MILITARY SITUATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A001900440008-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 2, 2009
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: September 1, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2009/10/02 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001900440008-5
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This Document contains Information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 783 and 794, of the U.B. Code, as
N FORM,~ITI C)N REPORT amended. Its transmission or revelation of Its contents
W or receipt by an unauthorized person Is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form Is prohibited.
SECRET/CONTROL - U. S. OFFICIALS ONLY
SECURITY INFORMATION
COUNTRY Albania
SUBJECT Military Situation
DATE OF INFO.
LOA I
DATE DISTR. . 1 September 1953
NO. OF PAGES 2
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
3e
From the standpoint of training and equipment the army is now considered to be
.u good condition. Many of the troops and officers, particularly field officers,,
have been trained in various Soviet schools. The army is equipped with modern
weapons and is well trained; its cadres can now be considered dependable after
9: years of intense theoretical and practical trainis g.
All three services have had increasing numbers of Soviet field officers' a2%
yLieutenant Colonels and espeoi
equivalent ranksi, assigned to theme Many of these
hate been joined by their families. The technical aid and advisers furnished
by the Soviet Union continue to arpive._ Materiel, including . artillery, smaau.
., atmrtition, clothing., medium and light tanks, YAK fighters., aviation
gasoline, light and medium tires, and engineering equipment, continues to arrive
in considerable quantities.
The morale of the Albanian troops has been adversely affected by the severe
economic situation. Other factors which have affected morale are the police per-
secution, Party nepotism, the very strict discipline, and the long term of mili-
tary service. However, a factor which has helped to offset the low morale is the
provocation B,nid sending of rdivereienists into Albania from neighboring countries;
this intensifies the loyalty of the troups to the Regina. Propaganda which at-
tempts to counteract these elements causing low z ale is not Felieved to be very
successful.
SECRET/CONTROL - U. S. OFFICIALS ONLY
STATE ARMY I X I NAVY I X I A I R I X I FB I i AEC
(Note: Wash-nten Distribution Indicated By "X"; Field Distribution by_ ".#",)
Approved For Release 2009/10/02 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001900440008-5
 Approved For Release 2009/10/02 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001900440008-5
SECRET/CONTROL - U. S. OFFICIALS ONLY
The am y was maintained on an alert basis according to a prepared defense plan
following the death of Stalin. Anti-tank guns and heavy automatic weapons were
set up in tactical positions, many of them in pill-boxes camouflaged as huts or
small country houses. Around Tirana the number of antiaircraft guns, cannons, and
machine guns was increased. Bridges and roads leading to Durres and Shkoder were
guarded, and protective measures were taken at the frontiers and along the Adriatic,
SECRET/CONTROL - U. S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Approved For Release 2009/10/02 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001900440008-5