AIRFIELD AND AIRFORCE INFORMATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A001800550016-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 1, 2010
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: November 28, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
CONFIDENTIAL
COUNTRY Bulgaria
SUBJECT Airfield and Airforce Information
This Document contains inforgnpticitl sfteeting the Ks
tional Defense of the United Stage: wtt4n t no.
Ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of 'ti'e V. A, as
amended. Its transmission or revelatioD of Its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of. this form U prohtblted.
REPORT
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
freehand drawing
28' November 1953
Krumovo A r j e~ d _ The following descriptions are keyed to Appends se4
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1. The Krumov"eenovgrad railroad passes through the Kramovo Airfield; installation.
The section of the airfield situated east of the railroad is approz.stately
2000 x 2000 meters in size. It is bounded on the east by Chaya etream, on the
south by an artificial canal, and on the west and north by meadbwee
2. Only barracks and buildings of the Air Supply Battalion, designation unspeoi':fied,;
Gasoline care are taken to the end of the latter spur where the gaiQline is
loaded onto gasoline transport trucks and taken to the depots (Fi, a 3). 7ere
are two sidings (Figure 2).
The airfield can also be approached from the west by an estimated 1.5kilpmet+pr
gravel road which connects with the Plovdiv-Aaenovgrad highway.
building Figure l7), and to within 20 meters of the repair shop > ' 1C .
linear (Figure 3)D go f r o m the station to within 80 meters of tke
There is a railroad station (Figure 7), about 150 meters fro* thefi:pldti'
Airfield Conditions
The airfield has no hangars. Planes are parked on the western sldeiof tse'fi.eld
and are covered with canvas.
6. There is a 1000 x 300-400 meter area (Figure 26) at the southeast corn#r of the
airfield where a large number of 15 x 3-4 x 3 meter bunkers have been"built.
25 YEAR RE-REVIEW
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The bunkers are 10-15 meters apart and act as "camoufla ing" for planes parked
between them. A permanent observation tower (Figure 27) is on the eastern side
of this area.
7. There is no concrete runway at the airfield. As the surface of the field is
sandy, it absorbs water quickly and the field does not become muddy in winter.
There are no hazardous obstructions near the airfield.
8. Weather conditions are good the year round. There is mist on rare occasions in
spring and autumn. As the northwest wind prevails, take-offs are usually southeast
to northwest.
9. In 1947, airfield traffic was controlled by signal cartridges, white for "all
clear" and red for a "wave off." Landing direction was indicated by an oilcloth
"T". Kerosene pots are used to light the field for night flights.
Airfield Installations
10. Airfield headquarters are located in a 15 x 6 meter 1-story wooden building
(Figure 17), on the western side of the field. Headquarters of the Air Supply
Battalion are in a 10 x 6 meter 1-story wooden building (Figure 9).
11. There are five 1-story, 50 x 6 meter barracks as follows:
a. Figure 21, houses airfield personnel;
b. Figure 8 and 22, houses Air Supply Battalion personnel; and
c. Figure 6 and 11, are unused barracks buildings.
There is no control tower. The flight control officer is located in a stone
building (Figure 18).
12. The infirmary, telephone center, radio room and meteorological station are
located in a 20 x 6 meter wooden shed (Figure 23). There is a special direct
telephone line joining the Plovdiv and Krumovo airfields. The airfield also has
an inter-communication system. In addition to two fixed radios, there is a
portable set mounted on a radio car which is used for flight instructions.
13. Electricity is supplied to the airfield from Asenovgrad.
14. There is an ordnance depot located in a 20 x 6 meter 1-story wooden building
(Figure 25) on the south side of the airfield. There are two quartermaster's
depots, one near the ordnance depot (Figure 24), and the other west of the
railroad tracks (Figure 10).
15. There is a repair shop (Figure 12) located in a 15 x 10 meter 1-story building
on the northwest edge of the airfield. Six or seven civilians are employed here
to do small repair work. Engine repair work is not done at the field although
there are three World War II repair cars there equipped with the necessary tools.
These care are sealed in the garage (Figure 4) which can only be opened on orders;
of the "Air Force Commander." 25X1
16. There are three or four underground gas tanks (Figure 13). oil
is stored in barrels stacked in the open on the east side or the flel e gure 16).
17. Water is stored in a depot (Figure 19). There is also a mess hall (Figure 20) and
a shed (Figure 5), the exact use of which is unknown 25X1
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18. In 1947, there were no air raid warning measures taken. There were two sirens
which were kept in the depot. The airfield is not surrounded with barbed wire.
Guards are on duty at the ordnance depot, parachute depot (Figure 15), entrance
gate, arms repair shop (Figure 14), airfield headquarters, fuel depots (position
shown as Figure 1), and about the planes. Bunkers surrounding the various
buildings "camouflage" them.
19. In early 1947 there were about 180 twin-engine Soviet "Petlekov" and German
"Uragan" bombers stationed at Krumovo field. In order to conceal these from the
Allies, they were being sent to Yugoslavia. By the end of 1947 there were
30-40 planes at Krumovo field.
Balchik Airfield
20. In 1946 the headquarters of the airfield and the air training battalion was
located at Levski village (sic) located 500-600 meters west of the Balchik
Airfield. This installation consisted of the following buildings:
a. A 3-story barracks accommodating "12 companies";
b. A barracks for airfield guards;
c. A depot; and
d. A garage.
Plovdiv Airfield (See Appendix B based on a freehand drawing made
21. The airfield has a grass surface and becomes too muddy in rainy weather for
planes to land.
22. There is a prevailing northwest wind at this airfield. There are no frequent
adverse weather conditions.
23. In 1947, the airfield had the following installations, keyed to Appendix B:
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1, Guard house.
2,4,6,7,8 and 10. Buildings measuring 10-20 meters, including barracks and a
hospital (exact disposition not known)
3. A 2-story, 30 x 10 meter headquarters building of the 2 and 5 Air Regiments.
5. Sentry house.
9. Hangar, 40 x 25 meters.
11. Repair shop, 40 x 15 meters, equipped for motor repairs.
12. Garage, 35 x 10 meters.
13. "Aleksandur Stamboliyski" State farm.
Air Force Units
24. In January 1953,1 Ithe
2 Fighter Regiment and the 5 Bomber Regiment are stationed at the Plovdiv Airfield.
25. a parachute battalion is 25X1
stationed near Stara Zagora.
Air Force Uniforms (Date of Observation: March 1953)
26. Enlisted men wear dark blue heavy serge breeches and tunics with closed-type
collars. They have dark blue serge field caps and overcoats. They have caps of
thin dark blue material for daily wear. They wear black boots.
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CONFIDENTIAL
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27. Officers' field training uniforms consist of breeches, closed-type tunic and over-
coat of dark blue serge. Their daily uniform consists of dark blue light weight
trousers and open type jacket, white.shirt, light brown belt, high black boots, black
tie and blue cap. They also have black dress trousers and light blue serge dress
overcoats.
28. Enlisted men's grades are shown on blue serge epaulets, and officers' ranks on
gold epaulets. Air Force personnel have a "butterfly" insignia on their caps.
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Air Force Personnel
29. Air Colonel Panayot Stoyanov Sertev
CONFIDENTIAL
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Appendix A
Note: Not to male
0ONiIZNTIAL
4',
aorncarcUt.
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Appendix B
CONFIDENTIAL
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Seale - 1:10000