Switzerland Accidentally Invades Liechtenstein

[thomryng]

This story in the New York Times actually made me cackle with glee:

What began as a routine training exercise almost ended in an embarrassing diplomatic incident after a company of Swiss soldiers got lost at night and marched into neighboring Liechtenstein. ...

Interior ministry spokesman Markus Amman said nobody in Liechtenstein had even noticed the soldiers, who were carrying assault rifles but no ammunition. ''It's not like they stormed over here with attack helicopters or something,'' he said.

Comments

[garpu.livejournal.com]

Has Switzerland actually invaded anyone?

[thomryng.livejournal.com]

Do you mean, has Switzerland ever invaded someone?

Because back in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Swiss were all about war. Sure, maybe they themselves never technically invaded anyone on their own account, but they certainly did it for others on account.

I think that should, er, count for something.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_mercenaries

[garpu.livejournal.com]

Oh right, I forgot they were the Halliburton of their time. I'm talking of their own account.

[thomryng.livejournal.com]

I hardly think it's fair to compare the Swiss Mercenaries with Halliburton. After all, the Swiss actually fought...

[garpu.livejournal.com]

Owowowow. Rice up my nose at that oen.

[thomryng.livejournal.com]

Glad to help brighten your day. :)

[thomryng.livejournal.com]

Well, it looks like they were at war as recently as 1515:

The Swiss victory in a war against the Swabian League in 1499 amounted to de facto independence from the Holy Roman Empire. ... The expansion of the federation and the reputation of invincibility acquired during the earlier wars suffered a first setback in 1515 with the Swiss defeat in the Battle of Marignano.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Switzerland

[queen-in-autumn.livejournal.com]

This really is funny -- but also great that Liechtenstein isn't getting all bent out of shape about it.

Would that all our 'invasions' were like this one.