DEFENSIVE GROUND ACTIVITY NORTHEAST CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010045-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 2, 2011
• Sequence Number: 45
• Publication Date: March 1, 1971
• Content Type: REPORT

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NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION
REPORT
DEFENSIVE GROUND ACTIVITY
NORiNEAST CHINA
~OP'SE~RE~
MARCH 1971
COPY N0~.1.7
10 PAGES
PIR-006/71
GROUP I: EXCLUDED FROM
AUTOMATIC DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
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ABSTRACT
1. This report describes 13 selected areas in northeastern China which have shown
evidence of defensive ground force activity during the past 18 months. Eleven of the areas
are in Inner Mongolia and two are in Hopeh Province. All are within 300 nautical miles of
the Sino-Soviet border. The report contains a description of each of the areas, a
table summarizing the activity observed, a location map, and four photographs.
INTRODUCTION
2. Ground force activity has taken place at 13 selected areas within 300 nautical miles
(nm) of the Sino-Soviet border in northeastern China during the past 18 months. The
examination of photography was limited to that area north of China's central industrial
area (Figure 1). All the activity observed was apparently defensive. In eight of the areas the
activity consisted of construction of caves, personnel trenches, and vehicle revetments. In
the other areas the defensive activity consisted of movement of ground force weapons into
these areas. All the areas were located in hilly or mountainous terrain. Table 1 (with area
numbers keyed to Figure 1) presents a summary and a location of the activity observed.
BASIC DESCRIPTION
Pai-yun-o-po Defensive Area NNE (Area 1)
3. This area is 4 nm north-northeast of Pai-yun-o-po and approximately 45 nm south of
the Mongolian border. It consists of numerous areas of activity scattered over an
approximately 5-square-nm area. These areas of activity contained extensive trenching and
numerous revetments as well as track activity and some buildings under construction. At
least 90 tents and 15 caves were observed in July and August 1970. This area is near Pai-yun-
o-po Mining Areas, the largest coal mining complex in the region. This complex is served by
the only rail line leading north from the Pao-tou Complex
Ku-yang Military Activity (Area 2)
4. Ku-yang is approximately 100 nm south of the Mongolian border and supports Ku-
yang Mining Complex which is served by a rail spur from the Pai-yun-o-po
to Pao-tou rail line. Six assault guns were observed at Ku-yang Army Barracks AL 5 C
in June 1970 and were still present in September 1970. No tanks were observed
here in June or September, although three were seen in April. Ground force weapons were
first observed in the area in September 1969 when 18 AAA pieces were noted immediately
north of Ku-yang. In November 1969 tanks and field-artiller (FA) feces were observed for
the first time at Ku-yang Army Barracks AL 1 ,and the AAA pieces
observed in September 1969 were also present. In April 1970, five SU-76 assault guns and
three tanks were observed at Ku-yang Army Barracks AL 5
5. Ground force activity in the hilly terrain 4 nm north of Ku-yang at 41-05-30N 110-03-
OOE was observed on the first high-
resolution photography oft a area. This activity included trenching on the hillsides and the
construction of numerous vehicle revetments. At least 60 tents, nine FA pieces, and 12 AAA
pieces were observed; nine small support/storage buildings were under construction. This
area was in a very early stage of development in October 1969; increased development was
observed in June 1970.
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FIGURE 1. DEFENSIVE GROUNDACTIVITY, NORTHEAST CHINA (AREAS KEYED TO TABLE 1)
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Table 1. Data on Defensive Ground Force Activity, Northeast China
(Areas Keyed to Figure 1)
Area
Coordinates
Location
Activity Observed
Latest High-Reso
High Totals-Vehicles & Equipment
lution Coverage
4
41-01N 113-06E
5
6
41-57N 113-13E
42-20N 113-OOE
7
42-04N 113-45E
8
41-55N 115-14E
9
40-59N 114-30E
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5-sq-nm area
4nmNNEof
Pai-yun-o-po
3 nm west of
Ku-yang
4 nm south of
Wu-chuan
5.- by 5-nm area
1 nm SW of Chi-
ning (Figure 2)
2-sq-nm area
2.3 nm north
of Ko-hua-ssu-tai
(Figures 3 and 4)
9nmSEof
Chu-jih-ho
2-sq-nm area
16 nm NNW of
Hu a-te
2.5-sq-nm area
2.5nmNNWof
Tai-pu-ssu-chi
17- by 2-nm area
20 nm NNW of
Chang-chi a-kou
1 nm SSW of
Feng-ning
6.5 nm around
Lin-hsi
~ nm NW of
Po-ko-tu
(Figure 5)
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Trenches, vehicle revetments,
track activity, caves, and tents
Caves, trenches, weapons
positions, barracks construc-
tion, vehicle revetments, and
tents
Trenches, cave-like excava-
tions, vehicle revetments, and
probable personnel tents
Trenches, caves, AAA and FA
positions, vehicle revetments,
and at least 70 personnel
tents
Caves, trenches, vehicle
revetments, and at least 15
tents
Approximately 100 personnel
tents in Oct 1969; area
appeared abandoned in July 1970
Trenches, vehicle revetments,
and cave construction
Trenches, revetments, possible
FA positions, and at least
45 tents
Trenches, vehicle revetments,
AAA and FA positions, and
tent camps
At least one probable artillery
regiment. Armor has been seen
east and northeast of the town.
Trenches, vehicles and vehicle
revetments, AAA sites, and
assault guns
FA pieces observed in this area
for first time (Aug 70)
FA and AAA observed in this
area for first time (Aug 70)
9 FA pieces (Aug 70), 6 SU-76
assault guns (Jun 70), 3 prob
130mm field guns and 18 T-54-
type tanks (Nov 69), 18 AAA
pieces (Sep 69)
None
9 FA and 6 possible FA pieces
(Jun 70), 12 AAA pieces
(Nov 69)
6 T-54 tanks 6 nm SW of
Ko-hua-ssu-tai (Apr 70)
12 FA pieces, ten 160mm mortars,
and 20 probable 37mm AAA pieces
(Oct 70); 106 cargo trucks and at
least 3 tanks (Jan 70)
2 SU-76 assault guns, 34 37mm
AAA pieces, 58 cargo trucks, and
3_ van trucks (Oct 70)
18 FA pieces (Aug 70)
6 FA pieces, 11 possible 37mm
AAA pieces, and 16 cargo
trucks (Aug 70)
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Wu-chuan Defensive Area South (Area 3)
6. This area is 4 nm south of Wu-chuan and approximately 115 nm south of the
Mongolian border in the northern Shan-mo Mountains. Extensive trenching, probable
weapons positions, new cave-like excavations, vehicle revetments, and probable personnel
tents were observed throughout the area in July 1970. Defensive activity in this area was
not evident on photography of November 1968. Cave construction was first observed in
February 1969; trenching was first observed along the mountain tops and ridges in March
1970. This defensive area apparently fortifies the only direct mountain pass and good road
which connects Wu-chuan and Hu-ho-hao-te.
Chi-Wing Defensive Area SW (Area 4)
7. This area is immediately southwest of Chi-Wing and approximately 160 nm south of
the Mongolian border. It covers a 5- by 5-nm area in the hilly terrain between the two rail
lines leading south and west from Chi-Wing, a major urban area on the Pang-pei to Chi-ping
rail line, the only rail line in China that enters Mongolia. The first high-resolution
photography of this area was in November 1969 when only a small section of the defensive
area was covered. Personnel tents, occupied AAA positions, and the start of trenching and
vehicle revetments were observed (Figure 2). Photography again covered
only a small section of the-total area. However, extensive trenching was evident throughout
the hilly terrain; six unoccupied AAA positions were observed; and nine FA pieces and six
possible FA pieces were noted in the immediate vicinity, ten of which were parked in
revetments. Photography of July 1970 covered the entire area. At least 70 personnel tents
and at least 85 vehicle revetments could be counted but, because of small-scale
photography and poor ground resolution, ground order-of-battle equipment was not
discernible.
Ko-hua-ssu-tai Defensive Area North (Area 5)
8. This area is 2.3 nm north of Ko-hua-ssu-tai and approximately 115 nm south of the
Mongolian border. An increase in activity was observed in this area between March and
July 1970 (Figure 4). In July, trenching was evident throughout the hilly terrain, and
vehicle revetments and at least 15 tents were observed for the first time. Cave
construction and the amount of track activity leading into and throughout the area had also
increased. Ground forces activity in this area was low in February 1969 (Figure 3); only a
few old cave excavations were observed. Activity appeared to increase in October 1969 when
roads to the area were more evident and several new caves were under construction. No
change was apparent in March 1970.
Chu-ji h-ho Defensive Area SSE (Area 6)
9. This area is 9 nm southeast of Chu-jih-ho and approximately 60 nm south of the
Mongolian border. It appeared to be abandoned in July 1970, but on earlier photography
(October 1969), seven tent camps, numerous caves, and at least 100 personnel tents were
scattered throughout the area. The reason for abandoning this site is not known but it could
be reoccupied in the event of hostile action.
Hua-te Defensive Area NNW (Area 7)
10. This area is 16 nm north-northwest of Hua-te and approximately 115 nm southeast
of the Mongolian border. Photography of July 1970 showed a 2-square-nm area that
contained extensive trenching and vehicle revetments. New caves, possible FA positions,
five personnel tents, and unidentified equipment were also observed. Earlier, in February
1969, only a few caves were observed. The first noticeable increase in activity was in
October 1969 when new caves and some trenches were being dug and a few personnel tents
were seen.
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Tai-pu-ssu-chi Defensive Area NNW (Area 8)
11. This area is approximately 2.5 nm north-northwest of Tai-pu-ssu-chi and
approximately 150 nm south of the Mongolian border. A defensive area of approximately
2.5 square nm was oi~served on photography of July 1970. Extensive trenching was observed
in the hillsides and numerous vehicle revetments, possible FA positions, and at least 45
tents were dispersed throughout the area.
Chang-this-kou Defensive Area NNW (Area 9)
12. This area is 20 nm north-northwest of Chang-chia-kou and approximately 220 nm
south of the Mongolian border. The defensive activity covered a 17- by 2-nm area along a
large escarpment. Extensive trenching and numerous AAA sites and FA positions were
observed along this escarpment in July 1970; numerous vehicle revetments were dispersed
throughout the area. Several small tent camps were also observed. No noticeable activity
was observed in November 1968. The first evidence of new activity was in October 1969
when some ground scarring and track activity were seen.
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Feng-Wing Military Activity (Area 10)
13. Feng-ping is approximately 80 nm north of Peking and 250 nm southeast of the
Mongolian border. Artillery and armor were first seen within 6.5 nm of Feng-Wing on
photography of January 1970, and artillery was seen again in April and August 1970. The
areas covered in April and August did not include the area where the armor had first been
observed. High-resolution coverage of October 1970 showed extensive trenching, 137 vehicle
revetments, 106 vehicles, 12 FA pieces, ten 160mm mortars, and twenty 37mm AAA pieces
for the first time. This concentration of vehicles and equipment suggests that at least one
probable artillery regiment is deployed in the Feng-Wing area.
Lin-hsi Military Activity (Area 1 1)
14. Lin-hsi is approximately 155 nm southeast of the Mongolian border. It is one of the
largest towns in this remote area and is on a major transportation route connecting this area
with the central industrial region of north China. The first evidence of ground force activity
around the town of Lin-hsi was in August 1970. Photography of October 1970 indicated
military activity in a 3.5-nm radius around Lin-hsi. Two occupied and seven unoccupied
AAA sites, vehicle revetments, and adits were observed in the hilly terrain around the town;
thirty-four 37mm AAA pieces were noted in several areas and 61 wheeled vehicles were
seen. Seven of these wheeled vehicles were at Lin-hsi Army Barracks AL 1
Two SU-76 assault guns were parked in a secured area in the center of town. These guns
were also present in August.
Wu-Ian-hao-te Military Activity (Area 12)
15. Wu-lan-hao-te is approximately 98 nm east of the Mongolian border on a rail line
that terminates 20 nm east of the border of A-erh-shan. This rail line runs southeast from
Wu-lan-hao-te to the town of Pai-cheng where one of China's most extensive weapons test
ranges is located. Eighteen FA pieces were observed for the first time on the southwest edge
of town on photography of August 1970, but were not present in October 1970.
Po-ko-tu Military Activity (Area 13)
16. This area is 5nm northwest of Po-ko-tu and approximately 175nm east of Man-chou-
li. Po-ko-tu is on one of the few rail lines which cross the Greater Kningan Mountains and
on one of the two rail lines that connect China and the Soviet Union. The first high-
resolution coverage of the Po-ko-tu area (August 1970) revealed ground force activity in
three small areas approximately 5nm northwest of town (Figure 5). Six FA pieces, 11
possible 37mm AAA pieces, and 16 cargo trucks were observed. At least 13 personnel tents
and 22 probable barracks (one of which was under construction) were also observed in the
three areas.
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REFERENCE DATA (Continued)
ACIC. USAF Pilotage Chart, Sheets F-8C, F-9A, and F-9D, scale 1:500,000
ACIC. USAF Tactical Pilotage Chart, Sheet E-8C, scale 1:500,000
REQUIREMENT
NPIC/IEG/EGD/CNKB Project 111111ND
- 10-
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