CHINESE TRENCHING ACTIVITY IN THE DAMANSKY (CHEN-PAO) ISLAND AREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T04759A009700010063-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 4, 2011
• Sequence Number: 63
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/05/04 CIA-RDP78TO4759AO09700010063-2
Chinese Trenching Activity in i-he Damansky (Chen-pao)
Island Area
An analysis of Damansky (Chen-pao) Island, a site of Soviet and
Chinese confrontations along the Sino-Soviet border, was performed to
determine the amount of trenching activity that has occurred since
September 1969. The study shows that most of the main defensive trench
lines now present on the island and the adjacent shore line on the
Chinese side of the Ussuri River were also present in early September
1969.
The comparative
graphic was made 25X1
dated prior to and after representatives of the two governments met in
Peking This imagery reveals that two new cornmunications,25X1
access trenches, several firing bays, and a possible bunker have been
added to supplement the main defensive trenches present on the island in
September 1969. Additional defensive trenches and firing bays have also
been added to the existing trenches on the'Chinese side of the river.
individual firing bays are not shown on the accompanying graphic.
Most such bays were present in September but a small number are new on
the January imagery.
It appears that some of the trenches present in September may have
been improved or modified. This interpretation is qualified because
foliage present on the September imagery could obscure some of the defenses,
and the light snow cover and absence of foliage on the January imagery
could highlight the defenses.
It should be noted that the terrain of the entire area is flat and
evidently subject to periodic flooding. This would probably require
constant maintenance of defensive positions along this portion of the.
river.
The additional trenching, firing bays, and the modification of
existing trenches does indicate that the Chinese have been gradually
improving their defenses since September 1969.
16
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/05/04: CIA-RDP78TO4759AO09700010063-2