Operationsbefehl Nr. 12 "Central Redoubt / Réduit"

[First Revision 17.7.1940] [Changes until 1.1.1941] [Second Revision 1.1.1941]

For a timeline of the Swiss operational planning see "Swiss Operational Planning 1939 to 1941" and "Swiss Operational Planning after the Fall of France".
To match the planning against the German attack planning see "German unit timeline"

First Revision 17.7.1940

The first revision of the "Central Redoubt / Réduit" defined the initial positions of the Swiss army in detail. The task of the army was:

"Die Armee hält sich bereit, Angriffen, die auf allen Fronten gleichzeitig erfolgen können, entgegenzutreten.

Ich will:

• in erster Linie eine allfällige Remobilmachung der ganzen Armee decken und uns auf alle Fälle den Besitz der Alpenübergänge sichern;
   
• ferner solange wie möglich die schweizerische Hochebene mit ihren Resourcen halten und die Fertigstellung der Einrichtung unserer Truppen in den Voralpen zu schützen."

"The army is ready to counter attacks which can emerge on all fronts at the same time.

I want:

• to cover in first priority a re-mobilization of the whole Army and to secure under all circumstances the posession of the Alpine passes.
   
• then to hold the Swiss plateau with its resources as long as possible and to protect the finalisation of the preparation of our troops in the pre-alps as long as possible."

(Click here to get a larger map in a subwindow.)

The decision to leave the main population of the country under the protection of a relatively weak force certainly carried some significant psychological risk. On the other hand the order reflected the threat, which came from (almost) all sides after the fall of France on 26. June 1940.

After the position had been taken, more than 56% of all guns (75mm to 150mm) and 76% of the heavy guns (105mm, 120mm and 150mm) were located in the central redoubt (Réduit) together with almost 42% of the anti-tank guns and about 50% of the troops (see Statistics).

Changes until 1.1.1941

Partial Adaptation of the Operationsbefehl 12 17.8.1940

Since the front of the 7. Div was too streched this adaptation allocated the 6. Div to the 4th Corps between the 8.Div and 7. Div.

Changes in the 3. AK and the 4. AK 3.9.1940

With allocation of 6. Div on 17. August 1940, the 4. Corps could form a corps reserve of 1 Regiment. Since the front of the 3. Corps was too thin, one regiment (Inf Rgt 27) was allocated from 4. Corps to this corps.

Adaptation of the Directions on the Combat 21.10.1940

Second Revision 1.1.1941

The Operation Order No 12bis put together the original order No 12 and the changes into one single order. Some adaptations in the corps were made. In addition a lot of older 84mm and 120mm guns were allocated to the divisions / brigades in the advanced positions, since most of their artillery was allocated to the central area. Currently I still figure out additional changes.

(Click here to get a larger map in a subwindow.)

[Last Update 02.11.2005]