Saving the “hospital city of Tegernsee”

The Tegernsee Valley narrowly escaped a US bombing raid in May 1945. The courageous intervention of a Swiss consul and humanitarian protection by the Red Cross averted a catastrophe—including for the Bräustüberl.

Towards the end of World War II, the Tegernsee Valley was threatened by catastrophe: 20,000 wounded, numerous evacuees, and civilians found themselves caught between German troops and the advancing Americans. Thanks to the Swiss Vice Consul Dr. Paul Frei, who risked his life to mediate, and the protection of the Red Cross – visible at the Ducal Palace and throughout Tegernsee – the valley was saved from a planned air raid. Today, hardly anyone at the convivial gathering in the Bräustüberl remembers that Tegernsee was almost destroyed back then.

In the picture: This is how the pilots of the American reconnaissance aircraft, who were supposed to scout bombing targets in the valley as "pathfinders," saw it: Tegernsee, a single hospital under the sign of the Red Cross.

Illustration: Museum Tegernseer Tal / Photo: Thomas Plettenberg

Bräustüberl Newspaper 9 (2005)