Well, that’s a catchy headline I just had to click on when I saw it this morning.
I don’t know why but this has got me giggling.
The mouse that squeaked
“Accidentally” my ass! This is just the prelude to another blitzkrieg…mark my words. The Swiss Hordes will come pouring over the mountain passes any day now.
The Swiss have an army? Who knew.
Oh, they always say it’s an accident. That’s the same excuse the Germans used when they invaded Poland.
You know…it’s called a “Swiss Army Knife” for a reason.
Touche
Umm, the Swiss are an army.
Just because they’re neutral, doesn’t mean they have no army. I think they have a national service type dealy - everyone in a certain age bracket goes to training and can potentially be called up to serve.
I like the fact that they were carrying assault rifles – but no ammunition. In a fight between the Swiss and the Japanese, who would win?
Hey, don’t knock it. Personally, I think that’s the best way to conduct an invasion. You wander in, look around, enjoy the day, wander back out. And I bet it didn’t cost any $3B, either.
Good thing we left-ponders are protected by an ocean! I’ll call Halifax to be on the lookout for the Swiss Navy, just in case.
Those filthy Neutrals!
You can’t trust em.
With an enemy, you know where you stand.
But the sneakiness of Neutrals makes them too unscrutable to turn your back on…
In fact, having a good army is pretty much a requirement for being neutral.
Until the 1815 Congress of Vienna, mercenaries were Switzerland’s largest external source of revenue and commanded a premium for their services. Eventually the Hessians and others emulated their style and methods of tactics. The modern Swiss armed forces (Army and Air Force–being landlocked, Switzerland has no need for a Navy) are buffered by the reservists who are comprised by the bulk of the adult, able-bodied male population (and some females). The Swiss have participated in a handful of peacekeeping operations abroad and provide security for the Vatican but primarily exist to protect Switzerland from attack. Permanent fortifications, tank traps, sapper plants, et cetera exist to make invading Switzerland a costly victory for even the most heavily armed force.
Don’t mess with the Swiss. It’s not all chocolate and cuckoo clocks.
Stranger
I was surprised to hear our tour guide point out some mountainsides and tell us that some of them hide the entrances to where tanks and weapons are kept at the ready in case of invasion.
I think that “Swiss Accidentally Invade Liechtenstein” has to be the early front runner for Headline of the Year.
It’s obviously a response to Liechtenstein’s aggressive expansionist policy.
I have also heard that many of the road tunnels in Switzerland have explosives installed in them, ready to blow in the event of an invasion.
The Swiss have a Navy? Who knew?