Henri Guisan in 1939 at army headquarters in Interlaken, shortly after being promoted to the rank of general. (Keystone/Photopress)
Keystone
Greeting uniformed children in the mountain village of Engelberg, 1943. (Keystone/Photopress)
Keystone
Guisan is elected commander-in-chief of the armed forces by parliament on August 30, 1939. (Keystone/Photopress)
Keystone
Getting a first-hand look at the western Swiss border, October 1944. (Keystone/Photopress)
Keystone
Together with government minister Karl Kobelt (r) at a football match in Bern between Switzerland and Germany on April 20, 1941. The Swiss won, 2-1. The Germans at their sides give the Nazi salute. (RDB)
RDB
The general speaks with a girl dressed as an angel during a Christmas celebration for soldiers on December 24, 1943. (Keystone/Photopress)
Keystone
On July 25, 1940, Guisan summons all high-ranking Swiss officers to the Rütli Meadow, considered the birthplace of the country. Here he orders the defence of Switzerland, now surrounded by the Axis powers. (RDB)
RDB
Guisan gives his autograph to a girl during the traditional shooting competition held on the Rütli Meadow, 1939. (Keystone/Photopress)
swissinfo.ch
Guisan is given a ceremonial send off from the army in front of parliament on August 19 1945. (Keystone/Photopress)
RDB
Portraits of Guisan hung in many public buildings, like this bar in Chardonnay, canton Vaud. (Keystone/Photopress)
RDB
The retired general fishing from the Lake Geneva shore, 1954. (Keystone/Photopress)
Keystone
An early photo of the future army leader showing off his horse-riding skills, 1902. (Keystone/Photopress)
Keystone
Guisan (with cigarette) during a stay in Wildbad, Germany, 1891. (Keystone/Photopress)
Keystone
Guisan's casket is carried by soldiers to the cemetery in Pully near Lausanne. He died on April 7, 1960. (Keystone/Photopress)
Keystone
The funeral procession was attended by 300,000 people - making it the largest funeral in Swiss history. (Keystone/Photopress)
Keystone
Switzerland commemorates its Second World War commander-in-chief.
General Henri Guisan (1874-1960) personified Swiss resistance during the war. The charismatic general was revered by the Swiss population, and would become a larger-than-life figure. (photo editor: Christoph Balsiger, swissinfo.ch)
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.