Winkelried, Arnold von, << VIHNG kuhl `reet,` AHR nawlt fuhn >>, is the legendary national hero of Switzerland. He was supposed to have brought victory to the Swiss in the battle of Sempach against the Austrians in 1386. According to legend, the Swiss were beginning to retreat when Winkelried, a Swiss soldier, dashed boldly into the Austrian ranks and seized with his bare hands as many enemy spears as he could reach. As he fell, pierced by the spears, he created a gap in the Austrian ranks. The Swiss rushed through the opening, and won the battle in hand-to-hand fighting.
