ORDER OF BATTLE: ARTILLERY REGIMENT IN BERKOVITSA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A001700400003-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2003
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: July 16, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2004/02/11 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA001700400003-6
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
COUNTRY Bulgaria
SECRET)
SUBJECT Order of Battle
Artillery Regiment in Berkovitsa
25X1
25X1
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
REPORT NO.
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
ALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
25X1 1.
16 July 1953
25X1
An artillery barracks, 300 x 500 meters in size, in located in the center
of Berkovitsa. The barracks lie at the foot of the Stara Planina Range
and are surrounded on three sides by houses.
2. The barracks are composed of the following buildings-.
a. One guardhouse at the main entrance;
b. One 3-story headquarters;
c. Two 3-story barracks for enlisted personnel;
d. Two additional 3-3tory barracks, with "cultural halls" and school
rooms on the ground floor, and living quarters above;
e. One large garage and depot;
f. One stable for horses; and
g. One kitchen and food storehouse.
3. At present, the barracks are occupied by an artillery regiment,
Podelenie 1214-A, strength between 800-900 men. In early October 1952,
the regiment received.260 recruits from the 1931 class, and on 1 December.
1952, an unidentified number of recruits were transferred to the artillery
regiment in Varna. The regiment, for the most part, in not motorized.
25X1
STATE ARMY x WAVY
SECRET)
AIR
I I I
25X1
25X1
(Nob: Washington Distribution Indicated By "X"; Field Distribution By
Approved For Release 2004/02/11 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA001700400003-6
 Approved For Release 2004/02/11: CI-'80-0081 OA001700400 _ 5X1
SECREJ I
4. The artillery regiment is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ivan PERUCHIK-
DIMITROV, about, 46, and has a regimental staff of approximately 70-75
men (probably including the enlisted strength of the headquarters company).
5. Units in the regiment, with figures based on a peace-time basis, are
organized as follows:
a. A horse-drawn artillery battalion, composed oft
(1)
(2)
A commanding officer;
A staff, strength approximately 30 men (presumably including the
headquarters battery);
The 1 Battery, strength 80 men, commanded by Captain Ivan LAMBOV;
The 2 Battery, strength 80 men, commanded by First Lieutenant
KARLOV; and.
The 3 Battery, strength 83 men, commanding officer unknown.
The armament of this battalion includes twelve 76.2 mm. field guns, four
light machine guns? 200 rifles, 25 submachine guns, fifteen 7.62 mm. pistols,
15 antitank HPanzerfaust" grenades, and 200 hand grenades.
b. A mountain artillery battalion, composed of:
(1) A commanding officer;
A staff, strength 42 men;
The 4 Battery, strength 90 men;
The 5 Battery, strength 90 men;
The 6 Battery, strength 90 men; and
The Survey Battery, strength 60 men,
c. A battery in 1 Battalion, composed of:
(1) A battery corunander;
(2) A battery staff;
(3) A staff train: composed of six scouts, a 2 -man survey group, a
5-man observation group, a 10 man telegraph and radio group, and
`auxiliary personnel of five to six men;
(C,) A combat group: composed of 1, 2, 3, and 4 gun sections; each
piece is served by seven men, excluding ammunition carriers; and
(5) A combat trains 10-11 men.
Staff personnel of the regiment are armed with pistols and submachine guns.
The 2 Battalion is equipped with old Bulgarian howittzeerBs whichoare transported
in four pieces by mules. In the autumn of 1953,
allegedly be reorganized and armed with modern field guns.
At present, units are not equipped with gas masks. Approximately one-fourth
of the uniforms are new, with black facings. There are 145-150 horses and
45-50 mules. In October 1952, all recruits were formed into a battalion for
basic infantry training, and in November 1952, special artillery training was
started in the following subjects: service of guns, survey, radio and
telegraph, riding, and draft-horse riding groups.
aECRET~
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/02/11 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA001700400003-6