WUENSDORF TANK REPAIR SHOP

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A002300170007-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2003
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: September 22, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

IIITELLOFAX 19
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CLASSIFICATION S17:0EMT/
CEN RAL/ IN i t.1.1.1titNUL AUENCY / 25%P( RT NO.
FO rtid A -r o 1EPOT CD Na
COUNTirf East Germany.
SUBJECT ? Wuensdorf Tank Repair Shop
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P1. ACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF
INFO.
'1-*4773WidrifilretteaWirtSMillagal22ArEaaai.TEAMTP
TOW tOetsMair COMM% IhnebblAVIODIJITIPSIC.Oblelitia %Mt:MAL/3602179R
) TM OOMO INATIZZ 112OTOIE4 01/1.3!-Otte OR TIM ESQ10061(42 AC? be
A.% C... $t Ate an. AS AblEUDEIt. CYO '-jiNlielnaleA ell TM L !11O
OP ITS COPIIMYS ANY MAW= YO ItE3 tHafallOTAIZO PLILOOR le inte- -
jy. MIMED DV LIM., raPeeeUCTICII 07 WM MEI lb THOOHOTES.
DATEDWR. 22 3nptember 1953
NO. OF PAGES 6
NO. OF ENCLS.
eLISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
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From November 1952 to April 1951. 17 to 20 tanks and 30 to 40 sidecar motorcycles
underwent general overhaul 'at the Wuenedorf tank repair shop every month. It waLi
planned to raise the monthly outnut of overhauled T-34 tanks to 25 units effective
25X1 January 1953. This aim has not been reached for lack of spare parts and because of
continuous fluctuations in the shop personneLIn February 1953, only 15 tanks under-
went general overhaul 3 however, this number rose to 22 in March after spare parts
were delivered to the installation. Beyond the figures mentioned, an additional
1 to 3 tanks were rewired monthly in special Oblfto. 3 A, smell portion of the
tanks overhauled was delivered to the VP, whil*--the majority of the tanks was shipped
to Soviet units, mostly by rail and at night. 2
2. Spare parts for other Soviet tank repair shops were also maufactured at the Wensdorf installation. In December alone,, 450 bogie wheels, 450 side levers for bogie
wheels and 75 drive sprockets vere manufpoturedtbad sent to other tank repair shops.
. From late November 1952 to February 1953, about 50 young VPs were attached to the
tank repair shop for familiarization with the work done in such an installation.
aout early December, 5 engineers, 6 foremen and a sizeable number of workers were
transferred from Kirchmoeser to Wuensdorf. This personnel was to be moved to a newly
'de-tab:fished tank repair shop in Neubrandenburg and Torgelow. 4 A nurtim.
were sent to Neubrandenburg in 'late February. In mid-March, a lieutenant colonel
from Neubralrldenburg arrived at Wuensdorf and asked that he be given the help of
25X1. further efficient engineers to assist in the setting up of machine tools at the new
tank re ir shop at Neubrandenburg.
25X1 the repair shop in Neubrandenburg was to serve VP units but that it con-
nue.controlled by the Soviets. 5
. Previously, the engines of the tanks turned in at the Wuensdorf repair shop had not
been repaired there but forwarded by rail. In mid-April, facilities for the repair
of engines were installed in workshop No 62. This measure was necessitated by a
fire at the Wurzen repair shop, where previously some of the engines from Wuensdorf
were overhauled. So far, only AA- and BB-type Ford engines for trucks and sedans
have been repaired at Wuensdorf. 6
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5. Moot of the spare parts as gall as nay tai* engines delivered to the installa-
tion came from Muelirose. Only gear wheels, Oevelaybeela and intermediate genre
were delivered from the USSR./
Electric power is supplied to the repair shop through a high-tenaion trans.
mieedon line. At present six traneformer stations with a capacity of 315 KVA
ch are available. Since these transit:a-mere are not adequate for the require-
rents of the instautiont 6 new 500 EVA-traneformers vere ordered in February.
They have not yet been delivered0 imemergency generator is apparently not avail-
an . The output of the repair installation is detrimentally affected ty a short..
age of materiala. Particularly special steels, turning toole and ateol wire aro
battlemecks. For this reason, old zaterlai suet often be used for the repair of
tanks, which mostly are not up to the requirementa to be met. Complaints bn
troop 'units are theeefore a frequent occurrence.
In early. April, the German administration offthe repair chop 48d deactivated.
Commonages. Androscheuski (find) tes tran'eferred. In early Junes aboat 650
GOWDAD workers, engoyees and teehnScal personnel were employed at the inetalYa-
tion. Aceording to a tabulation mate by th East GOV/41111Miniatry for the *ix
ing Industry the ranhinery available at the repair installation represents a tote'
25X1 value or ns50004 eadesesas.8
8c From December 1952 nntil latently 19530 the monthly production target at the
repair shop was about 19 overhauled tanks. This target was mostly met. The
25X1 tanks which had been repaired were vastly &lipped out at night. Outgoing ship-
ments during the period under reviser included 3 T-34 t,..kan on
24 Novemear, 5 T-34 tanks on 24 December and 2 T-34 teaks on 25 December.7
9,, in late November 1952, about 110 VP officer candidates arrived at Wuenadorf fur
25X1 training at the repair shop. The officer oardidatesI
25X1 frem Premien remained at the installation until early February /953.3"
After 24 Novembers ertgfraterS and craftsmen from the Rirchmoeser tank repair ehop
contimmely arrived at %en/adopt. The Germen personnel gt the Eirchmeeser in.
stallation is said to have been discharged. In February 1953e a portion of the
personnel involved. 14913 sent to Neubrandenburgs another portion will allegedly be
sent to Oramienburg.,
10 Three new blooke of duelling housea were echeduled to be erected in the northern
section of the repair installation. After the materia/ required had already been
delivered and excavation work started, the project was canceled on 17 April.
Rumors had it that the repair shop was to be transferred from Wuensdorf in order
to provide space for headqueabters units frau Earlaborst.11
11. In late . bar 19529 about 150 Soviet soldiers about 18 years olds arrived at
Mnensdorf to be faielierized with the repair work done at the installation. Other
Soviet soldiers arrived in May for the same purpose. In mideApril? German venagfe
A -oschevski (fna) was transformed to same undetermined plaeo. A total of 150
German workers aa giren notice for 1 June. Further German vorkers are to be
discharged at a later date. Their places are to be filled by Soviet soldierp.
12,, 12 tanks on the parking lot or the installation. An
25X1 aoditionai 6 tanks v Ived on 5 May. I Ian additionel
35 to 40 tanks at the parking site. The tanks, which had apparently been un-
25X1 lceded during the nights were no longer seen on the relieving day.12
13. On 30 Januarys a VP unit vaoatedttheir quarters at Nellensee (lake) which had
been used for the duration of a training course at the tank repair shoal. On 4
25X1 Februacr. 11 canvaseovvered trucks left Lutz Kaserne /
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14. In early March, the Wuensdorf tank repair shop was redesignated "Field Division
Repair Shoe. Only T-34 tanks were repaired at the installation. Almost all
the spare parts were delivered by other installations, carburetors from Cottbus,
caterpillar tracks from Dynaburg, and radio transmitters from the RFT radio
engineering plant at Dabendorf. All the German workers employed at the installa-
tion will reportedly be discharged. A total of 250 workers has already been
given notice for 30 May. Soviet soldiers have been familiarized with the work
done at the installation for some time. However, the experiences made with
these young soldiers are unsatisfactory. 14 Efforts have been initiated
to transfer the skilled workers from Wuensdorf to the tank repair shop in Neu-
brandenburg. 5 From 1 January through 8 June 1953, 105 T-34 tanks were
dismantled at the installation, while 70 tanks, which had undergone general
overhaul, mere shipped out.
15. All the German workers of the installation, a total of about 800 men, were
given notice for 15 June. The discharged workers were informed that they may
apply for work at the repair shops in Brandenburg or Kirehmoeser. U In
the first 6 months of 1953, the monthly production target at the installation
was 25 tanks. However, this target was never met because of a shortage of materials
and the presence of unskilled Soviet soldiers who had to be familiarized with
the work done at the installation.
_t These special shifts are inserted for propaganda reasons.
Garment. It is believed that the German work force of the installation,
a total of .1,500 to 2,000 men, is employed for the manufacture of these spare
parts. These German workers do not participate in the disassembly or assembly
Ortanksd putgoing rail shipments of tank spare parts
have been confirmed'
[gement. The trapsfer of German personnel from Xirchmoesexsto Wuensdorf
has also been reportedl
Comment. The establishment in Neubrandenburg of a KVP tank repair shop
vas reported previously.
IComment. For sketch of the Wuensdorf tank repair shop
Repair shops for tank engines were previously known
toexistinWurzenand A udersdorf. The information that tank engines were
A
henceforth be repaired also at Wuensdorf is noteworthy.
[92mment. Information on a new tank sight to be used at night was trans-
mitted previously. Since all efforts to verify this
information have been in vain, it must be doubted that such sights have been
seen at Wuensdorf.
Pomments For tabulation of machine tools available at Wuensdorf? see Annex.
&spent. These shipments were reported previously.
9
Comment. Information on the organization of suoh courses designed to
train technical VP officers and mechanics to be employed at VP tank repair
shops was first obtained in late 1952.
ipopeenta Plans to move Soviet headquarters from Earlshorst to Wuensdorf
were known previously. Some headquarters have already been transferred.
IThe information that the tank repair shop will be trans-
ferred from Wtensdorf was received for the first time and is believed to be
improbable. The rumor may have its origin in the discharge of German workers
and the transfer of skilled personnel to the future VP repair shop in Neubranden-
burg.
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Comment. Information that the German workers were given notice was also
received I 1The information requires confirmation.
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IgAgA2BAgghAntigelg_Anilable
Annex
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t the quen_s_dol...tailli.E2Rigi....a21 14,
Statns of_late Msrqh_12U
Type of Machinery
Type
Designation
Number of
Units
Available
Turning
Length
and
Stroke
Kaerger lathes
D.L. 3
26
1000
D.L. 3
2
1500
D.L. 2
2
1000
Meuselwitz
H.R. 63
15
2000
Niles
No .4
6
1000
No 4
3
1600
Na 6
1
1600
No 8
2000
No 8
3
2500
No 8
2
3150
Turret lathes
K. 275
1
1800
Vertical boring
and turning mills
E 105
2
625
Backing-off lathes
D.H.U. 225
1
500
Turret lathes
D.R.V.W, 5C
6
6co
D.S. 28
5
380
D.C. 25
5
380
Crankshaft grind-
ing machines
K.W.S. 4
4
200C,
Surface grind-
ing machines
H.F. 30/1000
1000
Cylindrical grind-
ing machines
S.R.U. 11
2
800
S.R.A. 300
2
1500
S.R.D.
1
800
S.R.S. 125
1
200
Surface grind-
ing machines
S.W.H. 6/49
2
600
Circular grind-
ing machines
606
3
350
Universal grind-
ing machines
S.U.W. 200
2
600
Horizontal
machines
H.D.S. 600
2
600
Wotan-type
grinding machines
R. .H.
3
150
Horizontal
milling machines
F.W. 300
9
590
Vertical
milling machines
I.A.V.
2
450
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Diameter
over Bed
in mm
200
200
200
315
Diameter
over
Carriage
in mm
120
120
120
200
315
180
'
315
'
180
400
240
560
305
560
305
560
305
700
./.
./.
525
450
250
400
300
300
120
300
120
630
120
300
./
240
300
240
125
200
300
200
250
100
380
300
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Diameter
at Bend
(Krcepfung)
in mm
0/4
./.
,/.
450
305
305
245
560
560
560
3000
0/0
./.
0/0
./
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Type of Type Number of Turning Diameter Diameter Diameter Bore
Machinery Designation Units Length over Bed over at Bend in mm
Available and
Stroke
Gear bobbing Z.W.F. 8
machines Z.W.F. 5
Pee-Wee
IV
2 770
1 500
2 116
Horizontal P.F. 80 1
boring machines
900
Radial boring B.R, 80/2500 1 1750
machines
Upright drills B.K. 40 2 1120
B.S. 25 7 3.120
H.B. 6, 111 13 400
4 500
Circular metal
saws
S.g.K.K. 1250 1 400
Power hacksaws S. 16 .3 ./0
in mm
300
250
Carriage
in mm
80
./.
8(0
./)
1600
./.
55
./.
315
./.
200
./.
250
./.
450
./.
160
./.
(Kroepfung)
in mm
./.
./.
./. 40
./. 40
./. 13
20
./.
./.
Shaping machines St.W. 630 3 700 stroke 720 width 250 height
W.H. 1 3 435 IT 580 0 400 n
Shapers S.M. 40 2 600 900
Hydraulic presses V. 25 z 2 500 350
Punching machines A4 H0?.. 60 RI 1 377 245
A.M.P. 30 3 310 195
Hydraulic presses K.P.S, 250 2 490
K.P.S. 63 3 300
Compressed air
hammers
1 ut2
C,5 m2
3 385 mm 350 mm
Broaching R.W.H. 15 1 1300
machines
Gear cutting
machines
IT
600
S.S.M. 1 1 150 1000
S.S.M.O. 1 80 250
Throad cutting G.W.F. 1 250 200
machines
Finnish cutting F,K. 40 1 400 400
machines
Twist drill relief Sp.0/30 2 500 80
grinding machines
Groove F.S.I.E.K. 1 1400 520
grinding machines
Punching tool E.W.F. 10 2
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