How a Tiny Country’s Army Accidentally Mastered the Art of Making Friends
In 1866, the microscopic European nation of Liechtenstein sent its entire army of 80 men to guard a mountain pass during the Austro-Prussian War. Now, these weren't exactly the kind of soldiers who would be intimidating anyone. They were more like a heavily armed hiking club with matching uniforms. The Liechtenstein forces were deployed to guard the Brenner Pass between Austria and Italy, where there was "really nothing to do but sit looking at the mountains, drink wine and beer, smoke a pipe and take it easy", or some unofficial communication along those words. Basically, they got the cushiest military assignment ... [keep reading...]