When the Swiss Army Goes Rogue

The neighboring countries of Switzerland and Liechtenstein have had quite a bit of interesting history.

Howdy! It’s Joey, back with more Fun Fact Friyay. Before we dive in…

I’m often not big on New Year’s resolutions, but I have made it a goal to read more frequently in 2025. It goes hand in hand with my goal to finish writing at least another book if not two. These editing sessions are fun!

Some books you actually can read right now are the Zeke Archer Basketball Trilogy from Craig Leener. I met Craig many years ago through my podcast, and we’ve remained pals ever since. His writing style is approachable and easily pulls you into the world that he’s created. I read the first book in this series, This Was Never About Basketball, in one sitting, which is about as rare for me as a lunar eclipse is for Earth.

The books blend sci-fi, coming-of-age, and thriller, with a touch of basketball for good measure. If you’re a fan of this newsletter (I hope you are and aren’t just hanging on to humor me), I think you’ll enjoy Craig’s books, too. Check ‘em out here.

Now, onto the fact!

A picture I took in Lucerne, Switzerland. Look at those pretty mountains!

Switzerland, a famously neutral country, has accidentally attacked its neighbor Liechtenstein multiple times.

The very first issue of Fun Fact Friyay featured Switzerland’s law about needing to own multiple guinea pigs so they can have a friend. It’s only fitting, then, that the first post of the new year returns to the Swiss Alps.

Specifically, we’re heading to Switzerland’s border with Liechtenstein, which appears to be incredibly easy for the army to cross.

I visited Switzerland in 2023—I was going to say last year, but that’s no longer accurate, whoops!—and debated trying to get to Liechtenstein on that same trip. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. The Swiss neighbor is not very large; the entire municipality is only 23 kilometers long, and the only distinction around the border is a footbridge.

Had I tried a little harder, I may have been like the Swiss army, which has accidentally found itself in Liechtenstein. Perhaps the most egregious mistake was in 1985. The Swiss were conducting a lesson on ground-to-air missiles when members of the artillery sent a group of rockets into Liechtenstein, causing a massive forest fire.

The Swiss blamed it on heavy winds—my go-to excuse when I screw up a Frisbee throw—and paid many million francs in recompense.

The army has also accidentally popped into the city of Triesenberg under captain’s orders. Both the commanders and the soldiers mistakenly believed they were still in Switzerland until some Liechtenstein residents questioned why they were there.

As recently as 2007, approximately 170 armed troops lumbered into Liechtenstein. They didn’t get far before a local reportedly yelled out, “Hey, das isch nöd d Schwiiz” (or “Hey, this isn’t Switzerland!”) and presumably, the army backed away like that gif of Homer Simpson into the bushes.

To be fair, it was dark and stormy, and it can be hard to tell exactly where you are in such situations. Both countries seemed nonplussed about the whole thing.

“It’s not like they stormed over here with attack helicopters or something,” said Markus Amman, an interior ministry spokesman.

So, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are still on good terms, with the former appointing an ambassador to the latter and doing tasks that would be difficult for Liechtenstein to do on its own.

These situations are a good reminder for us all: If you accidentally end up somewhere you shouldn’t be, just gracefully bow your head, apologize, and get the heck out of there—or offer to help.