Switzerland’s Extensive Network of Bunkers
Switzerland has nearly 10,000 bunkers scattered throughout the country, a result of the nation’s defense strategy of digging instead of forming alliances.
History of the Bunkers
In the 1940s, Switzerland found itself surrounded by fascist regimes in Italy and Germany, and to maintain its neutrality, the country turned its mountains into a massive fortress, or redoubt.
The Swiss leveraged their expertise in digging and building into the mountains to create a network of tunnels, bunkers, and hidden military installations.
Purpose of the Bunkers
The purpose of these bunkers was not to directly protect the population, but to signal to Hitler and Mussolini that invading Switzerland would be costly and impossible, serving as a deterrent that ultimately worked.
Post-War Era
After the war, many of these bunkers were decommissioned and either abandoned or repurposed by private buyers, with some being turned into museums, hotels, or even used for growing mushrooms and fermenting cheese.
Cold War Era
The Swiss continued to build bunkers during the Cold War, but this time as a response to the threat of nuclear war, with the goal of providing a safe place for citizens to seek refuge in the event of an attack.
Modern Era
In Switzerland, many homes have bunkers, often disguised as ordinary basements, which were initially built as a defense against nuclear apocalypse in the 1950s and 1960s.
The recent conflict in Ukraine has sparked renewed interest in these underground shelters, with many Germans inquiring about renting space in Swiss bunkers due to the lack of similar facilities in their own country.
Debate on Neutrality
The Swiss people value their neutrality, which has kept them peaceful for over 200 years, but some argue that in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are necessary, leading to a reevaluation of what it means to be neutral in a changing world.
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Redoubt | A fortified or secure place, especially one that is difficult to capture or attack. | “The Swiss turned their mountains into a massive fortress, or redoubt, to maintain their neutrality during World War II.” |
| Deterrent | Something that discourages or prevents someone from doing something, especially by threatening unpleasant consequences. | “The purpose of the bunkers was to serve as a deterrent to Hitler and Mussolini, signaling that invading Switzerland would be costly and impossible.” |
| Neutrality | The state of not taking part or giving support to either side in a conflict or dispute. | “The Swiss people value their neutrality, which has kept them peaceful for over 200 years.” |
| Decommissioned | To officially stop using or operating something, especially a military vehicle or equipment. | “After the war, many of the bunkers were decommissioned and either abandoned or repurposed by private buyers.” |
| Repurposed | To give something a new purpose or use, especially one that is different from its original purpose. | “Some of the bunkers were repurposed by private buyers and turned into museums, hotels, or even used for growing mushrooms and fermenting cheese.” |
| Fortress | A strong building or place that is used for defense, especially one that is surrounded by walls or other barriers. | “The Swiss turned their mountains into a massive fortress to maintain their neutrality during World War II.” |
| Extraordinary measures | Actions or steps that are unusual or extreme, often taken in response to a crisis or emergency. | “Some argue that in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are necessary, leading to a reevaluation of what it means to be neutral in a changing world.” |
| Neutralize | To make something or someone ineffective or powerless, especially by removing or reducing their ability to cause harm. | “The Swiss bunkers were designed to neutralize the threat of invasion by making it clear that attacking the country would be costly and impossible.” |
| Reevaluation | The act of re-examining or re-assessing something, especially in order to form a new opinion or decision. | “The recent conflict in Ukraine has sparked a reevaluation of what it means to be neutral in a changing world.” |
| Fortify | To make something stronger or more secure, especially by adding defenses or barriers. | “The Swiss fortified their mountains by building a network of tunnels, bunkers, and hidden military installations.” |
Switzerland’s Extensive Network of Bunkers Vocabulary Quiz
Test your knowledge of vocabulary related to the article.
Answer Key:
1. B) The state of not taking sides in a conflict or war
2. B) A fortified structure or stronghold
3. B) Something that discourages a particular action
4. B) To take out of use or operation
5. C) The process of allowing a substance to break down naturally
The Use of the Past Perfect Tense
| The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that occurred before another action in the past. It is often used to show cause and effect, or to describe a past action that has a connection to the present. In the given text, the past perfect tense is used to describe the historical context of Switzerland’s bunkers and their development over time. |
|---|
Quiz Time!
1. By the time the war ended, many of the bunkers ________ and were either abandoned or repurposed.
2. The Swiss ________ their expertise in digging and building into the mountains to create a network of tunnels and bunkers.
3. By the 1950s and 1960s, many homes in Switzerland ________ bunkers, often disguised as ordinary basements.
4. The recent conflict in Ukraine ________ renewed interest in these underground shelters.
5. The Swiss people ________ their neutrality, which has kept them peaceful for over 200 years.
Answer Key:
- had been decommissioned
- leveraged
- had built
- has sparked
- have valued
