ARSENALS AND EXPLOSIVES PLANTS AT TAI-YUAN, COMMUNIST CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05439A000300020045-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 36
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 19, 2002
• Sequence Number: 45
• Publication Date: November 29, 1963
• Content Type: MF

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 Approved For Release 2003/01/24: CIA= RE)P78T-054 39M 0- 0- 0- 3- 0- 0- 0- 220 0- 4 5- -4
, MS/D
THROUGH Chief, Requirements Branch, Reconnaissance Group, CGS
FROM Chief, CIA/PID (NPIC)
SUBJECT Arsenals and Explosives Plants at Tai-yuan, Communist China
REFERENCES (1) ORR Requirement. No.
(2) CIA/PID Project No.
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1. This memorandum is forwarded in answer to the above referenced requirement
which concerns the arsenal complex at Tai-yuan, Communist China.
included in this report.
arsenal-type activity and having any indication of change since have been 25X1 D
2. An examination of all available collateral was made in an attempt to
arrive at a total of reported plants of this nature within the Tai-yuan area.
This was considered to be a prime prerequisite in order to complete this
analysis fore so many of these facilities are similar in appearance to the
normal light and heavy fabrication industries. In as much as the definition
of an arsenal is given as "a place for making or storing weapons and other
im,nitions" - in some cases it was difficult to differentiate between those
facilities reported in collateral, targeted, or appearing as arsenals on photo-
graphy, to be definitely identified.as such. It was also difficult to separate
some of these facilities from those actually engaged in production of this type
from those possibly producing other products for ether civilian or military
usage. So it is with this memorandum, all of the facilities at Tai-yuan falling
within the above range of identification showing any possible connection with
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PID/IB - 334/6-3
29 November 1963
Copy _/ of X
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Military-Scientific Division, ORR
5X1 AEI'TION
I a photo-mosaic of the complex
(See Figure 2), is provided herein to supplement Figure. 1 and to
index Figures 3-14.
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 SUBJECT: Arsenals and Explosives Plants at Tai-yuan, Communist China
4. This study involved many facilities and did not permit a detail analysis
of each one within the due date of the referenced requirement. As such, only
a general treatment of the complex was possible on each facility. Detail
analysis was limited only to the basic identification of the activity associated
with the facility. Where possible, those facilities reported as arsenals yet
having the appearance of heavy industry, were studied for the possibility of
identifying tell-tale evidence of ordnance-type production. The enclosed graphics,
tied closely to each plant description, have been provided herein to illustrate
graphically the major changes that have occurred, and to provide you with
complete coverage in the event you might need additional information. No correlation
could be made between these facilities and the installation numbers you provided
(i.e., installation numbers - 247,3!2, 743, 763). Description and analysis
concerning the Tai-yuan complex is as follows (each facility is treated seperately
as is indexed in an arbitrary crder as shown on Figure 2): .
a. Possible Munitions Production Plant (See Figure 3)
This plant is located approximately 5 nm NNW of the reference
point (RP) at 38 OlN - 112 34E (No Bombing Encyclopedia - BE No. could
be located). This facility appears to be engaged primarily in the
production of munition; i.e., the buildings tend to indicate activity
of a handling or loading nature, like shells etc. In addition, the
different type storage buildings and bunkers could be used for the storage
of different explosive component s, such as propellants, fuzes and/or
initiators. This plant appeared to be in mid-to-final stages of construction
25X1D ~ Many of the buildings were completed, but the final barricading,
as ob ve and.below ground steam and water service lines and inter-connecting
service roads were not completed. At that time the plant was probably not
25X1D operational-F- I revealed that the plant was complete
and probably fully operational - the barricading was completed; the steam
and water lines were completed and were buried, the trenches were covered;
and the inner service road and rail connections were completed and in use,
as evidenced by eleven box cars and a few vehicles.
b. Probable Ammunition Storage Area (See Figure 4) --located
approximately 5 nm NNE of the RP at 3 O1N - 112 34E (No BE number recorded).
This area is used strictly for storage, there are no production facilities
here. This is probably closely-associated with the above mentioned plant
having a single function of being used for storage and shippment of
completed product(s). Here too, the presence of different type structures
is probably indicative of a variety of items. This facility has not 25X1D
25X1D changed significantly other than its outward appearance. It
looked new as if it was in final stages of construction
25X1D showed vegetation growth throughout the facility and
the rail and road service points were more clearly defined.
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many of the buildings in theheastern portiondof1thecplant werecinsthection;
tfooting" stage of construction; and the test area was considerably ~;ffloro?+
e
g s o construction 1 and at that 25X1
-.time did not appear to be operational - the buildings were in various
stages of construction- "It
SUBJECT: Arsenals and Explosives Plants at Tai-Yuan, Communist China
c. Explosives Manufacturing Plant (See Figures
approximate) 5-7) - located
Y 3nm N of the RP at 37 59N - 112 32E (No BE number recorded).
This facility was in early-to-mid sta
f
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at least partially operational. The of ~Vuszruction and appeared to be
Y operational only ma.ior additions to the plant
includes - two newly completed barricaded storage buildings
in the upper northeast"corner; the completion and expansion of the test
area; and several completed processin
/
rod
i
g
p
uct
on buildings. Twenty-two
pieces of RR rolling stock were noted in the plant area, this included
17 tank cars and 5 open/flat cars. Other changes include: large quantities
of open storage along the north fence; the above and below ground steam
and water lines in the western section apear completed (Those in the
eastern section are still not completed) several buildings in the eastern
section have been completed, others are in various stages of construction;
and, the probable nitro-glycerine areas; located in the center of the plant
show some degree of completion. The western "nitro" line now appears complete
and the other two lines were in early-to-mid stages of construction.
Construction equipment is evident throughout to the test area (shown ghout the.plant area. The new
probably all associated with testing and ilot plant-type -t~Fegooperations is 25X16
and not production. The long linear test activity occupying oste
half of the test area, appears the he eastern
ppears to be two horizontal artillery test ranges.
d. Explosives Manufacturing Plant (See Figure 8)- located approximate)
3.5 nm SW of the RP at 37 53N - 1-12 29E (No BE number recorded). Y
This plant appears to be essentially the same in
There are a few minor changes within the plant p in t1ae 25X1D
Ullu
mediate surrounding area. A few sections of wall or b
arricading have
been added in the cent
f
er o
the handling/loading area. This plant is
Supposed to be Trnr~iiel-T rr -; -; +- .-.- _-_ _ I
. -~?1 J uuug ozner munitions.
There is also a slight difference in the vegetation growth
0 The plant does give the appearance of being active anu is probably
operational.
e. Explosives Manufacturing Plant (See Figure 9) - located in north
central Tai-yuan ar-or=natel-r a ,,,,, QQ6' -' ~~_ ,-.r, __ 1 -1
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SUBJECT: Arsenals and Explosives Plants at Tai-yuan, Communist China
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between the
iij2 A-M8TP5439A00030002004f
used in thi-s memorandum.
otography changes since
: 3 buildings were added in the NE corner; the storage area
north central section was expanded to include 18 storage
buildings and 3 miscellaneous buildings; and one processing building in
the northwest corner was removed. The plant y-nmen.rerl nccuried and active
buildings have been added in the northeast corner, and six others are 25X1D
under construction; 5 probable storage buildings have been added along
the west central fence line; the internal road system was greatly
improved; and the fence line was extended to include an area of new
construction in the northeast corner. This facility could be engaged
in explosive component loading and handling as well as metal machining
operations. 25X1 D
f. Explosives Plant and Storage Areas (See Figure 10) - located
approximately 3 nm southeast of RP at 3T 54N - 112 35E (No BE number reported).
This area is reported to be abandoned, however, it does appear active and
is probably operational. Most of the plant units are visible and there
cannot be eliminated. Changes in the plant area 25X1D
approximately 25 buildings have been added; the southwest fence line has
been extended; and the internal road system has become more clearly
defined. The storage area to the north of the plant appears to contain
several The storage area along,
the RR northwest of the plant is probably associated with it, and is probably
used primarily as a handling and shipping point. The annotated "possible
storage area" is inactive and probably abandoned.
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production. The possibility of shell producing or loading
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SUBJECT: Arsenals and Explosives Plants at Tai-yuan, Communist China
The facility is rather large and is capable of producing heavy
equipment. The plant looks active and it is probably operational. A
search of the plant proper did not reveal any unusual activity that
could possibly be associated with artill
ery, armor or related production.
25X1 D Very little change has been brought
one forge, one forge/foundry; The plant contains:
four 1 e mac ne fabrication buildings,
l! other machine/fabrication-type buildings, one large woodworking building
(probable crate plant), approximately 6 warehouses, 6 administration-
type buildings, and a steam plant with an associated gas-plant.
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of thi s t appear to be typical
ype activity. There were bins for ore/coal/scrap storage,
and also associated with it were probable castings. Several gantry
cranes are visible, two of which were in operation
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 Approved For Release
SUBJECT: Arsenals and Explosives Plants at Tai-yuan, Communist China
25X1A 5? The analyst assigned to this project was who
may be contacted directly on
sho you have
concerning this project. This memorandum and its accompanyinr questions
completes this requirement. b' graphics
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ENCLOSURES:
1 Annotated Map (CIA/PID/IB-P-763/63)
I
13 Annotated Photos (CIA/PID/IB-P-76+/63 thru. P.I
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SEE
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FIGURE 3. AI?TUTTITIONN: LOADIZ,-G FACILITY
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Prn B-P-331+/63
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PID/IB_P-334
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CTA/PID/IB.-P-769/63
FIGURE 7. TEST AREA NORTHEAST OF THE TAI-YUAN EXPLOSIVES PLANT (See Also Figure 6)
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HOUSING
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FIGURE 9. TAI-YUAN EXPLOSIVES PLAIT (Also Reported as an Arsenal)- Photo Comparisc_
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NEW FEN?E LINE
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CTA/PID/IB-P-771/63
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FIGURE 9. TAI-YUAN EXPLOSIVES PLANT (Also Reported as an Arsenal). Photo Comparison
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AND STORAGE AREAS
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POSS. EXP{~.DSIVES
- $?O AGE AREA
\EXPL- ?SIVES
STORAGE
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STEAM
a GAS
.Eh FOUNDRY
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PID/IB-P-331+/63
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1,11
MACHINE
SHOPS
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 - FIGURE 13. PROBABLE AMMUNITION
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STORAGE Aim
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F r-
N"
WAR?HOUSE
SECTION
STORAGE
AREA
BUNKER
STORAGE
SECTION
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FIGURE 13. PROBABLE AMMUNITION STORAGE AIM HA?`TDLI?dG AREAS
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