Elephant Free

In 218 BC the elephant reached the height of its fame when Hannibal crossed the Alps at the head of an army which included 37 elephants. But the difficulties of the terrain and the climate proved too hard for the bulky-bodied elephants and many of them perished on the way. Nevertheless, Hannibal's military genius and Carthaginian fortitude triumphed in the end. When the Roman General Publius Cornelius Scipio (BC 185-129) invaded Carthage and defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama in BC 202, the Carthaginians found their elephants to be more a liability than an asset.

Some historians feel that these elephants were African bush elephants, and others say they were North African elephants, and still others feel they must have been Indian elephants, while one of Hannibal's elephants was known as "Sarus," which means "the Syrian." This elephant was very large and was the outstanding animal in the elephant battle squadron.

'Apparently the "feel good" elephant movement of the moment has scared the Swiss, who are historically noted for looking out a peep hole at any world skirmish. Not wanting any heat, and to be on the safe side, they seem to be distancing themselves from Hannibal. They don't want that "it's too cold for the elephants fight on their door step." :) Given their "trepidation" at getting involved with anything, you have to wonder why they got into bed with the Nazi's and their stolen war booty?'