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Minister Defends Police After Shootout With Bundeswehr During Bavaria Drill

Prosecutors are investigating a communication failure after police say the Feldjäger initially denied the reported sighting was part of the exercise.

Overview

  • Police and Bundeswehr personnel exchanged fire in Altenerding on the evening of October 22, leaving a Feldjäger soldier lightly injured during the public "Marshal Power" exercise.
  • Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said officers had called the responsible Feldjägerregiment, which initially stated the armed sighting was not part of the drill, leading police to treat it as a real threat.
  • The Bundeswehr says it reviewed and intensified communication, set up a citizen hotline, and maintained a near-constant line with police; the exercise was briefly paused, then resumed and concluded.
  • The Staatsanwaltschaft Landshut is examining the sequence of communications and the circumstances of the misidentification, with the Bundeswehr pledging full support for the probe.
  • Local and political fallout continues as the Greens demand a detailed Landtag report on November 12 and Erding officials criticize the lack of specific advance information, despite a drill involving about 500 soldiers and 300 civilian responders in public areas.