffhausen interrupted. Mr. Pilet-Golaz was at a loss for any explanation of what apparently was a deliberate attack. He had sent instructions to Minister Bruggmann. He has also given orders that press and radio announcements should be restrained and factual.

HARRISON

The Pittsburgh Press (April 1, 1944)

SWISS CHARGE BOMBING BY YANKS
Planes kill 30 in neutral city, dispatches say

Liberators attack Southwest Germany
By Walter Cronkite, United Press staff writer

London, England –
U.S. Liberators attacked Southwest Germany today and Swiss dispatches said U.S. planes dropped bombs on Schaffhausen, in North Switzerland, near the German frontier, killing at least 30 persons.

A Swiss communiqué said about 30 U.S. bombers flew over the cantons of Schaffhausen, of which the city is the capital, and neighboring Thurgau. Bombs dropped on Schaffhausen started several fires, the communiqué said. Supplementary Swiss advices reported seven columns of smoke rising over the city and a number of buildings destroyed or damaged.

Crews to be questioned

U.S. Army Air Force officials said any official statement or unofficial reaction would have to await interrogation of crewmen out today and a detailed study of reports. They indicated any such reports would probably be delayed for some hours.

The U.S. 8th Air Force sent a relatively small formation of Liberators escorted by Mustang and Thunderbolt fighters against Southwest Germany to usher in a new month of the aerial campaign against the Luftwaffe and other enemy war potentials.

Reports from Schaffhausen through Zürich said the bombardment extended over the entire Swiss city.

Station reported destroyed

A station was destroyed and the assistant station master and seven other persons killed, the Swiss advices said. They also reported three factories badly hit, a theater on fire and an asylum for the aged hit.

Schaffhausen is 23 miles north of Zürich and five miles from the German border. It has a population of more than 15,000.

The Swiss communiqué said:

On April 1, American bombers in formations of 30 flew over the cantons of Schaffhausen and [adjacent] Thurgau beginning at 10:30 a.m. [5:30 a.m. EWT].

About 11:00 a.m., bombs were dropped on the city of Schaffhausen. According to reports so far received, several fires were started in the station district and the city. Further details later.

Identified as Yanks

While the communiqué said only that the bombs fell on Schaffhausen after U.S. planes began flying over, other Swiss dispatches identified the bombers as of U.S. nationality.

Soon after the Swiss communiqué was issued, the German DNB News Agency broadcast it, saying the bombers were American and that all Schaffhausen rail traffic was discontinued temporarily.

Planes circle city

Accounts from Schaffhausen by way of Zürich said the bombers circled over the city for some time, dropped a number of red flares and then opened the bombardment which shook houses like an earthquake.

A spectator said a number of houses in his area, including a cloth factory, was still afire when the report was sent. He said he saw a number of dead and wounded persons carried into a house.

Nearly 200 Liberators rode out difficult weather and heavy anti-aircraft fire, including Nazi rocket parachute bombs, to blast the Reich.

Bomb through clouds

Some Liberator groups bombed visually through holes in the clouds and saw their targets covered by big fires and black smoke. Others used special navigational devices and bombed through the obscuring clouds.

The German Air Force made only a halfhearted attempt to intercept, and the bulk of the attacks was concentrated in brief passes at a single group of Liberators.

Mosquito attack

A mid-morning Berlin broadcast said bomber formations were over and approaching Southwest Germany. Only a half-hour earlier, the same station said strong formations were approaching southern Germany. Some may have come from Italian bases.

A number of enemy raiders were also over North and Northwest Germany, Berlin said.

British Mosquito bombers rounded out the Allies’ March offensive last night with small-scale attacks on western Germany without loss. Though the month thus ended on a comparatively minor note, U.S. and British heavy bombers during March probably dropped nearly 50,000 tons of explosives – a new record – on Germany and occupied Europe.

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Völkischer Beobachter (April 2, 1944)

US-Bomben auf Schweizer Stadt

dnb. Bern, 1. April –
Amtlich wird mitgeteilt: Am 1. April 1944 von vormittags 10,30 Uhr an wurden die Kantone Thurgau und Schaffhausen durch amerikanische Bombenflugzeuge in Formationen bis zu 30 Flugzeugen überflogen. Etwa um 11 Uhr wurden Bomben über der Stadt Schaffhausen abgeworfen. Nach den bis jetzt vorliegenden Meldungen sind mehrere Brände ausgebrochen.

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The Pittsburgh Press (April 2, 1944)

U.S. BOMBS KILL 50 SWISS
Yank fliers hit city on wrong side of border

Air Force admits navigation mistake
By Ludwig Popper, United Press staff writer

Schaffhausen. Switzerland – (April 1)
The people of Schaffhausen grieved for their dead and tended their wounded tonight, but with stoic calm.

They knew they had been victims of a tragic miscalculation by American airmen and blamed it on the fact that their ancient industrial city lies on the north bank of the Rhine, only three miles from Germany.

At least 50 killed

At least 50 persons were killed and more than 100 wounded, according to an official announcement, but fire brigades and rescue workers were still digging in the ruins of buildings tonight and it was feared the casualties would mount.

Liberators attacking Southwest Germany Saturday mistakenly dropped some bombs on Swiss territory because of the difficulties of navigation in bad weather, the U.S. Air Force headquarters in London announced.

Several Swiss of this battered city told me that the bombardiers undoubtedly had believed the Rhine River formed the Swiss border. Schaffhausen is situated in a small strip of Swiss territory which projects past the river’s northern shore and is surrounded on three sides by Germany.

No hard feelings

My main impression of the hard-hit city was of remarkable order. And there are no hard feelings toward the United States. Americans were being treated with the utmost politeness and friendliness by police, military authorities and the population.

Material damage plus compensation for the dead and wounded is unofficially estimated by the Swiss at $10-15 million.

Strict discipline and organization are visible everywhere. The air-raid defenses were at work soon after the last bomb exploded.

Fires still smoldering

When I entered the town tonight, I found it permeated with blue smoke. Fires still smoldered in a dozen places. Streets were covered with broken glass from thousands of smashed windows and other debris.

Schaffhausen, with a population of 15,000, is 23 miles northeast of Zürich and is the capital of the canton of the same name. The official Swiss announcement of the bombing took pains to note that the U.S. planes “went into action over southern Germany in the Rhine area,” implying that the Swiss were convinced the bombing was accidental.

Hundreds were wandering the streets or standing guard over household possessions, piled up before wrecked homes.

The city teemed with troops and volunteer rescue workers, including Boy Scouts and women auxiliaries.

Flames were occasionally breaking out anew.

U.S. officials investigate

U.S. Military Attaché Brig. Gen. Barnwell Legge, Consul General Samuel Woods and Consul Philip Hubbard reached Schaffhausen from Zürich tonight to make an official inspection of the damage.

Eyewitnesses said everyone dived for the air-raid cellars when the first bomb exploded. The planes were gone within five minutes.

The alarm sounded at 10:30 a.m. (CET) and a few seconds later, watchers in the streets saw a formation of 24 bombers coming in from the east at a considerable height, followed by a second formation of the same size. The second group was attacked by an unidentified fighter plane and machine-gun fire could be heard.

Scores of fires

Immediately afterward, a heavy explosion shook the town, followed by several smaller blasts. A few minutes later, scores of fires were blazing.

A number of bomb craters were visible in the streets, but I saw none more than a yard wide and a foot or so deep. Railroad traffic in and out of Schaffhausen was being restored but there was no service.

This dispatch was telephoned to the United Press office in Zürich from a neighboring village.

Schools were opened to accommodate the homeless. Soup kitchens had been established on some street corners, and the military authorities arranged to provide bedding for the homeless.

Numerous incendiaries

The bombers sowed numerous incendiaries and many small high explosives. Among rows of intact buildings stood single houses that were burst by small bombs.

In a few places were groups of small medieval houses, characteristic of this ancient city, which were fired by incendiaries and partly burned out.

As near as I could estimate, about 30 buildings were totally destroyed. Those that were partly burned out were estimated by the Swiss to number about 100. The town museum was partially destroyed and the Swiss said many valuable art treasures were lost.

One church bombed

One church was bombed and the priest’s house was still burning. A new, five-story textile factory was a mass of flaming ruins. A silverware factory had been burned out, and a string factory was partly leveled.

The cantonal government building was struck by a direct hit that killed eight persons, including Cantonal Councilor Schoch and two policemen. The railway station suffered a direct hit that killed many, including the stationmaster, and the building partly collapsed. Several bombs damaged tracks nearby.

Air Force: Weather to blame

London, England (UP) –
Liberator bombers of the 8th Air Force attacking industrial targets and communications in Southwest Germany yesterday, mistakenly dropped some bombs on Swiss territory because of difficulties of navigation in bad weather, U.S. Air Force headquarters said today.

The U.S. communiqué did not identify the Swiss territory.

There was no mention of the targets in the communiqué other than a reference to a “deep penetration” of Germany. Thunderbolt and Lightning fighters escorting the Liberator formations, which were believed to number about 250 planes, shot down five enemy fighters.

Two high-priority industrial targets lie across Lake Constance from Schaffhausen, where the Swiss announced at least 50 were killed by U.S. bombs. They are Friedrichshafen, 40 airline miles to the southeast of Ludwigshafen, 20 miles to the east.

Thirteen bombers and four fighters were missing, the communiqué said. Enemy planes which fell before the Liberators’ guns, in addition to the five shot down by fighters, are not yet tabulated.

The Thunderbolts and Mustangs also destroyed a number of planes on the ground, and other Thunderbolt fighters attacked airfields in the Bremen and Hanover areas as well as shooting up 16 locomotives and damaging tugs and barges, the announcement said.

Yesterday’s raid, opening a new month in the air war against the Reich that is confidently expected to exceed March’s all-time record of 25 attacks in 31 days, marked the first deep penetration of Germany yet made by Liberators without an accompanying force of Flying Fortresses.

The commander of one of the groups of Liberator bombers that accidentally bombed Swiss territory said today that, “We are terribly sorry that it happened.”

He said:

We were blown off our course by a wind of higher velocity than anticipated.

The boys did not know that they were dropping bombs on Switzerland – and a lot of them do not know it yet. They will all know later today and they are all going to feel badly about it.

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Völkischer Beobachter (April 3, 1944)

‚Murder Inc.‘ über der Schweiz

Schaffhausener Eidgenossen erleben am eigenen Leib, was Terrorflieger ‚militärische Ziele‘ nennen

vb. Wien, 2. April –
Wie wir bereits kurz in einem Teil unserer gestrigen Ausgabe mitteilten, haben die US-Luftgangster am Samstag bei einem Einflug in südwestdeutsches Gebiet die schweizerische Stadt Schaffhausen mit zahlreichen Sprengbomben beworfen und dort umfangreiche Verwüstungen angerichtet. Nach den letzten Feststellungen sind über 50 Todesopfer und mehr als 100 Verletzte zu beklagen, doch können diese Zahlen noch nicht als endgültig angesehen werden.

Die Schweizer mußten also am eigenen Leib verspüren, daß die Yankees einen rücksichtslosen Luftterror ausüben und sich dabei um die Neutralität der Schweiz nicht im Mindesten kümmern.

Die Schweiz war für sie seit jeher ein bequemes Ausweichgebiet, um die angrenzenden reichsdeutschen Bezirke mit möglichst geringem Risiko anzugreifen oder sich auf dem Rückflug gegen die deutsche Abwehr zu sichern. Zahlreiche amerikanische Bomber gingen auch in der Schweiz nieder, weil sie den Weiterflug über Frankreich nicht mehr wagten.

Nachdem englische Terrorbomber, die gleichfalls den neutralen Luftraum über der Schweiz mit Vorliebe als Operationsgebiet benutzten, mehrfach dort Bomben abgeworfen haben, ist nun von den Amerikanern am helllichten Tag eine schweizerische Stadt einem planvollen Zielbombardement unterworfen worden. Schaffhausen, kurz oberhalb des bekannten Rheinfalls gelegen, ist die Hauptstadt des gleichnamigen kleinen Kantons und zählt 23.000 Einwohner. Wie die Berichte erkennen lassen, sind dort bedeutende Schäden angerichtet worden. Die Zahl der Toten ist beträchtlich.

An dem Schicksal, das diese neutrale Stadt erlitten hat, kann die Umwelt erkennen, was es mit der dreisten Behauptung der Anglo-Amerikaner auf sich hat, daß sie lediglich militärische Ziele angriffen. Vielmehr wird hier offenbar, daß die Luftgangster wahllos Wohnviertel, Kirchen und Kulturdenkmäler heimsuchen, mit der ausgesprochenen Absicht, die Bevölkerung zu terrorisieren, um ihr einen möglichst hohen Blutzoll abzufordern. Mord und Brand, das ist die Kampfesweise des „Mordvereins,“ der sich seiner Schandtaten noch laut zu rühmen pflegt. Wer in der Schweiz noch geglaubt haben sollte, daß die Verwüstung deutscher Städte rein militärischen Zwecken diente, der wird durch das Beispiel Schaffhausen eines anderen belehrt sein und fortan das barbarische Wüten dieser Piraten gegen Frauen und Kinder und gegen alte Kulturwerte richtig einzuschätzen wissen.

Auf die Yankees selbst macht dieses Verbrechen offenbar nur geringen Eindruck. In ihrem Bericht steht lediglich zu lesen: „Infolge von Navigationsschwierigkeiten, die durch schlechtes Wetter veranlaßt waren, fielen einige Bomben irrtümlicherweise auf Schweizer Gebiet,“ und aus Washington wird gemeldet, man „rechne amtlicherseits damit, daß die USA sich bei der Schweizer Regierung wegen der Bombardierung Schaffhausens entschuldigen werden.“

Kein Wort des Bedauerns für die Opfer dieses Angriffs und für die Verletzung der schweizerischen Neutralität! Warum auch, da man sich längst daran gewöhnt hat, den Luftraum der neutralen Länder nicht mehr zu respektieren, zumal dort das Kind nicht einmal beim Namen genannt Wird, sondern stets höchst kulant von „Flugzeugen unbekannter Nationalität“ die Rede ist.

Auch der erste britische Luftangriff am 4. September 1939, der der dänischen Stadt Esbjerg galt, hat dort als erstes Opfer der Zivilbevölkerung eine Dänin getroffen.

Das ist ihr Luftkrieg!

Unser Berichterstatter in der Schweiz meldet folgende Einzelheiten dieses neuesten Verbrechens der US-Luftgangster:

Die amerikanischen Flugzeuge – nach bisherigen Feststellungen etwa 30 – kamen vom Bodensee her, und das Führungsflugzeug gab im Sturzflug durch eine rote Signalrakete oder bombe unmittelbar über dem Stadtzentrum das Zeichen zum Beginn des Angriffs, als dessen Folge sich eine Bahn der Verwüstung quer durch die Stadt zieht. Ganze Straßen, darunter Villenviertel und andere Wohnhäuser standen alsbald in Flammen.

Auf dem Herrenacker, dem Marktplatz der Stadt, war gerade Markt, und es scheint dort besonders zahlreiche Opfer gegeben zu haben, da die Menge an anglo-amerikanische Neutralitätsverletzungen gewöhnt, sich eines Angriffes nicht versah und zu spät in die umliegenden Häuser und Keller drängte. Das Stadttheater, zwei Museen, darunter ein ehemaliges Kloster und das historische Rathaus befinden sich unter den zerstörten oder schwer getroffenen Objekten.

Da auch verschiedene Wohnviertel schwer getroffen wurden, sind mehrere hundert Personen obdachlos geworden. Um 14 Uhr waren die zahlreichen Großbrände noch nicht eingedämmt. Zu der Bekämpfung mußten benachbarte Feuerwehren, bis aus Winterthur und Zürich herangezogen werden. Auch aus kleinen Orten der Umgebung Schaffhausens werden schwere Schäden gemeldet.

Der Bundesrat hat Kanton und Stadt Schaffhausen durch seinen Präsidenten Dr. Stampfli seine tiefe Teilnahme ausgesprochen und alle ihm zu Gebote stehende Unterstützung zugesagt. Der Vorsteher des eidgenössischen Militärdepartements, Bundesrat Dr. Kobelt, hat sich alsbald nach dem Angriff in die schwer betroffene Stadt begeben.

Das politische Departement hat, wie amtlich mitgeteilt wird, unverzüglich die schweizerische Gesandtschaft von Washington über die Bombardierung von Schaffhausen unterrichtet und sie angewiesen, bei der amerikanischen Regierung die sich aufdrängenden verschiedenen Schritte zu unternehmen. Einige kantonale Regierungen haben ihre Teilnahme und eidgenössische Verbundenheit ebenfalls zum Ausdruck gebracht, so die des benachbarten Zürich und der welschen Kantone Genf und Waadt.

Die Empörung der Schweizer Öffentlichkeit findet in der Presse lebhaften Widerhall, die Sicherungen gegen die Wiederholung der schweren Neutralitätsverletzungen fordert. In der Suisse wird darauf hingewiesen, daß eine der reizvollsten Schweizer Städte durch die amerikanische Luftwaffe zerstört worden und die Arbeit von Generationen in einigen Minuten vernichtet worden sei.

Im Bund werden entschiedene Maßnahmen zur Sicherung des schweizerischen Gebietes gefordert:

Das Land ist in großer Trauer und Beunruhigung. Es erwartet von Washington und London nicht nur Worte des Bedauerns und Versprechungen, den Schaden gut zu machen. Die Toten können nicht ins Leben zurückgerufen werden und sie klagen an. Das Schweizer Volk erwartet, daß die Engländer und Amerikaner seiner Gebietshoheit und seiner Neutralität volle Achtung zollen, die es durch seine bisherige Haltung beanspruchen darf und daß sie aus diesem folgenschweren Irrtum ihrer Luftwaffe die Konsequenzen mit Bezug auf die Sicherheit der Schweiz rasch und vollständig ziehen werden.

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U.S. State Department (April 3, 1944)

740.0011 European War 1939/33778: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom to the Secretary of State

London, April 3, 1944
[Received April 3 — 9:46 a.m.]

2687

Personal to the Secretary.

This noon General Spaatz and I called at the Swiss Legation and expressed to Mr. Girardet, who is Chargé d’Affaires in the absence of the Minister, our deep regret at the accidental bombing of Schaffhausen by our Air Force. General Spaatz told Mr. Girardet how sincerely sorry our airmen were that this had happened.

WINANT

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740.0011 European War 1939/33770: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland 

Washington, April 3, 1944 — 6 p.m.
1117

We fully approve of your action reported in your 2020, April 1, and we have sent you in clear today the text of my statement to the press expressing the deep regret of all of us over this tragic incident as well as Ambassador Winant’s report of his and General Spaatz’s call on the Swiss Chargé in London to express similar sentiments. Assistant Secretary Long and the Director of the Office of European Affairs, Mr. Dunn representing me, called on the Swiss Minister this afternoon to express in person the regret of this Government over the incident and to inform the Minister that an investigation was under way by the military authorities and as soon as it was completed the findings would be made available to the Minister.

We hope the foregoing will be of some use to you in your conversations with Swiss officials. If you have occasion to discuss the matter further with Mr. Pilet-Golaz please express our deep appreciation for his orders that press and radio announcements in Switzerland should be restrained and factual.

HULL

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The Pittsburgh Press (April 3, 1944)

Swiss city clears bomb rubble

Schaffhausen death toll fixed at 35

Schaffhausen, Switzerland (UP) –
Residents, recovering quickly from the shock of an accidental bombing by U.S. planes Saturday morning, were completing the task of clearing streets of debris and rubble heaps today.

The death toll was set at 35, of whom 31 were identified and three were missing.

Several fires still smoldered Sunday and firefighters were kept busy.

A new air-raid alarm at 3:40 p.m. Sunday CET emptied streets and sent residents scurrying to cellars, but no planes were sighted.

The conservator of the famous historic museum in Schaffhausen said today that art experts estimated damage to art treasures would amount to at least two million Swiss francs (approximately $467,000).

Authorities said 27 dwellings were destroyed and many others were partly burned. Eight factories were destroyed or damaged.

Hull pledges reparations for tragic bombing

Washington (UP) –
Secretary of State Cordell Hull today pledged the United States to make reparations as far as “humanly possible” for the “tragic bombing” of Schaffhausen, Switzerland, by U.S. planes.

Mr. Hull said in a formal statement that he wished to express “my own and all Americans’ deep regret.”

Mr. Hull said he had been told that investigations made by the War Department indicate that in the course of operations against the “Nazi war machine” a group of U.S. bombers:

…due to a chain of events negating the extensive precautions which have been taken to prevent incidents of this character, mistakenly flew over and bombed Swiss areas located on the north side of the Rhine.

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Völkischer Beobachter (April 4, 1944)

Schweizer Presse über Schaffhausener Luftgangster –
‚Empörender Gegensatz zu Völkerrechtsparolen‘

Von unserem Berichterstatter in der Schweiz

b—r. Bern, 3. April –
Die beiden großen Basler Zeitungen, die auch in der übrigen Schweiz stark verbreitet sind, nehmen in besonders scharfer Weise zu dem amerikanischen Bombenangriff auf die benachbarte Stadt Schaffhausen Stellung. Die Nationalzeitung, der man sonst gewiß keinen Mangel an Gewogenheit für die Anglo-Amerikaner vorwerfen kann, findet dabei wohl das deutlichste Wort in der schweizerischen Presse überhaupt, wenn sie klar von einem „Kriegsverbrechen“ spricht, das die amerikanische Luftwaffe begangen habe.

Das Blatt sagt dazu im Einzelnen:

Schaffhausen ist offensichtlich mit Willen angegriffen worden, denn alles deutet darauf hin, daß die Flieger einfach irgendeine Stadt am Wege schnell „mitnehmen“ wollten und dabei als Amerikaner gar nicht wußten, daß es Schaffhausen war.

Dabei ist der Verlauf unserer Nordgrenze außerordentlich deutlich, wird sie doch vom Rhein gebildet, der obendrein bei Schaffhausen noch durch den Rheinfall erkennbar ist. Dem schlechten Wetter Schuld zu geben, ist daher ein Argument, das in der Schweiz die Empörung verstärken, nicht mildern wird. Aus einer Höhe von 5.000 Meter, wie die amtliche Darstellung feststellt, trifft man bei schlechtem Wetter nicht derart zielsicher, wie das bei Schaffhausen der Fall gewesen ist. Es ist durchaus möglich, daß sich infolge von schweren Verlusten die Qualität des Personals der amerikanischen Luftwaffe verschlechtert hat und dieses ungenügend über die geographischen Verhältnisse Europas ausgebildet wird. Ein Argument der Entschuldigung kann es für uns nicht sein. Wir müssen vielmehr mit allem Nachdruck verlangen, daß die amerikanische Luftwaffe in Europa genügend geschult sei, ein in Bezug auf die territorialen Verhältnisse, sei es mit Bezug auf das, was Respektierung der Neutralität und Integrität eines anderen Landes heißt.

Museum, Pfarrhaus, Kirche…

Die Montagmorgenblätter veröffentlichen zahlreiche Aufnahmen aus Schaffhausen, die ein Bild des Grauens und der Verwüstung zeigen. Man sieht Großbrände wüten, man sieht die ausgebrannten Ruinen im Zentrum der Stadt und die von Trümmern aller Art übersäten Straßen. Sehr schweren Schaden Kat das Museum Allerheiligen, eines der schönsten und reichhaltigsten der Schweiz, erlitten. Die Glanzstücke seiner Sammlung, die kostbaren Stimmer-Bilder, sind völlig zerstört. Die Sammlung der alten Meister, darunter Bilder von Lucas Cranach, ist schwer beschädigt und kaum mehr zu erkennen.

In der Neuen Berner Zeitung schreibt Nationalrat Dr. Feldmann unter anderem:

Die Rücksichtslosigkeit, mit der hier vorgegangen wurde, ist wirklich nicht mehr zu überbieten. Sie steht in empörendem Gegensatz zu den Parolen von der Respektierung des Völkerrechts, welche die amerikanische Kriegspropaganda kennzeichnen. Schaden läßt sich vergüten und ersetzen, aber kein diplomatischer Notenwechsel ruft die durch amerikanische Bomben getöteten Menschen wieder ins Leben zurück. Was am 1. April 1944 an der Nordgrenze unseres Landes geschah, gehört zum Schmerzlichsten, was die Schweiz in diesem Krieg bisher erfahren mußte.

dnb. Stockholm, 3. April –
Wie Reuters meldet, begab sich der Schweizer Gesandte am Samstagabend in das Staatsdepartement, um mündlich wegen der Bombardierung Schaffhausens durch amerikanische Flugzeuge Protest einzulegen.

Heuchlerisches Gerede der US-Presse

dnb. Genf, 3. April –
Nachdem sich die US-Presse bisher zu dem Überfall der Luftgangster auf Schaffhausen ausgeschwiegen hat, wagt sich jetzt die New York Times mit einem Artikel hervor, der darauf abzielt, den Piratenakt zu bemänteln beziehungsweise zu entschuldigen. Mit geradezu widerlicher Heuchelei spricht das US-Blatt von einem „tragischen Irrtum,“ durch den die friedliche und freundliche Schweizerische Stadt betroffen wurde.

Wenn das Judenblatt weiter erklärt, das Bombardement zeige, daß „die amerikanischen Präzisionsbombardierungen nicht immer so präzis“ seien, wie angenommen wurde, dann ist das ein zaghafter Vorwurf gegen die US-Luftbanditen, der die ganze Heuchelei der jüdischen Soldschreiber Roosevelts kennzeichnet.

Gleich der nächste Satz versucht die Banditen zu entschuldigen, und zwar bemüht sich die New York Times, den Neutralen klarzumachen, daß sie in allen Kriegen in der Nähe der Schlachtfront unter den „Zufällen,“ denen unschuldige Zuschauer ausgesetzt sein können, zu leiden hätten. Auch der leise Vorwurf, daß ein absichtliches Bombardement, „besonders am hellen Tage, niemals zu einer Angelegenheit eines wähl- und ziellosen Abwerfens gemacht werden sollte,“ gehört zu der Taktik der Heuchler, die sich durch die Versicherung, die US-Flieger seien „bekümmert und traurig,“ vor dem gemeinen Verbrechen vor der Welt freisprechen zu können glauben.

Die Schweiz wird vergeblich darauf warten, daß das Versprechen der New York Times, die Verantwortlichkeiten müßten irgendwo liegen und prompt festgestellt werden, eingelöst wird, denn mit den wenigen Worten eines verlogenen Bedauerns dürfte für die Neuyorker Juden der Fall Schaffhausen ein für allemal abgeschlossen sein.

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U.S. State Department (April 4, 1944)

740.0011 European War 1939/33815: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland to the Secretary of State

Bern, April 4, 1944 — 7 p.m.
[Received April 5 — 9:30 a.m.]

2086

Swiss press, 3rd, carried UP item datelined London, 2nd, saying American Headquarters issues following communiqué in part on Saturday’s air operations:

On account of extraordinary navigation difficulties and bad weather some bombs fell by mistake on Swiss territory.

This announcement has had unfavorable reception. Terrestrial weather conditions Schaffhausen area were reported exceptionally clear with excellent visibility. If conditions in higher atmosphere were bad details thereof are essential if statement in communiqué to carry any conviction and not to be regarded as inept attempt at evasion.

Bern Bund 4th exclaims “Stick to the Truth, Please!” and says Swiss public learns with greatest astonishment of announcement from official American headquarters England. Everyone in Switzerland believes bombs fell on Swiss territory because American flyers made mistake. But attempt headquarters to minimize severe misfortune and distortion facts must be energetically rejected. Weather over Schaffhausen enabled good visibility which even bombers themselves admitted, who certainly hit their objectives (station and industrial plants). Rhine Falls and Lake Constance offer exceptional possibilities especially by day so that unquestionably expert flyers should have easily recognized exact location.

It is painfully disturbing if American headquarters now talk about bad weather and instance of violation neutrality thereby not easier but more difficult because there arisen question of meniality. Also American press has played up ‘bad weather’ theme; bad weather from Swiss standpoint is important piece of wrong orientation of world public against which we raise protest.”

Gazette de Lausanne dismisses London communiqué with words “The excuse of ‘bad weather’ is worthless.”

HARRISON

10

Völkischer Beobachter (April 5, 1944)

Eine Hull-Erklärung zu Schaffhausen –
Bomben aus ‚Versehen‘

dnb. Genf, 4. April –
Der US-Staatssekretär des Auswärtigen, Cordell Hull, hat nun auch noch eine Erklärung zum Überfall auf Schaffhausen abgegeben, die sich in Worten tiefsten Bedauerns ergeht und versichert, daß „jede nur menschenmögliche Vorsichtsmaßnahme“ angeordnet werde, um eine „Wiederholung eines solchen unglücklichen Falles zu vermeiden.“ Im Übrigen glaubt Hüll, die Schäden und Opfer an Toten und Verletzten mit US-Dollars zudecken zu können.

Was uns an diesen heuchlerischen Äußerungen Hulls, vornehmlich interessiert, ist folgender Satz:

In Verfolg von Bombenoperationen gegen die deutsche Kriegsmaschinerie ließ eine Gruppe unserer Bomber infolge einer Kette von Umständen ausgedehnte Vorsichtsmaßnahmen, die zur Verhütung solcher Vorfälle ausdrücklich ergriffen worden waren, außeracht und flog aus Versehen über Schweizer Gebiet auf der Nordseite des Rheins und warf Bomben ab.

Das ist eine typisch amerikanische faule Ausrede, die nichts an der zur Genüge bewiesenen Tatsache ändern kann, daß es sich um einen der üblichen Terrorangriffe handelte. Kennzeichnend für die Gangstermoral ist aber die Interpretation selbst, daß ein solcher Gangsterstreich über Schweizer Gebiet „aus Versehen“ erfolgt sei. Demnach sind also die Terrorüberfälle auf deutsche Städte, bei den Frauen und Kinder gemordet werden, bei denen deutsche Kulturstätten und Museen in Schutt und Asche gelegt werden, kein Versehen, sondern eine ganz bestimmte Taktik und damit völlig in Ordnung, im Sinne Hulls und seiner jüdischen Hintermänner.

Berner Bund gegen die Luftgangster –
‚Ein starkes Stück‘

dnb. Bern, 4. April –
Die einflußreiche Berner Tageszeitung Bund schreibt zum Terrorangriff der US-Luftgangster unter der Überschrift „Bei der Wahrheit bleiben, bitte!,“ die schweizerische Öffentlichkeit werde mit dem größten Erstaunen die offizielle Mitteilung des amerikanischen Hauptquartiers in England zur Kenntnis nehmen, daß wegen „außerordentlicher Navigationsschwierigkeiten und schlechten Wetters einige Bomben irrtümlicherweise auf Schweizer Territorium fielen.“

Der Versuch des Hauptquartiers, schwere Unglück zu bagatellisieren die Tatsachen zu entstellen, müßte schieden zurückgewiesen werden. Es sei unbestreitbar, daß das Wetter über Schaffhausen gute Sicht ermöglichte. Der Rhein, der Rheinfall und der Bodensee seien ausgezeichnete Orientierungsmöglichkeiten, besonders bei Tage, so daß einwandfrei geschulte Flieger sich hier zurechtfinden sollten. Es berühre peinlich, wenn sich das amerikanische Hauptquartier auf schlechtes Wetter herausreden wolle.

Der Fall der Neutralitätsverletzung werde dadurch nicht leichter, sondern schwerer, weil sich auch noch die Frage der Mentalität stelle. Auch in der amerikanischen Presse werde offenbar die These vom ungünstigen Wetter behandelt, was, von der Schweiz ausgesehen, „schon ein starkes Stück unrichtiger Orientierung der Weltöffentlichkeit ist, wogegen wir Protest erheben.“

11

U.S. State Department (April 5, 1944)

740.0011 European War 1939/33837: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland to the Secretary of State

Bern, April 5, 1944 — 6 p.m.
[Received 10:39 p.m.]

2110

Mayer [Maher] informs me that Monday afternoon Swiss authorities convened special press conference for confidential orientation Schaffhausen incident. This conference revealed that my prompt visit to Political Department was particularly appreciated and was compared favorably with rather reluctant attitude British in cases violation Swiss air space. On other hand state[ment] attributed to Americans regarding bad weather conditions caused much criticism. Conference felt that this reflected on veracity other Amn communiqués (see my 2086, April 4). Finally correspondent expressed thought that Americans would probably try to buy Swiss sympathy by offering financial reparation but that this would never be enough.

I think last quoted statement need not be taken too seriously since of course financial reparations are expected by Swiss themselves. Statement itself is common reflection of thought of certain class of Europeans who not only now but in prewar period have engaged in this form of polemics against alleged Amn materialism. The idea is hackneyed and motives behind it are discredited.

HARRISON

12 
740.0011 European War 1939/33940a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland 

Washington, April 5, 1944 — 10 p.m.
1147

  1. Please call formally upon the appropriate Swiss authorities to say that with reference to the tragic incident at Schaffhausen on April 1 your Government would welcome information from the Swiss Government as soon as possible as to the full amount of the property and personal damage resulting from the accident in order that appropriate reparations can promptly be made to the unfortunate victims and thus at least to that extent help to alleviate their distress.

  2. Strictly for your information only: It is the strong feeling of the War Department and of this Department that prompt action on the part of this Government in meeting without haggling the claims which the Swiss Government may make for the property and personal damage resulting from this accident will redound to our benefit. We wish therefore that you handle the matter in your dealings with the Swiss with this background in mind without however specifically informing the Swiss that we intend to pay their claims without question.

We understand that the War Department is informing Legge of the foregoing.

HULL

13

U.S. State Department (April 6, 1944)

740.0011 European War 1939/33870a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland

Washington, April 6, 1944 — 9 p.m.
1176

I. To the end of implementing our 1147, April 5, please place at the disposal of the Swiss Government at once one million dollars and say under instructions that these funds are for the use of the Swiss Government to begin immediately compensation to the victims of the accident in such manner and amounts as in the opinion of the Swiss Government will be most equitable and efficient in relieving the victims’ distress. Please also say that such additional funds as may be required in the opinion of the Swiss Government will be made available immediately upon receipt from it of information as to the amounts required.

You may say orally that for our part, we plan no publicity whatsoever regarding this action.

II. For your guidance: It is the desire of the War Department that we meet without question such bills in this matter as the Swiss Government may present to us hence please do not give the Swiss the impression that we expect any accounting as such of the funds we make available. You may in fact state that all we desire from them is a statement of the amounts required for the full monetary reparation of the damages by our bombers in this instance.

III. Daymont is authorized to draw draft in this exceptional case on Secretary of State and against this instruction for one million dollars to effect payment. Render separate account.

HULL

14

U.S. State Department (April 7, 1944)

740.0011 European War 1939/33951

The Swiss Minister to the Secretary of State

Washington, April 7, 1944

Sir: Acting upon the instructions of my Government I have the honor to draw your attention to the bombing of Schaffhausen by American planes which took place on April 1.

When, on the evening of that day, I called at the State Department, detailed information was lacking and I could only request that an examination of the facts be made, and an explanation of them be given to the Swiss Government at the earliest possible moment.

Soon thereafter your Government officially pronounced the bombardment to be the result of error, and expressed its regret over the tragic consequences.

It also declared its intention of making a thorough investigation to determine the reasons of this disaster, and to take measures to prevent a recurrence. Moreover, it has expressed its readiness to make good as far as possible the damage wrought.

I have now received a first statement of facts as established by Swiss authorities which reads as follows:

On April 1, several formations of American bombers flew over Swiss territory north of the Rhine between 10:28 and 11:01 in the morning, some of the planes reaching Eglisau. More than 70 planes entered Swiss airspace. At 10:50 a.m. the city of Schaffhausen was violently bombarded by a formation of about 30 planes coming from Lake Constance, flying at an altitude of 15,000 feet and heading westward. The bombs were dropped in a volley, causing serious damage. So far, 35 bodies have been removed from the ruins. Furthermore, about 50 persons were gravely injured, two of whom have since died, and others are still in danger of death. Among the dead are a member of the Government of Schaffhausen and a cantonal Judge. More than 50 houses are badly hit, notably a wing of the Museum housing precious collections which were destroyed, part of the City Hall, a wing of the railroad station, the power plant, a garage and several factories, among which are a spinning mill, a leather factory, a pottery factory, a silverware factory and a twine factory.

The report further states that the bombardment took place under fair weather conditions, with good visibility and with a light wind.

The above is a very brief statement of the results of the investigation to date and you will appreciate, without my stressing it, that the event has caused consternation among the Swiss people and anxiety as to the future.

The penetration of the Swiss airspace by American planes resulting in the bombing of Schaffhausen constitutes a most serious violation of Swiss sovereignty and territory. The mistake which caused in broad daylight the partial destruction of a Swiss city is so grave an incident that the Government of the Swiss Confederation cannot consider it settled by its protest and by the expression of regret of the American Government. It is essential that the causes of this tragic error be determined exactly and that effective measures be taken to eliminate them in the future.

I am, therefore, instructed to request that the detailed results of the investigation, which is being conducted by the American authorities, be communicated in full to the Swiss Government, together with definite proposals of precautionary measures for preventing further infringement of Swiss rights.

Inasmuch as the American Government has voluntarily signified its intention of making “appropriate reparations for the damage resulting from this unfortunate event insofar as that is humanly possible,” it is not necessary for me to dwell further upon this subject in this note. The Swiss Government is forming a Commission of Appraisal, working with local authorities, which will, in due time, present its findings and make a report.

I may add that the Swiss Government appreciates the spontaneous expression of regret and sympathy, voiced officially by your Government and has confidence that your Government, in accordance with its attitude as already declared, will make not only full reparation and restitution for the injuries inflicted upon the Swiss people, but will likewise do the necessary to insure respect of their sacred rights in the future.

Accept [etc.]
CHARLES BRUGGMANN

15

The Pittsburgh Press (April 8, 1944)

Raid explanation asked by Swiss

Washington (UP) –
Swiss Minister Charles Bruggmann yesterday made oral representations to Secretary of State Cordell Hull about the accidental bombing of the Swiss border village of Schaffhausen by U.S. Liberator bombers on April 1.

The representations were understood to be preliminary to a formal note for the record. The United States had already presented its regrets both to the Swiss Legation in London and to the Swiss Foreign Office in Berne, and Mr. Hull had issued a statement expressing regret and pledging indemnity.

Mr. Bruggmann, it was said, sought an explanation as to how the accident occurred. Mr. Hull had said previously that an unfortunate series of events caused the mistakes leading up to the tragedy.

The minister also asked that measures be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future and was said to have accepted Mr. Hull’s statement that reparations will be made as far as is “humanly possible.”

16

U.S. State Department (April 10, 1944)

740.0011 European War 1939/33902: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland to the Secretary of State

Bern, April 10, 1944 — 7 p.m.
[Received 10:44 p.m.]

2228

My 2204, April 8.

I was able to see Mr. Bonna this afternoon and handed him letter addressed to Mr. Pilet-Golaz as directed your 1147 and 1176 with draft drawn by Daymont. Mr. Bonna expressed his sincere appreciation and assured me that he would not fail to inform Mr. Pilet-Golaz immediately upon his return which he expected would be in time for usual meeting of Federal Council tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock. I also took occasion to say to Mr. Bonna that you planned no publicity. He thanked me and said he presumed that there would be no objection to eventual announcement here.

Mr. Bonna told [me?] the Federal Government had appointed an expert to determine damages in consultation with cantonal and city authorities and if I so desired he would be glad to arrange for a representative of Legation to follow the investigations. In his opinion criteria existed for determining material damage; it was more difficult to fix personal damages. I thanked Mr. Bonna for his offer and stated position as set forth last sentence, section II, your 1176.

HARRISON

17

U.S. State Department (April 13, 1944)

740.0011 European War 1939/33938: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland to the Secretary of State

Bern, April 13, 1944 — 10 p.m.
[Received 11:53 p.m.]

2310

In letter dated April 12, received today Mr. Pilet-Golaz acknowledges my letter of April 10 (see my 2228, April 10) and says:

We thank you for this communication and for this payment and we wish to assure you that we appreciate very keenly the American Government’s concern to provide with all the promptness possible for the reparation of damages caused by that tragic accident.

We have contacted at once the Swiss National Bank in order to examine how the exchange value of the sum placed at our disposal could be obtained.

Mr. Pilet-Golaz informs me of the appointment of Professor Bohren of Thun as Federal Commissioner to assess all damages and to be assisted by a committee on which cantonal and municipal authorities as well as the cantonal Tribunal will be represented. He concludes by stating that:

Measures have already been taken or are being studied in order to provide for the immediate undertaking of repair work and the payment of installment accounts to compensate the sufferers thus enabling them to make a new start in life without awaiting the final estimate of the damages which to be conscientious and objective will inevitably require a certain time.

HARRISON