Alpenfestung Gotthard – Auf den Spuren eines nationalen Mythos | Doku | SRF Dok

On the trail of a national myth: the Réduit with its gigantic Alpine fortresses in the Gotthard Massif. The journey takes us, among other places, to the Rütli and the mysterious bunkers of the Alps. When Germany launched World War II with its invasion of Poland 70 years ago, on September 1, 1939, the Swiss Army was extremely poorly equipped. Just 26 tanks were ready to repel the mighty enemy. At the Rütli Report almost a year later – France had already surrendered – General Henri Guisan announced the new strategy to the assembled officers: retreat to the Réduit. From then on, the army would barricade itself in the Alps and resist from there, abandoning the Swiss Plateau, it should be noted. The Swiss population not only appreciated this strategy but even elevated the Réduit to a national myth, which was further cemented until the end of the Cold War. Countless fortifications were built throughout the Alpine region, always under the seal of utmost secrecy. Kathrin Winzenried and Nathalie Rufer investigate this national myth for "DOK." Their search for clues focuses on the Gotthard Massif, the heart of Switzerland, so to speak. She visits bunkers and fortresses with members of the active-duty generation, travels to the Rütli with General Guisan's grandson, and uses the example of the first Federal Council bunker in the Réduit to demonstrate what has become of the former fortifications. NEW DOCUMENTARIES AND REPORTS EVERY WEEK ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🔔 Subscribe to SRF Dok now on YouTube and activate the bell: https://www.youtube.com/srfdok?sub_co... 👇 More on documentaries & reports can be found here: 👥 SRF Dok on Facebook: https://fb.com/srfdok 🎧 More stories to listen to: https://www.srf.ch/audio/themen/mensc... 👀 More documentaries on Play SRF: https://www.srf.ch/play/tv/themen/dokus ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Channel info: The SRF Documentaries & Reports teams report factually, avoid scripted reality, and are committed to journalistic integrity. The editorial team's motto: We show life in all its nuances. __ SRF Social Media Netiquette: ► https://www.srf.ch/social-netiquette #SRFDok #Doku #gotthard #SRF