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It is at this point that King Leopold of Belgium took a part. In Peter Forbath's words, Leopold was:
"A tall, imposing man ... enjoying a reputation for hedonistic sensuality, cunning intelligence (his father once described him as subtle and sly as a fox), overweening ambition, and personal ruthlessness. He was, nevertheless, an extremely minor monarch in the realpolitik of the times, ruling a totally insignificant nation, a nation in fact that had come into existence barely four decades before and lived under the constant threat of losing its precarious independence to the great European powers around it. He was a figure who, one might have had every reason to expect, would devote himself to maintaining his country's strict neutrality, avoiding giving offence to any of his powerful neighbours, and indulging his keenly developed tastes for the pleasures of the flesh, rather than one who would make a profound impact on history. Yet, in the most astonishing and improbable way imaginable, he managed virtually single-handedly to upset the balance of power in Africa and usher in the terrible age of European colonialism on the black continent."
The Swiss don't fight anybody else's war. When was the last time they ever had to fight in first place? A few brush ups with Axis and Allied forces? That's it?Swiss Army is probably the world's most powerful mercenary army.
He said Probably..The Swiss don't fight anybody else's war. When was the last time they ever had to fight in first place? A few brush ups with Axis and Allied forces? That's it?,If WW2 had not happened, Switzerland might not even have had to need a military.
Historically the Austrians have been the foes of the Swiss. That William Tell business was part of that.The Swiss don't fight anybody else's war. When was the last time they ever had to fight in first place? A few brush ups with Axis and Allied forces? That's it?
If WW2 had not happened, Switzerland might not even have had to need a military.
Swiss Guards or Schweizergarde are the Swiss soldiers who have served as bodyguards, ceremonial guards, and palace guards at foreign European courts since the late 15th century. They have had a high reputation for discipline, as well as loyalty to their employers. Apart from household and guard units, regular Swiss mercenary regiments have served as line troops in various armies; notably those of France, Spain and Naples up to the 19th century. In contemporary usage, the name Swiss Guards generally refers to the Pontifical Swiss Guard of Vatican City.
Various units of Swiss Guards existed for hundreds of years. The earliest such unit was the Swiss Hundred Guard (Cent Suisses) at the French court (1497 – 1830). This small force was complemented in 1567 by a Swiss Guards regiment. The Papal Swiss Guard now in the Vatican City State was founded in 1506 and is the only Swiss Guard that still exists. In the 18th century several other Swiss Guards existed for periods in various European courts.
The institution reflects the situation of Switzerland at the time. Unlike the present, Switzerland was a poor country whose young men often sought their fortunes abroad.
I meant they are probably the most powerful militia. In Swiss Army only about 5% of them are regular army personnel. The rest are just militia. The line is quite a blur between militia and mercenary.The Swiss don't fight anybody else's war. When was the last time they ever had to fight in first place? A few brush ups with Axis and Allied forces? That's it?
If WW2 had not happened, Switzerland might not even have had to need a military.
I cant say the word mercenary for them as they have no Military training from Military, But tango themselves, there are Serbian and Russian Mercenary though..Also will the Arab and Chechen fighters in different locations like Afghanistan,Caucuses come under mercenary category ?