SOVIET EQUIPMENT USED BY THE 21ST INDEPENDENT ENGINEER BATTALION

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP80-00810A001700670006-4
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
3
Document Creation Date: 
December 14, 2016
Document Release Date: 
July 16, 2002
Sequence Number: 
6
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
August 5, 1953
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
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PDF icon CIA-RDP80-00810A001700670006-4.pdf227.4 KB
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Approved For Release 2002/07/29 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA001700670006-4 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY INFORMATION REPORT SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION COUNTRY Poland 25X1 ATE OF INFO. 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 Soviet Equipment Used by the 21st Independent Engineer Ba,?t;ta~..ci 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 3 THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE. THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE. (FOR KEY off REVERSE) le The items of Soviet engineer equipment listed below were assigned to and used by the 21st Independent Rapper k 0 ( 5go) (S dsielny Batal ,on Saperow) in Swidnioa 25X1 of he equipment axed material mentioned below was of Soviet mangy ao rupee The following Pontoon bridges were used for instructional purposes 25X1 a, Light Pontoon Bridge (Lekid most pontonorry) - I have identified this bridge aas the MP Pontoon Bridge and Bridge Rafts a . Practice pontoon r ges were constructed to a length of 30 to 40 m. Wooden pontoons with . timber decking were used. Approximately 20 cross timbers were laid for each two pontoons. The side curbs consisted Of channel irons which were bolted together. The channel irons could easily be carried by three men. This type of bridge had a capacity of 5 to 10 tons. The Sagest vehicles using these bridges were 2 tn. trucks. The 21st Sapper Bn. had 10 to 15 pontoons of this type in storage. Shore loading ramps for the bridge were made of metal and were three or four meters long. ARMY [11LT~ _14J6 1 X ARMY 14X I NAVY AVY NAVY I #X JAIR FBI AEC AEC .raamnQTOn DIsTrIDUtio'Approved Fxo, F efeasebLURAI7 19' : CIA-RDP80-0081OA001700670006-4 25X1 5 August 1953 25X1 . Approved For Release 2002/07/29: CIA-RDP80-0081OA001700670006-4 25X1A. $XCftTAJKCURITY INFO ATION b. Meyary 9rE2 Bridge IMP-#-The head bridge, which I have 25X1 identified as the 1 .- ,2 Bridge, was used for instructional p xrpones The were con- 25X1 etrsacted of wood; each section was approximately five meters l . . The two outer sections had bow-shaped ends, while the inner section was rectangular. Channel iron earrhs were used on the _ Sides of the decking and were bolted together. Each channel Iron weighed approximately 300 kg. and had to be carried by at least Oft soft. Two or three section floats were constructed. The three-s>lection 'float bridge had a capacity of 50 to 60 tn.., while the two--section float bridge had a capacity of approximately 30 tn. The' approach ramps were made of steel and were approx telly five meters long. c. A-3 Pneumatic Float-There were approximately 40'A-3 fldAts i'h storage at the 21st Sapper Bn. I did not see 'any'bridges don,:. struoted with 'the use of these float$. They were made ' of rubber and were 15 to 20 ft. long. They cottid accommodate about 18 men. The floats were used singly as assault boats. d. Two-man Pneumatic Float-Small two-man pneumatic floats were used 25X1 il.n planting demolition charges at bridges or simulated shore installations. Practical training was conducted at dusk. Two men entered the float and rowed out to a predeter- mined objective where simulated demolition charges were placed. 25X1X 3. I saw the following land mines a; Soviet Tar-Paper "Yam" Mines-These were used for instructional purposes. They were waterproof, approximately 25 cm. in diameter, and weighed about five kilograms. The mines were constructed with a lower and an upper section. The lower section was slightly lease in diameter then the upper section. The mine was armed by removing the upper section (cover) and setting the fuse. I have no further information concerning the detonating mechanism or explosive charge contained in the mine. b. Wooden Anti-Tank Mine, YaM-S-Wooden AT mines, which I can identify 25X1 as the Soviet YaM-5, were used for instructional purposes. They were of the ft type and weighed approximately six kilograms. Empty "dummy' mines were always used for instrue tioi. There were two or three live mines of this type in my unit,,. out I did not see them detonated. I was told that these mines were not waterproof,, c. Tank Mine T-B (Te,nkowa Mina).-Commonly referred to as "Drewniany Brykiet" (Wooden Briquette). These were square, wooden mines, approximately 30 cm,, long, 30 cm. wide, and 18 cm. high. They contained two briquette explosive charges. The weight of the entire mine was approximately five kilograms. This mine could only be used in dry places, because it was not waterproof. A Weight of 80 kg. on the mine would set it off . I have no further Information about this mine. d. Magnetic, Hollow-Charge, Anti-Tank Mine-I saw one of these mines 25X1 used The mine was made';m steel, was conical shaped., and weighed three kilograms. It had three magnets on the bottom portion. I was told that these mines were to be placed 'against the steel hulls of 'tanks., but' I have no further information. Al. I also saw the following mines, grenades. and panzerfausts ~A, -t& & hand ILLEGIB Weapon) SECRET Approved For Release 2002/07/29 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA001700670006-4 Approved For Release 2002/07/29: CIA-RDP80-00810A00170067000?. X1 A 3ECRRT/SECURITY INFORMATION -36 ILLEGIB Tel1erainei TM *2-43 Riegal, R-aL, 43 Anti sport mine Mti omel Iri.ne, 3ai- 4 A 3,-.reonn+o1 main, PO NZ, 6 and T (wood construction) Stia d grretadi (15 on.) Fanaetfauet, recoilless AT, bomb and launcher 5. I saw one V1M-20mine detector used during a demonstration It was equipped with a battery power pack and ILLEGIB phones. I was told that it was of Soviet make. I did not use this device myeel:f,.and have no further information. Approved For Release 2002/07/29 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA001700670006-4