Berlin - In the end the epaulettes and peaked cap served him him no more.

Police in Berlin said Wednesday that they have arrested a 63-year old man accused of dressing up as a Major-General of the German Bundeswehr (military) in order to avail of free transport on the country's railways.

The Walter Mitty type was nabbed in the luxury lounge of Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) in Berlin's main train station, in the get-up of the third-highest rank in the army. He was in possession of a false army identity card and a false authorization for free travel.

The make-believe military man was not reported to have been in possession of a weapon.

The man, not named for legal reasons, said he had been able to travel from his home in Frankfurt am Main to Berlin, and had made other tours throughout the country.

Police said they would charge him with misuse of titles and insignia, as well as fraudulently obtaining services.

In his defence the man said that he had a "fondness" for the army. (dpa)