MILITARY INFORMATION FROM RATHENOW

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A000700210006-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 13, 2002
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: February 26, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

_ , Approved For Release 2402/07
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?`a1iY a z` _.~REPORT NO_
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EVALUATION
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DATE OF CONTEN~f
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REFERENCES-
PAGES
REMARKS,
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ENCLOSURES (No. & TYPE)
LATE PREPARED
1~ On 24 January 1953, the Kraftfahrer Kaserne on Semliner Stra.sse, Rathenow,, was
occupied by about 1,000 troops wearing red-bordered black epaulets with
artillery insignia.., From 12 to 24-January, driving school training and
maintenance work in the workshops was observed. Small groups of soldiers
received instruction on commander's telescopes,, aiming circles and compasses,
or practiced throwing of hand grenades and fi,-ld wire laying in the vicinity
of the installation,, 25X1 C
2,., On 24 January, the Pionier Kaserne on Iaudolf Breitscheid Strasse was occupied
by about 800 troops wearing red-bordered black epaulets with artillery insignia.
From 12 to 24 January, about 15 x 122-mm field howitzers and about 14 x 120-mm
mortars were seen in open sheds, Instruction on the 122-mm howitzers, including
aiming practice in the terrain, was observed, Source had. the impression that
training activities were performed rather laxly. All troops observed were
trained soldiers. No recruits arrived after the troops returned from the
summer training. Small arms firing was observed at the firing ranges in Semli.n
Heath., An open wooden shed containing 35 boxes was being constructed in the
northeast corner of the installation The shed was about 60 mAters lar r and
3.5 to 4 meters hi h0
On 24 January, the Infanterie Kaserne on Nordbahnhof (railroad station) was
occupied. by about 700 to 750 troops wearing red-bordered black epaulets with
artillery insignia? From 12 to 24 January, training with the 120-mm mortars
which were sheltered in the Pionier Kaserne, was observed. No sheds or
garages for the sheltering of heavy weapons were available in the Infanterie
Kaserne.
From 12 to 24 Januarys the former officers' billets between Infanterie Kaserne
and Pionier Kaserne were occupied by officers and uniformed women. Source
estimeated the number of officers and uniformed women stationed at F.athenow at
500 to 600.
5. On 8 January, a staff conference was hold in the headquarters building of the
Ziethen Kaserne on Bahnhof Strasse, The conference began at 9:30 a.mo and ended
at 4 p,m0; was presided by General Shamarov (phonetic spelling) (fnu), and
CLASSIFICATION SECRET)
,..-...PLACE OBTAINED
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SECRET;
Frogs 20 to 28 January, the Infanterie Kaserne was occupied to capacity by
about 2,000 troops wearing red bordered black epaulets with artillery inns:i4 nia
The barracks buildings were fully lighted after nightfall. tfbout 300 trop ;
who source believed were recruits were seen marching in the barracks yard,,
Beginning 10 January, 10 to 15 trucks, occupied by 2 to 4 soldiers each, were
almost daily. seen leaving the installation. Source expressed the belief that
these vehicles were driving school trucks. F- I
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From 20 to 28 January. the Pionier Kaserne was occupied to capacity by
about 2,500 troops wearing red-bordered black epaulets wi'.h artilley
insignia. The barracks buildings were fully lighted at dusk, On 22 January*
.9 tr cks, including 3 occupied by 30 soldiers each, and towing guns entered
the installation. Pt about :l mm. source determined the guns in frojwz,
of the vehicle sheds 25X1 C
On 24 January, about 200 troops wearing red bordered black epaulets with,
artillery insignia drilled in the yard of the Infanterie Kaserne.
On 31 January, numerous soldiers wearing red-bordered black epaulets with
artillery insignia engaged in service of the piece drill on eight 122-mm
guns in the Pionier Kaserne.
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12,, On 31 December, a clothing account of a transferred soldier, dated 9 November
1952. and signed by Major Z,alka. , lfn omrmanding officer of Unit Kh was found
near the Kraftfahrer Kaserne, k u
.13. On 27 January, motor vehicle was seen leaving the former Arado
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installation. 2 km south of lRathenow. From 24 to 31 January. about 100
troops wearing red--bordered black epaulets with artillery insignia daily
fell, in in the installation.
SECRET.A
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Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA000700210006-5