13TH FRONTIER GUARD BRIGADE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000600030107-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 1, 2011
• Sequence Number: 107
• Publication Date: October 31, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

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C G'i'! 'A!vbl
CENTRALINTELL'GENCE AGENCY
liNFORMATION REPORT
COUNTRY uzechos]ovakia
SUBJECT 13th krl;utier Guard Brigade
CLASSIFICATION S
my ev A _ y of
REPORT
CD NO.
DATE DISTR. 51 Oct
NO OF PAGES 7
NO. OF ENCLS. 2
t LISTED BELOW)
(A) z-pa Ics, ( )
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
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SECRET
13Th Frontier guard brigade
headquarters was located in a castle fee Enclosure (Ay in Pobeaovice, with the
final command in Prague. Personnel at headquarters consisted of 80 men includ-
in
g 404officers. The 13th Brigade received all its orders from the Prague
Ca-
his deputy was Gen Smoldas. The 13th Brigade ..- was `ou,marlaen by col nlavacka;
was s.
divided into ive battalions which were in turn each divided into five comanie
The 13th brigade was divided into the following five battalions given together
with their locations:
let Battalion, "Belsky" - located in Bela n. ttadbuaou
2nd Battalion, !Ptvonsky" - located in Pivon
3rd Battalion, "Trhanoveky" - located in Trhanov
4th Battalion, "Aoutahy" - located in Koutna (3ohm,eawald)
5th Battalion - located in hostoun. This battalion was a res.:rve battalion
and had no companies on the border.
Also under the command of the 13th Brigade wer, the following:
Non-cnmmisaioned Officers School located in Ujead u By Krisa
Military training camps located in Ceske.Nubice and in "Vyhledl (see
enclosures 1, point 12)
The battalions were broken :own into compmiiee as follows:
let Battalion - let through 5th Companies
2nd Battalion - 6th through 10th Companies
3rd Battalion - 11th through 15th Companie,
4th Battalion - through 20th Cos!panise
5th Battalion - this wee a reserve unit
The 2nd Battalion, as previously stated, had its headquarters in Pivon and was
divided into five oompanieo, the 6th through the 10th, which were located as
tollowss
0th Company - Rybnikv
7th Company - Aver Diana
8*h Cos+Ep - Padort
9th Conpa. - Horai. Grafenriod
-loth Compaq - Neaanice
Personnel at headquarters of the 2nd Comparr consisted of 60 man of whoa k5
were officers. The boundaries between th;,, area assigned to the 8th CoaYa y and
that aaeiansd to the 9th Cc,peny were narked by the border store number 13 and
those between the 9th Company and the 10th Company by the border :;tone number 21.
3aoh oaapany consisted of 55 man divided into four troops, three of which were
aaa_gned to watching the border, the fourth wing 1 tr cp of soldiers with dogs.
squi Gant of the 13th Frontier Guard Brigade was the followings
Rifles - Both Garman and Cseohoslovak make. The Gorman rifles were of an older model
than the Czechoslovak, which were quite new, but they were much better with
respect to precision in shooting.
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Submachine guns - Model CZ w
(CeskoslovenskaLbrojovka, hrno), year of production
1950, caliber 92, for 40 cartridges (usually loaded only with 32
cartridges). These were not too god with respect to precision
in shooting.
Light machine guns - Model CZ (Ceskoslovenska Zbrojovka, Czechoslovak Armanent
factory, Brno), pre-World War II production, caliber 7.92 mm, for 21
cartridges. Each Company ha3 three light machine guns with the
exception of the 9th which hod in addition one heavy machine gun.
Heavy machine guns - Model 34 CZ, barrel air-cooled, caliber 7.92, cartridges in a
steel belt with each belt containing 200.
Motor vehicles - Each Co,npamy was equipped with a passenger car "Skoda-Tudor" 'nd
one motorcycle "Jaws 250". The Battalion Command was equipped with
four trucks Model "Rn-Praga", 2.5 tons; four automobiles "Skoda-
Tudor"; and three motorcycles model "Jawa 250". (The identifica-
tion of these cars started with the letter "B"). The Brigade
Command was equipped with a number of automobiles model "Skoda-
Tudor" and trucks mode! "Rn-Praga", and had in addition one truck
"Tatra I11".
Radio*ansmitters - The Brigade Command and each battalion was equipped with a radio
transmitter and receiver. The care wore not equipped with radio
transmitters.
Horses - Each company had four to five riding horses.
Dogs - The 6th through the 10th Companies had the followings
6th - six dogs; one called "flux" was trained.
7th - three dogs, one of which, the bitch called "Cilka" was
trained. The name of another was "Donare but I do not
recall the name of the third.
8th - four dogs, two of which, 'Cedr" and "Caesar", were
trainee. The other two, 'Donar" and aJugos" were not
trained.
9th - four doge, one of which sAkorde, was trained.
10th -four dogs.
4. Each unit had its own ammunition depot which was located in the n)ma building in which jape
soldiers of the unit were accommodated. Each unit was requirsd to have c supply of
emrwition sufficient to: 24 hours of warfare, taking into consideration all arms needed
in case of an outbreak of war. Hand grenades as well as cartridges were stored in the
unit's emn'anition depot.
5. The battalion had a supply of ammunition sufficient for all its ccz pnntea or 24 hours
of Warfare, and the brigade also had a 24 hours supply for all its battalions. Am a
reralt, in case of an Una acted outbreak of war, a company had smda,aition sufficient for
three time 24 hours, or 72 ho-ura. depot of 6. ~The 'ch, which was confis ated and Pivon was
gymnaa~,located
f r soldiers former Front er
Guard.
7. The main health department was established at the Brigade Command in Pobssorice. Also,
each oattalion had its own avrgeon, and each company had sanitary equipment for first aid.
8. All men stationed with the Brigade Cc=&i and the Battalion Command belonged to the draft
years 1928, 1929 and 1930 (1 s, men born in 1928, 1929, 1930). All men belonging in the
draft year 1928 were called into the military service in October 1950. Those in the draft
year 1929-30 were called into the service, some in October 1950 and the remainder in
Oototar 1951, and are to be released on 1Nov 53. Those in the draft year 1928-29 are to
be released 1 Nov 52.
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9.. A member of the rrortier Guards was allowed to use his weapon in the border zone .ithout?
warning ana upon his own judgment. He could shoot to kill, however, only when the pros-
pective escapee was in the immedia+ .,e vicinity of the border. He must first endeavor to
take the person alive by arrest or by injuring him only. If a soldier of the Frontier
Guards unit succeeded in taking the would-be escapee either by arresting him, injuring
him or,even by killing him, all members of the soldier's unit are given a promotion and
a salary bonus.
10.. Mpyale in the Frontier Guards units was extre;nely poor. Everyone tried to make his
service ac easy as possible, Gary often it was discovered that soldiers slept while on
duty. Only very few soldiers perfor.,,ed their duties carefully. Officers were members
of the Communist Party. Some were however, hen of good character, and their relations
with the soldiers were good. The percentage of Communist Party members among the soldiers
was very small. very soldier perfor ed his duties only for fear that he would otherwise
be described as an "enemy of Czechoslovak People's Democracy" and as such arrested. Every
soldier had to pledge loyalty to the government. Desp.te that there were only very few
true Communists among the soldiers. Among the officers only very few could be described
as absolutely reliable.
11. Discipline in the Frontier Guards units was maintained well only during the training in
the barracks. Leave was obtained only by soldiers who distinguished themselves in some
way during the performance of their duties. For instance, the Brigade Command would
receive a report from STB (police) that somebody was expected to attempt an escape across
the border at a designated place. This report was accompanied by a description of the
would-be escapee, the kind of documents held by him, a notation whether or not he was
armed etc. After the receipt of such a report, the Commander of the Brigade would
immadiately visit the Frontier Guards unit located in the area where the escape was to be
made, and deliver an address to the soldiers of that unit. In his address the Commander
would point out first the importance of the Frontier Guards units, and then he would
promise a reward if the person should be apprehended and punishment if he should make hie
escape. As a reward the soldiers were promised promotions and a 10-day leave to any place
they wished to go with military transportation provided. This reward would be higher or
lower according to the value of the docum n is found on the person caught. Also, the
reward was higher in the event the person were taken alive. The Commander would then
continue with an evaluation of the dam,ega which would be done to the State should an
escape be made by a person such as described in the initial report.
12. A money reward of 10 thz+.sarxi Kos ur more web also given. This amount was fixed according ..
to the Importance of the person attempting to escape, the reason for escaping, the
value of the documents he was trying to take out of the country (is, could the loss of
such documents him the Communist rule of the country of inflict damage on the "toiling
masses"). Should a known es.apa plan ,.e s-acceszfml, t!ie soldiers were, on the other
hand, punished. The punishment consisted of a fine and a prison sentence. Stibjec.t to
punishment were all soldiers of the guard unit stationed in the border zone where the
escape was made. This punishment was made on the bas's of a report ''ov agerts of the
6TB (secret police) at the refugee carp whe.-e the escapee finally located hiaisel,f.
This report contained information sa to when and where the escapee crossed the border,
to whore he gave any information. about Czechoslovakia and what kind of information was given
asd xtth what success the escapee was working abbroaad against tbeedOseahselovaklan Onvern-
hee prison iMf~e&ef heep o ~Nhso
fu then promotion. 13.. Each rrontier Guards soldier received a pay of 300 Rob per ,,onth plus a 500 Kos "frontier
bonus?. If a soldier was punished for even the srallest offense, he was not eligible
for the "frontier bonus"j for this reason soldiers were subject to frequent punishment
because the Co:mrand wxe ralu;tant to grant the "bo;ras". Officers were paid according to
their rank and the kind of service performed. For example, it lieutenant in command of a
company received 5,000 Kee per month and 500 Sae "frontier 'onus": His deputy in the rank
of an elder reeeiVied '4,000 Kcs per month and a 500 Kea "frontier bonus". If the deputy
to the eonmander was a lieutenant in the compulsory military service, he reeoivea only
2,000 Kee per month and a 500 Kos "frontier bonus". A troop cc mandor in the rank of
private received LOO Kee and a 500.Kcs "frontier bonus".
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7J.1. Food for the Frertier Guards was f xed ar c^:ink to the norm (standard) "L" and was ood
in quality. The norm "Lu was granted only to the Air Force and to the Frontier Guards
units. In order to save :rat for the people the Uommander often ordered tha shooting
of game in the border zone for use in the military kitchen.
15. Political education was compulsory for the Frontier Guards units and was taught four hours
a week. When a soldier of the Frontier Guards fled the country, political education was
then taught daily. The subjects of the lectures varied but generally dealt with the
following: the Soviet Union, the Czechoslovak People's Army, the Marxist-Leninist doctrine,
the development of socialism in the Soviet Union, the imperialist army of the US, traitors
of Czechoslovakia in exile, etc.
16. Soldiers of the Czechoslovak Army are not satisfied with the present state of affairs
chiefly because they have too much work, little free time, severe punishments for the
slightest offenses, and continuous political education.
17. The Union of Czechoslovak Youth (SCN.) follows a policy similar to that of the Czechoslovak
Communist Party. Its task is to appeal to young people, to organize them in the simplest
possible way such as by forming voluntary brigades, encouraging h' r efforts and better
discipline of work in industrial plants, etc. Recently SCM promoted a
campaign in the Frontier Guards units in order to encourage so ern to voluntarily
extend their service in the Frontier Guardo (beyond the compulsory period of service),
to enter SNB (police) and STB (secret police) units. Despite great efforts of the SCM
agents only a few members of the Frontier Guards units signed up.
18. Persons can move freely in the border zone only if the- are equipped with identification
cards verified by the District National Committee (ONV) and if they have their residence
in the border zone. If a person living outside the border zone wants to visit so.,eone
residing in th3 zone, he ::ust have a special permit. This permit is issued by the Command
of the 13th Frontier Guard Brigade on the advice of the security officer of the District
National Committee in the district of the applicant's residence and of the security officer
of the District National Committee (ONV) of the Frontier Guard Zone for which application
is made. The permit contains its own number, the number of the identification card, the
date of issuance, the time of its validity and the border zone for which it is valid. A
person equipped with such a permit is permitted to move freely in the border cone but only
on the highways and during the day.
19. Horner duty was set up according to a special timetable. One-third of the soldiers were
on duty during the day and the other two-thirds during the night. The duty timetable was
posted each day at 1800 hours and was valid .ntil 1800 hours the following day. With
this system in foroe, no soldier knew in advance where he would be on duty. If a soldier
escaped the country, the location of all Frontier Guards sentries as well as the passwords
within the whole brigade were chenged within one hour. The frontier guards patrolled
the border scale and the "forbidden zone". In the course of this duty they performed the
control of documents on the highways and the railroads. They also patrolled the whole
border it. theit respective sections is the observation towea,s, which were not, however,
occupied at all tires.
20. In the case of an erergercy, so-called demonstration details and hidden dot-kilo were used.
Demonstration guards stood c'.uty so thi.t they were visible from a long dietance. Thus,
the would-be saoapee, seeing the demcns+.ration detail, would await its departure and then
be trapped by the hid-ten detail. Many people were caught by this ;method.
2 3,, In spite of precaution taken, many escapes were made. ronsequent1y, the Command of the
.'.Frontier Ouards units 9600 in Prague arranged a contest for suggestions as to the beet
and cheapest mechanical security equimment which would klert the guard units to an attempted
escape. Awards were made for the two best suggestions. One o: those alarm equipments
suggested is already in operation (see Enclosure (B)). The second was being pre tared.
Such equipment was installed at one place in the border none of the 8th and 9th ~ompaniea.
Four of these alarm equipments have been installed at this place. Following is a descrip-
tion of this equip,renti The equipment it installed in a clearance along the Corder.
Obstacles made of barbed wire are b.i1t and observation towers established to enable the
guards to watch that particular section. The main observation tower is equipped with a
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map of the C6r., -ry' l.;rclc area, un this map are electric bulbs which light up if a
-border crosser touches the alarm equipment - green if the border crosser is leaving
the country and rest if he is entering i:he country. Two wires are stretched between the
barbed-wire obstacles which, if touched
will sho
,
w on the map in the observation tower
the exact spot where the crossing was made. When the alas has been set off by this
equipment, emergency guard units are promptly dispatched to the area. The wires are
covered with a material which reeells aamp_
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S CRE'
23. STB (secret police) was divided into several groups:
(a) Civi_
lia_n STB - (internal becurity )f the State which is further divided into
industrial and prison groups (STL agents in prisons).
(b) Uniformed 3TB - the membmra wear uniforu:e similar to those of the aft (regular
police) but with red trim. (SNB uniforms with blue trim are
worn by traffic and order policemen)
(c) Milita~3T8 - members of DQZ (intelligence).
ENCLOSURE SA)t The 13th PS 'igade Fotasovic6 with legend
(B)t The Signal harm equipment wit`i i.egon4
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ENCLOSURE (A)
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1. State border line.
2. Command of the 13th Frontier Guard Brigade in Pobezovice, a former castle.
3. Command of the 2nd Battalion in Pivon. Soldiers and officers are accommodated in
the village.
4. Command of the 7th Corat)any, "Dour (farm) Diana". Soldiers and officers are accorrunod-
ated in a former farm.
5. Command of the Sth Company, "Padorf". Soldiers are accommodated in a former school.
6. Command of the 9th Company, "Grafenried". Soldiers are accommodated in a former
brewery.
6a. The building of the Com::.and of the 9th co:apany is in a former family house.
7. Command of the 10th Company, "Nemanice". Soldiers are accommodated in a former hotel.
8. Command of the 11th Company, "Capartice".
9. CorLnand of the Non-commission Officers' School for Frontier Guard Units (PS) in Ujezd
Sv. Krize. This School is in a former castle.
10. Command of the 6th Company, "Rybniky". Soldiers are a::conmodated in the village in the
vicinity of the church.
11. Command of the 1st Battalion.
12. Command of the 5th Battalion of the Reserve Corps "dostoun". The accommodation
facilities for the soldL rs are in the village.
13. Training ground for newly enrolled soldiers of the Frontier Guards units "Na Vyhledech"
The accommodation facilities are in a former hotel.
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THE SIGNAL ALARM EQUIPMENT
Lcgind
`. Lower baud made of hard wood, 350 z 250 mm and 20 asp thick.
2 Vu
sm
bard, We of hard wood, 550 x 250 me and 30 am thick.
? Slap for opening and closing both boards in a certain angle.
gtriiper, a steal stick pointed on the and.
5- Tbs eats+y stiflk, made of hard wood, about 5 mm thick and 100 as long.
5. A rocket cartridge, which when shot off makes a shower of white
oa'tz'idgs of a rocket pistol). sparks (Regular
7. A e the rocket.
A wire fixed at the safety stick which leads into the field.
In the appsr board a rocket oartrid s is located. The
angle that the safety stick can be ens~ put at its plac ace. e. b Bch ard in
ends of the at coos is
are ramid so that the stink can easily be put out of its place. The length of the safety
upper board and the angle of the opened boards are made In such a
wt' that by =Moving the safe* stick the rocket emplodss The
of its plan if a person stumbles over the wire which is fixed to the tick and tthhe other
ot
end of ahioh is faxed to the sarfase. This equipment no tested with an groslient result.
rO