dodis.ch/47166

Le Ministre de Grande-Bretagne à Berne, D. Kelly, au Chef du Département politique, M. Pilet-Golaz1

I note from an Army Communiqué issued today that in agreement with the Federal Council, a general black-out at 22.00 each night has been ordered throughout the Confederation as from tomorrow evening November 7th2.

As Your Excellency is aware, pilots of the Royal Air Force have strict orders to avoid flying over Swiss territory in pursuit of military objectives situated in Germany. I am therefore writing at once to point out to Your Excellency that in the view of the technical experts it is extremly difficult for even the best pilots to distinguish the northern frontier of Switzerland from the German or German-occupied territories adjoining if there is equal obscurity on both sides of the frontier, especially on long distance flights and in wintry weather.

As there can be no question of abandoning the pursuit of military objectives in Germany, you will appreciate that the risk of bombs being released in error over Swiss territory must necessarily be increased. I note from the terms of the Communiqué that the responsibility for incurring the risk is being deliberately assumed. I am informing my Government accordingly.

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