Hello

Well, you are the last way for me to find the answer to this question. I tried all the ways but no way I could figure it myself...

When and where did the Swiss Army fight its last foreign battle?

I won't blame you if you don't have the answer. It's almost impossible, I guess.

Thank you anyway

-Leo 007

I think this is the first time a post has come in from Israel! (Sorry if I am mistaken.)

Very interesting question. I am putting a call in for "Cordial Russ" to help out on this one.

Thank you I'm waiting forward...

the answer could be 13-Sep-1515 .. this is out of britannica.com

quote:

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In the early years of the 16th century France moved against Italy. At first the Swiss supported France, but they later formed an alliance with Italy. Armed encounters finally drove the French from the Po valley; nevertheless, victory was short-lived and French troops were soon encamped again, sheltered by the poplars of the Po. In September 1515 a dispirited and disunited Swiss force was decisively defeated on the fields of Marignano southeast of Milan, losing more than 8,000 men.

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which seems to be backed up by ..

quote:

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1515 Sep 13, King Francis of France defeated the Swiss army under Cardinal Matthias Schiner at Marignano, northern Italy. Switzerland was last involved in a war. French armies defeated the Swiss and Venetians at the Battle of Marignano and Milan fell to the French. Francis I conquered Lombardy in northern Italy.
members.theglobe.com/algis/countries/italy.html

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Geneva was attacked by Savoy in 1602, Napoleon invaded in 1798, there was a civil war in 1847 .. but nothing about a subsequent battle on foreign soil

Leonardo, we'll wait for Russ (he's our resident guru) to come in here and confirm how much of this is right, and btw welcome to FT!

Thanks I guess that's it, but it's too late for me

Anyway, it's good to see that there is a place such as this. Nice people, friendly moderators, and they are all willing to help! I'll visit here more for sure

Thanks again!

We look forward to your posts. Sorry we let you down on this one. If you had it for a class quiz or test, please share the answer.

Leonardo,

I have to congratulate gtho4 for his excellent answer. My research indicates that he is correct. I found the same reference that he quoted in the Swiss History section “From the Swiss Confederation to the Constitution of 1848" in the Encyclopedia Britannica. This battle was fought during the Valois-Habsburg Wars.

I also checked all European wars subsequent to 1515, namely, The Thirty Years’ War (1620 - 1648), the Napoleonic Wars (1797 - 1815), the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), WWI and WWII. I also noted the invasions as mentioned by gtho4, but none involved a foreign battle. The Swiss maintained neutrality throughout.

Also:
“Switzerland
“In 1515, the French defeated the Swiss at Marignano in Italy. The Swiss suffered great losses, and began to question their policy of expansion. Switzerland soon adopted a policy of neutrality, and has stayed out of foreign wars ever since.”
World Book Millenium 2000

So the references agree: The Swiss Army fought its last foreign battle at Marignano in northern Italy on September 13, 1515.

Again, great job gtho4!

Leonardo,

I prepared the above off-line and just now see that the answer is too late for you.

Sorry to have taken so long, but I've been out each of the last three evenings and not had time to work on this forum until now.

Try us again with another "impossible" question -- maybe we'll answer it in time.

Cordially,

Russ

Thank you anyway, guys You are so kind. Wish all the people in the web would be like that