Nuyt I have a particular fascination with the nature of the Swiss frontier ever since I saw THE GREAT ESCAPE I think. That's why I asked about the alleged crossing of the border ...
I have checked my information on GMCs and cannot see any known French orders for what appears to be a swb chassis, 4 x 4. However this is not definitive, and your suggestion is possible. However I would suggest myself that these were orders placed with GM Suisse and delivery was before mid-1940 after which the company complained that they could not get any supplies from the US.
It may be intersting to note that one or two ex-Antwerp GM managers ended up in Biel/Bienne for a time.
EDIT: I have just done a check on AXIS HISTORY FORUM and this is an abstracted quote from a Swiss correspondent:
Quote:
After 1935, a frantic activity began, but they still lacked in 1939.
Take a look at the equipment:
Tanks: 24 (chzechian tanks of the model Praga, ared with a 1inch gun)
Heavy Artillery: 286 (some dating back to 1882)
Anti Air Guns: 44 Total
Anti Tank guns: 823 (mainly 4.7cm caliber)
Figher Planes: 86 (Primarily Me109 D and E and Morane Saulniers)
To top it all of, the majority of the heavy equipment needed to bought in other countries, as switzerland itself lacked the raw materials and production facilities to produce them themself.
Doctrine:
In 1339 the mobilized swiss army took a line along the rivers Rhine and Limmat, with the left flank leaning against the french maginot line.
In secret negotiations, the french agreed to send 2 army corps and heavy artilleriy in support in the case the germance attacked switzerland.
After the fall of France, this all changed.
Switzerland was now largely surrounded and a frontier defense was not any longer possible.
In a move the was hotly discussed, General Guisan decided to pull back the majority of the army into the mountains in a "national reduit" to be built, which favored the infantry-heavy army.
Work begann in 1940, although many projects was not finished in 1945 (some bunkers were at that time still not equipped with guns).
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This figure of "24" tanks seems to be maintained by correspondents as being the same throughout the 1940-45 period. Also that the only Swiss-produced trucks were by Saurer. I think therefore that the photos and information found and posted here are of immense interest.