Liechtenstein’s army once returned from war with more men than it left with.

Battle of Königgrätz, 1866

With a population of 40,000 people living in an area of just 62 square miles, the doubly landlocked microstate of Liechtenstein isn’t exactly a global superpower. It hasn’t had an army since 1868, though the formal disbandment of its armed forces was preceded by an impressive feat: returning home from war with more people than it left with.

The conflict in question was the Austro-Prussian War, also known as the Seven Weeks’ War, which began in June 1866. Liechtenstein sent 80 soldiers to support the Austrian side, dispatching them to the Brenner Pass between Austria and Italy, where they essentially served as guards and saw no real action.

All 80 people returned, as did an 81st. His identity remains a matter of debate more than 150 years later, with some suggesting he was “a new Italian ‘friend’” and others believing he was an Austrian liaison officer. In any case, Liechtenstein dissolved its armed forces shortly after, perhaps because it knew there was no way of topping its recent victory, and the country has maintained neutrality ever since.

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Did you know?

Switzerland once accidentally invaded Liechtenstein.

Liechtenstein enjoys friendly relations with Austria and Switzerland, the two countries that surround it, even after the Swiss accidentally invaded the microstate. The incident occurred in 2007, when about 170 infantry troops wandered more than a mile past the unmarked border without realizing it — an error that likely would have caused more issues at a less friendly border. The soldiers were armed with assault rifles but no ammunition, and turned back upon realizing their mistake. Liechtenstein was understanding, and decided not to retaliate with its famous military might against its neutral neighbors.