In Switzerland, the rank of general exists only in times of war. As supreme commander of the Swiss army only when general mobilization is declared, the general embodies national unity in the face of danger. Since the birth of the federal state, only a dozen men have held this exceptional role—twelve men tasked, in often dramatic circumstances, with defending the country's neutrality and independence.
The 12 commanders-in-chief of the Swiss Army from Marignan to 1939
- Le Général de HehensaxFirst commander-in-chief of the Swiss army. (16th century)
- Le Général d’Erlach-Castelen. Second commander-in-chief of the Swiss army. (17th century)
- Le Général de Muralt. Third commander-in-chief of the Swiss army. (18th century)
- Le Général Charles-Louis d’Erlach. Fourth commander-in-chief of the Swiss army. (18th century)
- Le Général de Watteville. Fifth commander-in-chief of the Swiss Army. (19th century)
- Le Général de Bachmann. Sixth commander-in-chief of the Swiss Army. (19th century)
- Le Général Guiguer de Prangins. Seventh commander-in-chief of the Swiss Army (19th century)
- Le Général de Donatz. Eighth commander-in-chief of the Swiss Army. (19th century)
- Le Général Dufour. Ninth commander-in-chief of the Swiss Army. (19th century)
- Le Général Herzog. Tenth commander-in-chief of the Swiss Army. (19th century)
- Le Général Wille. Eleventh commander-in-chief of the Swiss Army. (20th century)
- Le Général Guisan. Twelfth commander-in-chief of the Swiss Army. (20th century)