GROUND FORCES ACTIVITY NINGSIA-HUI AUTONOMOUS REGION LAN-CHOU MILITARY REGION CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05162A000400010104-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 14, 2011
• Sequence Number: 104
• Publication Date: October 1, 1975
• Content Type: REPORT

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NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
PHOTOGRAPHIC
I NTERPRETATION
REPORT
GROUND FORCES ACTIVITY
NINGSIA-HUI AUTONOMOUS REGION
LAN-CHOU MILITARY REGION
CHINA
OCTOc~BER 1975
Copy 21
PI R-038/75
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Warning Notice
Sensitive Intelligence Sources and Methods Involved
NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions
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Top Secret RUFF
GROUND FORCE ACTIVITY,
NINGSIA-HUI AUTONOMOUS REGION,
LAN-CHOU MILITARY REGION,
CHINA
1. This report contains imagery-derived information which shows increased ground force
activity occurring in Ningsia-hui Autonomous Region of Lan-thou Military Region. This activity
consisted of improvements to existing defensive areas, the construction of major ground force
installations, and order-of-battle deployments. This report contains a table, a snap, and three
photographs.
2. There has been a steady increase in ground force activity in Ningsia-hui Autonomous Region
since 1971. A new infantry division was identified in the north and central sections of the region,
and a probable internal defense division was identified in the Yin-chuan area. This activity, combined
with the upgrading of three defensive areas in the Ho-lan Shan (mountains), significantly improves
defensive capabilities in the Huang Ho (river) valley. Construction of the installations housing the
infantry divisions spanned the time period July 1971 to April 1974, indicating a gradual and continuing
ground force deployment program is under way. This military activity suggests the presence of a
yet unlocated army-level headquarters.
3. A new infantry division deployed at the northern tip of the Ho-lan Shan, 25 nautical miles
(nm) north of Yin-chuan, was identified in October 1974. Military activity within this area was
identified initially in October 1972 when defensive positions were observed under construction. Since
then, the defensive areas have been expanded and seven new installations have been identified in
various stages of construction. When complete, the installations will be capable of accommodating
three infantry regiments, an artillery regiment, an artillery battalion, an AAA gun battalion, and
associated divisional headquarters support elements. These installations complement and support the
expanded defensive areas which guard northern entrances to the mountains. These defensive areas
now contain on-site support facilities, firing ranges, obstacle courses, antitank ditches, artillery positions
sited at cave entrances, personnel trenching, and automatic weapon positions. One of the three
battalion areas of the artillery regiment at Shih-tsui-shan Barracks Area 3 is shown in Figure 2 and
portions of one of the defensive areas are shown in Figure 3.
4. A new infantry division was identified in May 1974 deployed along the southern bank
of the Huang Ho approximately 60 rim south of Yin-chuan. Ground force deployment to this area
was first identified in January 1972 when elements of an artillery regiment were identified at Chin-chi
Army Barracks AL 2. Since then, this barracks has been expanded to accommodate a full artillery
regiment, and three new installations have been constructed capable of accommodating three infantry
regiments, an AAA gun battalion, and associated divisional headquarters support elements. One of
the regimental barracks areas, Ho-chia-pao Army Barracks, is shown in Figure 4.
5. A possible internal defense division, headquartered in Yin-chuan, was deployed in the central
portion of the region. The division, consisting of three internal defense regiments and an artillery
battalion, was in the Yin-chuan, Wu-kung, and Pai-li-ching areas. Although all the areas are probably
occupied, only the installations in the Pai-li-ching and Yin-chuan areas reflect military activity. The
installations at Pai-li-thing were initially identified under construction in October 1972 and have now
been expanded to accommodate an internal defense regiment and an artillery battalion. The defensive
positions, which guard a southwestern pass through the mountains, were also improved to include
artillery positions sited at cave entrances, AAA gun positions, antitank ditches, personnel trenching.
and automatic weapon positions.
6. Table 1 lists each ground force installation, its BE number and coordinates, its type/size,
a basic description, latest order-of-battle, and remarks.
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MAPS OR CHARTS
ACIC. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheets 0383-3,4,8,9,13, and 18, scale 1:200,000
REQUIREMENT
Project 120901NG
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