Corporate History 1941 - 1950

 

previous 1931 - 1940

 

1941 In 1941, the Department of the Economy orders the expansion of agricultural land in line with the Wahlen Plan (self-sufficiency obligation for non-agricultural sections of the population). Between 1942 and 1946, Swiss Re helps finance the community planting project in Einsiedeln-Iberg and, on the basis of a questionnaire, grants holiday to active plant cultivators, allowing them to carry out agricultural work.
 
 
1942 In conjunction with a foundation set up to effect transport assignments, the Marine department of Swiss Re organises sea voyages on behalf of the Red Cross during the Second World War. In this way the company enables prisoners of war camps throughout the world to receive Red Cross supplies

The company is again of great help in actively mediating for prisoners of war in co-operation with the Red Cross.
  		Caritas I, Red Cross Ship
 
  The Swiss Federal Council assigns Swiss Re the task of handling the technical administration of the 'Federal War Insurance' which covers imported and exported goods against war risks. The principal is the Confederation. The policies are written by over a hundred agencies of Swiss Marine insurers. The liabilities incurred during the war total over 21 billion Swiss francs and more than 10,000 claims are paid.
 
  Erwin Hürlimann, who joined the company in 1904, succeeds Charles Simon as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He remains in the service of Swiss Re for over 60 years, 16 of them as Chairman. After his retirement in 1958 he is appointed Honorary Chairman.
 
 
1945 Despite the war, the company’s world-wide connections are maintained almost without exception thanks to Switzerland’s political neutrality and good relations.
Hardly a treaty is lost, apart from in Eastern Europe; on the contrary, business expands from year to year. This can be taken as ready proof of the immense international confidence placed in Switzerland in general and Swiss Re in particular.
 

  		On 25 April 1945, 13 days before the end of the war, Americans and Russians shake hands near Thorgau on the river Elbe.
 

  		Penicillin, discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 and mentioned for the first time in publications a year later, is put into practical use in medicine for the first time during the Second World War.
 
 
1946 Economic relations with the countries of Eastern Europe played a major role before the war. They now prove to be increasingly difficult. In Asia and Africa almost 100 independent nations are set up. Many countries come under the effect of new social systems, which calls for a reorientation of business relations.
 

  		The hope of securing world peace and international co-operation in politics, economy and culture receives new fuel. On 26 June 1945, the United Nations Charter is signed in San Francisco by 51 states. In January/February 1946 the first General Assembly is held in Westminster, London.
 
  Office
  		Swiss Re reacts to the political upheavals and the persisting triumph of technology with a rapid expansion of its world-wide presence.
 

  		On 19 September 1946, Sir Winston Churchill, figurehead of British resistance during the Second World War, visits Zurich. In a legendary speech on the Münsterhof he urges the proclamation of a Council of Europe.
 
 
1948 Swiss Re Corporation, an advisory company, is established in New York. Activities overseas do not prevent the company’s further expansion and intensification of business relations in Europe. In West Germany especially, the Swiss Re Group is able to gain markets shares in insurance in addition to those in reinsurance.
 
 
1950 On 10 November 1950, the Swiss-South African Reinsurance Company in Johannesburg is founded. The new company operates in both Life and Non-Life reinsurance.
 
Zebra 

 

previous 1931 - 1940

 

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