A group of 25 people in German World War II Wehrmacht uniforms complete with Nazi swastikas have been stopped by stunned Swiss police in the Alps.
And despite the Nazis having never invaded the country, the men claimed that they were doing a historical reenactment.
Deborah Zaugg, media spokesperson for the Bern cantonal police, said: "The group consisted of around 25 people from various European countries and the United States."
One unnamed hiker who observed the group told local media that the group had gathered at the small Hasenweide campsite near the Simmen Falls in Lenk.
Picture shows the uniform with swastika symbol, undated. A group of 25 men in Wehrmacht uniforms were stopped by the Bernese cantonal police after crossing the Wildhorn massif. Note: Private photo. (CEN)
The first to arrive at the campsite was a camper van from Denmark, on 15th July.
The hiker said: "The man had a moustache and a historical cotton cap."
He added that the Dane appeared to be with his family, adding: "The Dane was the chief."
The next day, vehicles arrived from various countries, including Switzerland.
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The hiker said that clothes and objects were exchanged in secret for a long time, saying: "The men stood in front of their cars."
Inside were large suitcases, the contents of which were being negotiated between the group, according to reports.
The hiker said: "The men were careful to conceal the goods well."
He suspects that collector's items were being exchanged.
Swiss media, without naming the group, said they described themselves as "apolitical" on their US-based website.
The group's members reportedly come from the United States and several European countries and have been active since 2009.
Picture shows German Soldbuch, undated. A group of 25 men in Wehrmacht uniforms were stopped by the Bernese cantonal police after crossing the Wildhorn massif. Note: Private photo. (CEN)
The website's design also suggests that the men intend to reenact Wehrmacht mountain divisions, Swiss media reported.
One of the participants also describes it as a hobby and "living history."
He continued: "We don't pretend to represent the mountain troops of the 1930s."
Rather, he says it is about experiencing high-altitude climbing like back then, with the same equipment, the same environment, and the same alpine challenges.
Picture shows one of the participants on the project website wearing a replica uniform, undated. A group of 25 men in Wehrmacht uniforms were stopped by the Bernese cantonal police after crossing the Wildhorn massif. Note: Private photo. (CEN)
He wanted to "get a better picture of the specific climbing conditions".
Zaugg said that the group was ordered to remove all the Nazi symbols on their uniforms in a bid to avoid sparking violence with third parties.
Wearing Nazi paraphernalia is not currently illegal in Switzerland, so the group were not charged with any crimes, although the cops did take down their details.