Switzerland World War II, 1945 (b/w photo)

Shortly before the end of the Second World War in April 1945, the Department for Foreign Interests of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs is preparing at the St. Margrethen border crossing for departure to Zell am See in the federal state of Salzburg, Austria. The preparations for the trip, including goods and equipment for three months, are being carried out in great haste, as one would like to avoid a possible cut-off by advancing Allied troops at Lake Constance. In the coming weeks, Swiss diplomats will have the task of mediating between Germany and other warring states in the care and exchange of prisoners