Small Coutries

Helmut · Post by **Helmut** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:04 pm

Servus,
I just read the rather humerous account about the accidental "invasion" of Lichtenstein by Swiss troops this past weekend.
I was wondering, were Lichtenstein, Monaco, and some of the other mini-countries occupied by the Germans or Italians in WWII?

Thanks in advance for any information.

Regards,

Helmut

Brian38 · Post by **Brian38** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:45 pm

Hello Helmut
I hope you understand French. In the french wikipedia you can read about Monaco:
L'arrivée des troupes italiennes en juin 1940 inquiète le prince Louis II de Monaco à titre personnel. Il craint une annexion et une destitution. Il se rapproche du gouvernement de Vichy. C'est à Pierre Laval et au maréchal Pétain - dont il a embauché l'ancien aide de camp - qu'il demande, avec succès, assistance.

Le 25 juin 1943, Louis II offre un banquet au consul d'Allemagne. Les nazis arrivent à Monaco en septembre 1943. Il nomme le docteur Bernhard Bodenstein, un membre du parti nazi, consul de Monaco à Berlin, alors que des Allemands, prennent des participations dans la Société des bains de mer. Les liens avec les nazis remontent à 1936, quand le ministre des finances allemand Hjalmar Schacht rend visite au prince pour mettre en place un meccano financier à partir de banques allemandes.

Le prince Louis II fait passer les mêmes lois que le gouvernement de l'état français sur les juifs.

Brian38 · Post by **Brian38** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:48 pm

Liechtenstein was not occupied by any troops.
So it had the same history in WW II as Switzerland.

phylo_roadking · Post by **phylo_roadking** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:48 pm

If you look up the English version of Wikipedia its a a bit more comprehensive.

sid guttridge · Post by **sid guttridge** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 5:38 am

Hi Helmut,

There are a couple of recent histories of Monaco in WWII. One is entitled "Un rocher bien occupe". I recommend it.

Cheers,

Sid.

Helmut · Post by **Helmut** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 10:20 am

Thanks for all your responses but i do not read French.
I will, however , try the Wikopedia.

Thanks again,

Helmut

Paulus II · Post by **Paulus II** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 10:55 am

How about San Marino and Andorra?

I've had a quick look on Google but couldn't find anything on WW II. Does anybody know what happened to these two small countries?

Cheers,

Paul

TPMM · Post by **TPMM** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:02 pm

Am I wrong, or there were 25 volonteurs from Liechtenstein to German Army?

phylo_roadking · Post by **phylo_roadking** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:06 pm

Am I wrong, or there were 25 volonteurs from Liechtenstein to German Army

u mean somebody noticed?

Loïc L. · Post by **Loïc L.** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:50 pm

Andorra wasn't occupied, due to the Spanish Civil War there was a garrison of 150 French Gendarmes between 1936 and 1940, it seems that Feldgendarmen reached the country to escape to the Maquis in 1944.

Monaco was occupied by the Italians in november 1942, by the Germans after september 1943.

John Kilmartin · Post by **John Kilmartin** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:59 am

According to http://www.funtrivia.com/en/Geography/S ... 9.html#faq
It was neutral till 1939-44 though its leadership was pro-fascist. From the World At War website the only date given is 21 September 1944 when it declared war on Germany. For some reason I had always thought that the Commonwealth countries had been at war with San Marino but I don't find any reference online to war being declared though San Marino was bombed by the British during the Italian campaign.
Cheers John K