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Police operation at Pfände: Suspicious hiking group causes alarm
Police operation at Pfände: Suspicious hiking group with Reich war flag causes alarm. Investigations are ongoing.
Police operation at Pfände: Suspicious hiking group causes alarm
The Pfände, a popular viewing point on eastern Lake Constance, was the scene of a police operation on August 19, 2025, which was triggered by a five-person hiking group. The group was spotted as suspicious by a hiker after one member carried a flag with what appeared to be Nazi symbolism. This flag, which was later identified as the Reich War Flag of the German Empire, caught the attention of the passer-by, who immediately informed the police and took a photo of the group. Due to the situation, the police launched an extensive manhunt that included several patrol cars and a police helicopter Schwäbische.de reported.
The Reich War Flag, which was originally used by the Navy and was the general war flag of the German armed forces until 1921, is generally not considered punishable in Austria and Germany as long as it is not displayed in a specific context. However, it should be noted that in some situations displaying the flag can be punished as an administrative offense. In contrast, the Third Reich's war flag, which was introduced in 1935 and features a swastika, is banned in both countries.
Police operation and investigations
The large police presence at Pfände included not only patrol cars, but also special forces. Eyewitnesses reported police in balaclavas being concerned about the situation. The operation was stopped at around 1:30 p.m. without any criminal offense being detected. Nevertheless, investigations into the identity of the hiking group are ongoing, whose origins remain unclear.
A possible context of the flag could also include a provocative intention, which could allude to the “annexation” of Austria to Germany in 1938. In this context, Vorarlberg is known for being a stronghold for right-wing extremist activities, with regular meetings of the scene in the border triangle, which further put the police on alert.
The Pfaender itself is not only important as a place where the events take place. At a height of 1,062 meters, it is a popular excursion destination, which is served by a cable car and several restaurants. It offers visitors a spectacular view of Lake Constance and attracts numerous hikers every year.