Скачать или смотреть Liechtenstein's Secret: They went to war and brought home a friend 🏔️

This is one of the kindest and most curious stories in military history. It took place during the Austro-Prussian-Italian War of 1866. At that time, the tiny principality of Liechtenstein was bound by a treaty of alliance with Austria.
​Here is a detailed breakdown of this legendary campaign.

​Context of the Conflict

When war broke out between Prussia and Austria, Liechtenstein found itself in a delicate situation. Prince Johann II did not want to fight against other Germans (the Prussians) but was obligated to provide a contingent in support of the Austrian Empire. To fulfill the formalities, the principality mobilized a tiny detachment of 80 volunteers.

​The "Combat" Mission

The army was sent to guard the Stelvio Pass on the border between Tyrol and Italy. Their main task was to ensure that Italian troops (allies of Prussia) did not invade Austrian territory through the mountains.

However, the reality of their service was far from the horrors of war:
​Absence of the enemy: No Italian forces ever appeared in the area.
​Idyll: The soldiers enjoyed stunning mountain views, fresh air, and local wine.
​Friendliness: According to memoirs, the Liechtensteiners felt more like tourists or a guard of honor than participants in a bloody conflict.

​The Mysterious "Plus One"

When the war ended with Austria's defeat, the detachment packed their things and headed home to Vaduz. To the surprise of the locals, a headcount revealed there were 81 of them. There are three main versions of who this "extra" person was:

​An Austrian liaison officer: The most likely version. He was an attached officer who became such good friends with the men during their service that he decided to visit them or stay in the principality.

​An Italian deserter: According to another version, it was an Italian soldier who was tired of the war and decided to defect to a quiet and peaceful country.

​A casual acquaintance: Simply a traveler or a local resident who tagged along with the cheerful group.

​Outcome and Historical Legacy

Upon their return, the army was welcomed as heroes. It was a unique case: 0 casualties, 0 wounded, and 1 gain.

​Fact: In 1868, two years after this incident, Liechtenstein officially disbanded its army, declaring permanent neutrality. The country's parliament decided that maintaining troops was too expensive and pointless. Since then, Liechtenstein has had no standing military (in case of an emergency, defense functions are handled by the police or through agreements with Switzerland).