The British Interned in Switzerland

A British officer’s memoir opens with a tranquil summer journey to Switzerland that quickly turns into an unexpected wartime odyssey. As Europe erupts into conflict, he finds himself and his fellow soldiers caught in neutral Switzerland, where they become “interned” rather than prisoners of war. The narrative unfolds through his observations of the Swiss government’s careful negotiations, the compassionate care provided by local medical staff, and the remarkable hospitality extended by townsfolk of all classes.

The book offers vivid snapshots of daily life inside the camps: organized medical services, improvised schools, and lively social gatherings that sustain morale. Through detailed accounts of the camps’ structure, the cooperation between diplomatic officers and Swiss authorities, and the soldiers’ own initiatives, the memoir paints a nuanced picture of wartime humanity on neutral ground, inviting listeners to glimpse a lesser‑known chapter of World War I history.