During the Second World War, Switzerland became a refuge for many refugees, including Poles. In 1943, several hundred interned Polish soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Rifle Division arrived in the village of Les Verrières to support the local economy. How did the community of this small village, a key border crossing to the west, just 14 km east of the large French town of Pontarlier, react to the arrival of the internees? What traces did the Polish soldiers leave in the landscape of Les Verrières?

The origins of the Polish soldiers' stay in Les Verrières

The Infantry Rifle Division, fighting in France in 1940, after two days of clashes with the Germans in the area of the Clous de Doubs hills, crossed the French-Swiss border on the night of 19-20 June when they ran out of ammunition. In accordance with international law, they were interned. Their stay in Switzerland was governed by internal regulations, such as the regulation on camps for prisoners and internees of 20 June 1940 and the rules on the location of prisoners of war of 12 March 1943.

The arrival of Polish soldiers in Switzerland during the Second World War presented many political, logistical and economic challenges. After the fall of France, the Swiss authorities, fearing an attack from the Third Reich, considered cooperation with Germany. In the end, however, in July 1940, it was decided to maintain its independence and strengthen the country's defences. In the event of aggression, the plan was to use the combat experience of the 2nd Infantry Rifle Division.

The situation of the Polish soldiers in Switzerland was changing dynamically. Initially, in order to reduce costs and facilitate control, it was decided to locate them in large camps in the canton of Bern. However, this solution caused numerous tensions among the internees. In response to these problems, in the spring of 1941, the soldiers were deployed in seven different internment sections covering the entire country.

The economic difficulties associated with the armed conflict led the authorities to introduce the so-called Wahlen Plan in October 1940. This plan envisaged the use of the manpower of Polish soldiers for the benefit of the Swiss economy. The work, often performed under harsh conditions, required relocation and was paid significantly less than the wages received by Swiss workers, which often caused bitterness among the Poles. During their five-year stay, Polish soldiers were stationed at least once in more than 1,200 different towns, carrying out a variety of tasks in their vicinity.

Polish soldiers' stay at the French-Swiss border in Les Verrières

As historian Philippe Hebeisen notes, "Les Verrières, because of its location, acquired a unique position during the war." It was here, on 15 July 1940, that Heinrich Himmler, surrounded by his supporters, made his famous propaganda speech, mocking the position and strength of Switzerland, which became a symbol of the change in the balance of power. After the surrender of France in 1940, the Swiss-French border was continuously controlled - first by the Wehrmacht and then by German customs authorities. The border was also guarded by Swiss gendarmes. However, the border crossing still allowed the movement of people and goods, which were also often exchanged by customs officers. Some were suspected of espionage, others accused of passivity. What were the Polish soldiers doing in the area and what attitude did they adopt towards the local population?

In 1943, a group of soldiers from the Telegraph Company of the 2nd Infantry Rifle Division arrived at Les Verrières camp to help with field and engineering work. Their tasks included telephone installations, important from a national defence perspective, land reclamation and road construction. The daily life of the soldiers was regulated by Swiss regulations, which imposed many restrictions, including on contact with the local population and Swiss soldiers. The regulations, in force since November 1941, were posted on large orange placards in public places. In addition to prohibitions, they included instructions to the Swiss on how they should behave towards the internees. Although the rigour was somewhat relaxed in 1942, Poles who broke the regulations were threatened with a stay in prison camps. Nevertheless, during their stay in Les Verrières, many soldiers maintained good relations with the local civilian population and even joined the local resistance in support of the Allies.

Gift from Polish soldiers to the local community in the form of a chapel

A testament to the work of the Polish interned soldiers in the landscape of Les Verrières is the wooden Catholic chapel they left behind in the central part of the village. This small vernacular structure, with a symmetrical façade and a large entrance door, was built in accordance with the tradition of local architecture in 1943. The chapel is crowned by a signature with a cross, and inside there is a guttering with an image of Our Lady of Czestochowa.

The construction of the chapel was an expression of respect and gratitude by Polish soldiers to the Swiss people who had provided them with shelter during the war. The chapel, although small, has become a lasting trace of the Polish presence in Les Verrières, as has the commemorative plaque placed in the local school.