225TH DETACHED SKI BATTALION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000600020086-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 2, 2002
• Sequence Number: 86
• Publication Date: April 16, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

ApprogtoSEK tl@Rsg l 7dA@ 1AzRRF ~ g 000600020086-1
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
COUNTRY USSR
SUBJECT 225th Detached Ski Battalion
5X1 A ACQUIRED
ACQUIRED
DATE OF I
Apr 52
NO. OF PAGES
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
L5X1X
1. The detached 225th Ski Battalion was formed in 1941 at
Kazan (5545N-4908E) in the first military camps which were
under the 30th Reserve Ski Brigade. The battalion was very
similar to an artillary battalion but did not serve the same
purpose. It consisted of one mortar and two artillary com-
panies. Each company had three platoons, subdivided into
three detachments. The battalion seldom functioned as a
whole unit. Usually it was broken up into small, separate
detachments, each having its own assignment, such as scouting
and diversionary tactics.
2. Ski troops wore a dark green suit of ribbed material. The
trousers were quilted and had elastic straps at the bottom.
The jacket had a brown, goat-skin collar and was fastened
by criss-crossing a ribbon over buttons sewed on the front.
The cap was partly knitted and had ear flaps of goat-skin.
Leather ski boots with felt tops (Polupeksami), woolen gloves
and woolen underwear completed the equipment.
3. Enlisted personnel were equipped with sub-machine guns,
officers with pistols. While on a mission, various types
of hand grenades were used in addition to regular- arms.
The food of the ski battalion was usually good and of high
caloric content. When they were sent on a mission, detach-
ments took along chocolate, biscuit, sausage, canned food,
pork fat and vodka or some other alcoholic beverage.
CLASSIFICATION SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION
DISTRIBUTION
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP80-00809A000600020086-1