From the pages of the internment camp chronicle in Kleindietwil: August 1, 1940.

From the pages of the internment camp chronicle in Kleindietwil: August 1, 1940.

Today is Swiss National Day. In 1940, in the small town of Kleindietwil, this day was also celebrated by the interned Polish soldiers staying there. The chronicle of Max Bachmann, who lived in Kleindietwil, preserved in our collections, describes the events of August 1, 1940 as follows:

“With a great deal of goodwill, the internees decorated their quarters with the coats of arms of Switzerland and Poland. They also learned Swiss songs and our national anthem, which they wanted to sing with us. However, to take into account the strict neutrality of the Swiss, the ceremony had to take place in two parts. The Poles gathered in the station square, where a procession of children from Dietwil soon arrived, led by the Swiss guard with rifles slung over their shoulders. The children then sang by the torchlight: Ich bin ein Schweizerknabe… Then Polish songs sung by the Poles resounded. Of course, we did not understand the words, but longing resonated from the melancholy melodies. The procession then reformed for the march to the elementary school building, where the students sang several Swiss songs. Lieutenant Hafliger, the commander of the guards, read the federal statute from 1291 and delivered a few lofty words to those assembled. Then the School Inspector Sigrist spoke, probably a little too long for the Poles, who did not understand German. While the anthem was sung, the Polish officers stood at attention and saluted. But they did not sing the National Anthem and, as it turned out later, they were forbidden to do so by the local commandant, Lieutenant Budliger. He was probably a little too cautious (…). We, like the Poles, were very disappointed with this ban, especially as the celebration in the surrounding municipalities was much more intimate (…). On the occasion of August 1, 1940, the interned soldiers received a whole basket of cigarettes and chocolate from the locals. As a token of thanks, the local children received a bomber plane designed by two Poles. Currently, the plane is performing turns and spirals in the school workshop.”