In September 1939 German and Soviet troops invaded Poland. The German invasion came a couple of weeks before the Soviet one, and the French government reacted by declaring war (for which the country was not militarily well prepared). Eight months after that Germany invaded France. The Italian government , leaving Switzerland surrounded by nations at war. The resulting political and economic pressures were relentless and intense. During the tense pre-war uncertainties, between 9 and 12 May 1939, Jean Goudal's francophone adaptation of his anti-fascist drama "Dreikampf" was performed at the , renamed in this version with the thought-provoking title "Moloch". On 4 November 1939 Cäsar von Arx had another stage premiere with a show for the latest "Berner Oberland Spiel". The music came from Paul Burkhard, still at the at the early stages of his career as a composer.