Switzerland is in a unique position in Europe. It is landlocked and
bordered by three major potential players in an all-out war. In addition to
its neutrality, which can in no way guarantee protection against invasion
(eg the Netherlands in WW2), there are many practical reasons why this
small country can provide shelter and safety from armed conflict even if
the country was to be invaded.
It has a small army, but highly qualified
The Swiss army is composed of 21,000 active employees and another 150,000
in reserve. National service is compulsory for all able-bodied citizens
male, which makes almost all men in the country with a level of combat
training base and the ability to use a gun. At 35, you are part of the
reserve and the government issued assault rifle given to you. The idea
behind your assault rifle being so easily accessible is the scenario where,
in case of civil war each soldier becomes almost immediately, making it
very fast and efficient mobilization.
The Stgw 57. Although longer in production or used by the army assault
rifle that is largely privately owned.
An armed population
Possession of weapons is extremely high. Unlike most other European
countries, the Swiss government encourages a crowded army and requires
active staff to store their assault rifles at home and, until 2008, same
store live ammunition. More than 600 000 citizens belong to shooting clubs,
including children.
The population of Switzerland is around 8.2 million of the 2.7 million are
men aged between 15 and 64. With 3.4 million firearms for what makes an
awesome force to an invading army to face.
However, with globalism and cancer that spreads to every corner of the
planet, gun rights are eroded and limits are implemented slowly. In just 20
years, the militia from 600 000 to less than 200 000. Every time there is a
shooting, the topic resurfaced and there is a certain reflex reaction that
want a total ban on weapons fire. With weapons so deeply rooted in the
Swiss culture, each referendum failed so far, but small changes were made.
That said, crime is very low and the high number of firearms does not match
the number of homicides, as the left likes to claim.
Natural boundaries
Geography
The entire southern border is composed of the mountain range of the Alps,
with most of the highest peaks concentrated in this region and forming the
natural divide between Switzerland and Italy. An invading army would simply
not be able to get through this formidable obstacle with heavily armed
supporters on each edge of the cliff.
Yes, Napoleon marched his great army and the St. Bernard, but there was no
opposition to impede his progress.
The Northwest border is also protected by the mountains, much smaller but
still a logistical headache for an invader. Along the North and East, you
have the Rhine and Lake Constance, thus leaving very little flat entry. The
only realistic road and around Geneva and basal, but even these are quite
narrow and the invaders would bottleneck. Monumental efforts would be
needed to navigate through the mountain passes or across large rivers and
lakes.
camouflaged bunkers like this are sprinkled all through the mountains
Finally, a well-equipped army and determined probably violate the border
combination of full frontal attacks in urban areas mentioned above and
amphibious assault across the Rhine. It is only the beginning but as the
Swiss militia and regulars retire to their natural defenses, trying to
flush out will be short almost impossible to give up nuclear weapons.
This would eventually take to the guerrilla war that could last for years.
It is unlikely that the occupants can be expelled and defeated without some
kind of foreign intervention based on the belligerents involved. For
example, Italy and Austria would not stand a chance to invade even
primarily because of the Alps. France and Germany also have a difficult
time, but would probably be able to invade and maintain at least a part of
the country.
Each nation is unlikely invasion, although the EU could become tyrannical
and mount an invasion. Russia would be a distant second and I see no other
foreign powers capable of reaching Switzerland to invade.
A well built infrastructure benefits
There are enough nuclear fallout bunkers to house the entire population.
Regulations since 1963 made it mandatory for every new building to have
these shelters
If Switzerland is alone and just war is taking place outside its borders,
but involves nuclear weapons, the great mountains offer good protection
against these strikes. Large cities are the main targets of nuclear
attacks, so if we look at what the nearest cities of Switzerland, this can
help determine where the safest place would be.
If we assume the worst and 50 megaton warhead was dropped, Paris, Berlin
and London are far enough away to escape all of the explosion and even the
thermal radiation. Therefore, the safest places are the towns and villages
directly behind the deep mountains in alpine regions, far from the borders,
mainly the regions of South and Central.
Conclusion
Entering Switzerland is now very easy because it is a part of Schengen and
you can literally cross the border with rarely checks at crossing points
that are actually inhabited. For those who think that total war is simply
not going to happen, do not be surprised when it does, especially with the
polarization that we are currently seeing. At best, there will be armed
insurgencies across Europe, which will be most of the time isolated, but
numerous and could easily escalate. The worst case of nuclear bombs upgrade
the continent. Anyway I predict most survivors will gather in Switzerland.
Read more: 10 reasons why Switzerland can be the best country in the world
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