‘Children Are to Be Regarded as Propaganda’: Contradictions of German Occupation Policies in the Child Evacuations to Switzerland, 1941–1942

During the first year of Nazi occupation in Belgium, German authorities consented to send thousands hungry children neutral Switzerland for three-month periods recuperation by means a Swiss-operated evacuation scheme. After officials Berlin learned these unusual evacuations, Belgium became embroiled defending and justifying their actions. This article argues that while such contradictions paradoxes policies epitomized leadership, both value agency – perception saving them unconventional weapons exploitation control.