Carving a Legacy: General Guisan and the Alpenreduit Strategy

This cartoon illustration features two Swiss mountaineers chiseling a statue of General Henri Guisan into the granite wall of a towering mountain, evoking an old-fashioned style reminiscent of historical propaganda art. The scene mirrors the grandeur of Mount Rushmore, symbolizing Swiss pride and resilience during World War II. General Guisan, revered for his decisive leadership, is depicted with a calm yet commanding expression as his legacy is immortalized in stone.

General Henri Guisan (1874–1960) played a critical role in maintaining Switzerland’s neutrality during World War II. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces, he introduced the “Reduit Strategy” (Alpenreduit), which concentrated Switzerland’s defenses in the Alpine region. This strategy aimed to protect key infrastructure, including railways and supply lines, while rendering the nation’s mountainous terrain a virtually impenetrable fortress. The plan served as both a deterrent and a statement of Switzerland’s determination to defend its sovereignty.

The cartoon pays tribute to Guisan’s enduring influence on Swiss national identity, highlighting the deep respect the Swiss people hold for his leadership during a tumultuous era.