The bloody battle caused Switzerland not to participate in war for 500 years 0
The bloody battle caused Switzerland to become a neutral country
The Swiss Army today
Switzerland has practiced a policy of neutrality for five centuries, even during world wars.
The reason why a country with a battle-hardened army and famous for its strategy of taking the enemy as few as possible, like Switzerland, persistently pursuing a neutral policy stems from the great battle with France at Marignano in the final stages of the War of the Alliance.
Before the Battle of Marignano, the Swiss had had a series of victories, capturing much of northern Italy, including Milan, a key stronghold for the French.
The French army, under the command of King Francis, decided to surprise Switzerland by undertaking a dangerous march through the passes of the Alps and into the plains around Milan.
Some 22,000 Swiss troops faced nearly 40,000 French troops, including fearsome German mercenaries, cavalry and artillery.
Before the battle, King Francis arranged dozens of field guns along the front line in the center of the formation, while the cavalry spread out on the flanks.
The Swiss infantry is famous for its fighting ability and high discipline.
The Swiss attacked just before sunset, so quickly that the French artillery had difficulty opening fire on the oncoming infantry.
These two armies were competitors for the title of best fighting force in Europe.
The next day, the battle took place similarly.
The French army fired into the middle of the Swiss army’s tightly organized tank column.
The battle was inconclusive until France’s Venetian allies joined the fight.
Heavy enemy artillery fire, cavalry attacks and grueling fighting cost the Swiss dearly.
Painting depicting the bloody battle at Marignano.
The Battle of Marignano ended with a peace treaty between Switzerland and France.
This provision was persistently enforced by both sides until the French Revolution, when French soldiers invaded Switzerland.
Over five centuries, Switzerland’s neutral stance has become increasingly firm with laws enacted to prohibit its citizens from participating in wars abroad.
`Switzerland is a rare example of a deeply neutral country with the ability to stay away from war for centuries,` said historian William Mclaughlin.
