NEURUPPIN AIRFIELD

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A004400070001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 28, 2007
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 21, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

CLASSIFICATION 5 n r/CCI rnoL - U.S. CFFIC
Nast Germany
DATE OF CONTEN
DATE OBTAINED
REFERENCES
7
PAGES E TURFS, (NO.41YPE)
REMARKS ? + - ~y
v_. t; '.This is UNEVALUATED Information = . r c-
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1. The following air activity and aircraft were observed at Neuruppin airfield
between 23 March and 10 April 1954:
23 March. Throughout the day, MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s made individual flights
of 30 to 35 minutes duration. The weather was cloudless and there was visibility
of about 10 km.
24 March. In the late morning, some individual flights were made. The weather
was cloudless. About noon, 8 MiG-15s or U NIG-15s took off in elements of two
and departed. At 5 p.m., a formation of 3 swept-back jet fighters was seen
over Neuruppin.
25 and 26 March. No air activity was observed. There was a closed ceiling
and visibility of between 3 and 5 km.
27 March. In the morning one Fo-2 made local flights. There was a closed
ceiling at an altitude of about 200 meters, drizzle rain and visibility of
1 to 2 Ion. In the late afternoon, source heard the noise of flying jet
aircraft.
28 March. No flying was observed. There was the same weather as on the
preceding day. About 10 a.m., the alert flight of 4 aircraft and 3 other
swept-back jet fighters were parked at the field.
29 March. Between 2:30 p.m, and 3 p.m., the noise of swept-back jet fighters
was heard.
30 March. No air activity was observed. There was a closed ceiling and visibility
of about 5 km.
31 March. After non ,'.+i2ie irae fhiraa ni tbi elements of two swept-
back jet fighters, some of which were fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks.
Prior to 11 a.m. there was ground fog, then a closed ceiling and visibility
of between 8 and 12 lcm.
CLASSIFICATION SFYIRF,T/CONTROL - U.S. OFTICIAIS ONLY
 Approved For Release 2007/06/28 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004400070001-8
1 April. There was air activity after 9:30 a.m. Repeatedly, U r'.iG-15s
towing an air sleeve were approached by ViG-15s. There were scattered clouds.
2 April. Throughout the day, there was air activity as on the preceding day.
The weather was 5/10 to 6/10 overcast and there was visibility of about 10 km.
Aircraft were also aloft at night.
3 and 4 April. No air activity was observed. About 11 a.m. on 4 April, 22
to 24 1..1.G-15s or U MiG-15s, 1 single-engine monoplane and 1 170-2 were parked
at the field.
5 April. Some flights were made. There was a 9/10 to 10/10 overcast and
visibility of about 10 km.
6 April. There was air activity throughout the day, including formation
flying by elements of two and four aircraft and the continuous attacking
of air sleeves. The air sleeves had about the length of a 21G-15, were
cylindric throughout the length and had a smaller aperture at the tail than
at the fore.
7 April. After a NiG-15 had taken off at 7 a.m., apparently for a weather
reconnaissance flight, there was formation flying in elements of two and
four. The attacking of air sleeves was also practiced.
8 April. MIG-15s or U :i0-15s made individual local flights and formation
flights in elements of two. The weather was fair.
9 April. During daytime, there was light air activity by PIG-15s or U-MG-15s.
There was night flying with searchlights being in operation. One swept-back
jet fighter towing. an air sleeve, which was attacked by another swept-back
jet fighter and which was illuminated by searchlights, was seen aloft at 990_
time. No air-to-air firing was observed.
10 April. Between noon and 1 p.m., 6 1110-15s or U-MiG-15s practiced formation
flying, change of formations, assembling to and dispersing of formations. In
the afternoon, about 25 LiG-15s or U-21iG-15s were parked at the field.
2. A brick building was being erected at the eastern end of the runway near the
alert hut. The alert flight was recently parked next to that building.
3. The following air activity and aircraft were observed at the field between
25.I-arch and 7 April:
2 Aarch. Ho training flights were made. There was a closed ceiling at an
altitude of about 900 meters and visibility of about 5 km. icaintenance work
was being done on 10 swept-back jet fighters; the cowlings of the power plants
of these aircraft had been dismantled. Some of the auxiliary fuel tanks were
being exchgnnged. In the late afternoon, sone flights, probably test flights,
were made.-
2626 March. Shortly before 9 a.m., 1 Fo-2 was flying to and fro near Flapngraben
south of the field. At the sane time, four guns were firing from an
emplacement near the barn south of the field. During the take-offs and landings
of the aircraft the guns ceased firing. The firing practice was apparently
directed by the Pb-2. 2
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27 T;arch. At 5 p.m., 2 MiG-15s approached the field in formation and landed
there.
28 March. No air activity was observed. There was a 2/10 overcast.
29 March. Between 3:10 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., some flights were made.
30 h&arch. There was no flying. any flying personnel wearing dress uniform
were seen in town.
31 march. In the afternoon, formations of four aircraft practiced the
assembling and dispersing of formations. The aircraft landed individually.
1 Argil.. Throughout the day, the attacking of air sleeves which were towed
by U-MiG-15s was practiced in the following manner: Two MG-15s would take
off in formation, climb to an altitude of about 1,500 meters and make a dive
attack on the radar set at the southern edge of the field. After attacking
the radar set for three tires, one of the aircraft left the formation and
attacked the air sleeve. A third MG-15 which had been aloft assembled in
formation with the aircraft attacking the radar set. Subsequently, the second
A:iG-15 left the formation and attacked the air sleeve, while the two remaining
aircraft continued diving practices.
2 9uril. Throughout the day, individual and formation flying, and the
attacking of air sleeves was practiced. There was a 5/10 overcast and
visibility of about 10 lea. The aircraft took off individually and in elements
of twos and flew in formations of two, three and four mainly practicing the
assembling and dispersing of formations. After nightfall, the attacking of
air sleeves was continued. Upon a flash signal given by the swept-back jet
fighter towing the air sleeve, the searchligh'.s were put in operation and
their beams were directed to the sleeve target. While the target-tow aircraft
was flying horizontally, the air sleeve was attacked. At 10:30 p.m., a siren
gave air raid warning for about 30 minutes. Subsequently, 4 swept-back jet
fighters crossed over the field and landed. At 11:15 p.m., the aircraft took
off again and departed to the east, while, about that time, the siren gave
all clear signal for about 15 minutes. At 11:30 p.m., 2 Po-2s took off, flew
turns between the town and the Panzer Kaserne and landed again after midnight.
3 and L. April. There was no flying.
April. Throughout the day, swept-back jet f_ghters practiced the attacking
of air sleeves each firing about 6 roundts. As on the preceding days, the
aircraft approached the sleeve target from the rear at an angle of about
45 degrees. Between 7:20 p.m. and shortly past midnight, swept-back jet fighters
and }b-2s were aloft. Apparently these flights were connected with army exercises
held in the Katerbow-Walsleben area as rifle and machine gun firing was heard
and mound signals were observed from that direction. 3
6 Azril. Air-to-air firing was again practiced. There was a 7/10 overcast at
an altitude of about 1,000 meters. The practices were continued after nightfall.
7 Aril. Firing at air sleeves was practiced as on the preceding days. 1
4. Eighty small apartments on Altruppiner Allee and apartment houses on r.eustaedter
Strasse were being under construction, allegedly, to be occupied by dependents
of air force and army personnel respectively.4
SECRE:/COThIOL - U.S. O FICIALS ONLY
 Approved For Release 2007/06/28 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004400070001-8
5. The following air stivity and aircraft were observed at the field between
30 larch and 20 April:
30 ?`arch. There was no air activity. The weather was overcast.
21 larch. There was fog in the morning. In the afternoon, swept-back jet
fighters practiced firing at air sleeves. Source observed that the 5-meter-
long air sleeve was extended on a rope, about 120 peters long, when the
target-towing plane tool: off. Shortly after the target-towing aircraft, the
attacking F'iG-15 took off. Both aircraft flew a left turn and climbed to an
altitude of 2,000 to 3,000 meters where four slant attacks from the rear
were flown. At each attack one burst of fire was given from rapid firing machine
guns. After the fourth attack, the firing aircraft would leave and land. At
the same tine, another 1i0-15 would take off for firing practices in the described
manner.. The target-towing aircraft would remain aloft for firing practices by
two YiG-15s. 25X1
2 April. The air activity included air-to-air firing practices as on the
preceding day, flying in formations of two aircraft at altitudes of about
8,000 meters and night flying. There was a 6/10 overcast in the morning
and a closed ceiling in the afternoon and visibility of about 10 km.
'wand 4 April. No flying was observed. There was a closed ceiling.
April. Twenty-four 1iG-15e or U-IiG-15s, 3 Yak-lle, 4 Po-2s, and 1 Li-2
were narked at the field. The Li-2 had landed at about 10:45 a.m.
6 April. Air-to-stir firing was practiced throughout the day. Night flying by
swept-back jet fighters began after 7 p.m.
7 Arril. , Firing at air sleeves was again rracticed. Source observed for the
first time that the radar set at the southern edge of the field was fotating
during air activity. The rotation started when the target-towing aircraft,
after a left turn flew into the training area and ceased when the aircraft
came in or landing.
8 April. Take-offs and landings were practiced in short local flights. There
was a 7/10 to 9/10 overcast, morning fog and visibility of about 10 lap.
9 A r it _ Firing at air sleeves was practiced while the radar set was in
operation again. Furthermore elements of two aircraft practiced flying. Night
flying started after 7 'p.m., with searchlights being in operation. U^on a
flash signal by the flying, aircraft, the searchlights were switched on and
directed their bears on the aircraft until it flew out of sight.
10 April_ Between 10:30 a.n. and 1 p.m., elements of two aircraft practiced
flying. There was a 6/10 overcast. At 4 p.m., a Li-2 approached from the south-
west and landed.
11 April_ No air activity was observed at a 6/10 to 7/10 overcast by cumulus
clouds and a visibility of about 10 km. At 11 a.m., 22 swept-back jet fighters,
4 Yak-lls, 3 Fo-2s, and 1 Li-2 were counted at the field.
12 April. Firing at air sleeves and high altitude flying in elements of two
was practiced, 25X1
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13 April. Between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., flying in elements of two aircraft
and air-to-air firing were practiced at rainy weather and gusty westerly
winds. After nightfall, firing at air sleeves continued with searchlights
being in operation. The attacking aircraft approached at an acute angle from
right or left giving a burst of fire from a heavy rapid firing machine gun
at each approach. After the attack, the aircraft passed by the air sleeve
at the same altitude and curved for the next attack. Thereupon, the seardh-
lights dimmed their lights, the aircraft turned and the attacks were repeated
in the described manner. Subsequently, the attacking aircraft landed while
another swept-back jet fighter took off for the same practices. When the
second aircraft had completed the practices, the target-towing aircraft
dropped the air sleeve and landed. Firing practices were continued in the
same manner at night. It could not be determined whether the radar set was
also in operation during night flying. No light was seen from the direction
of the set.
2A il. There was firing at air sleeves during day and night. 'During daytime,
the radar set was observedaj3o4gg in operation. Elements of two aircraft practiced
flying at very high altitudes/the cloud ceiling. There were very gusty winds.
15 A il. Between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., some flights were made by elements of
two aircraft at 9/10 overcast, rain showers and gusty winds . After 7 p.m.,
swept-back jet fighters made 12 to 15-m nute flights in and above the clouds.
During take-offs and landings, the runway lights and two searchlights casting
their beams along the runway in take-off direction were in operation. Four
red obstacle lights and three searchlights east of the eastern end of the run-
way were also alight.
16 April. During the morning, only some local flights were made, although the
weather was favorable.
17 April. During the morning, N.iG-15s or U-MIG-15s and Fb-2s made local
flights. A Li-2 landed about noon. The weather was 8/10 to 9/10 overcast and
there wera gusty winds.
18 April. There was no flying. In the late morning, 19 MiG-15s or U-M1G-15s,
4 Yak-lie, 6 Po-2s and I Li-2 were parked on the landing field.
19 A wil. During the morning, Po-2s made individual local flights and
formation flights in olements of two. There was a 7/10 overcast and visibility
of about 10 kin. After 7 p.m., swept-back jet fighters made about 15-minute
flights in and above the clouds.
20 A ,.:;.i.. About noon, a NiG-15 made a local flight. There was a closed ceiling
with intermittent light rain showers. In the afternoon, 19 EiG-15s, 4 Yak-lls,
6 Po-2s and 1 Li-2 were parked at the f;.eld.
a distance of about 230 meters east of the road fork of Wittstocker Ailee and
Lentz Strasse. The three searchlights had a diameter of about 40 cm each and
 were fitted on steel masts 2.5 to 3 rioters high. They were set up in the
extension of the southern edge of the runway, the first about 40 meters, the
third about 190 meters from the road fork, the latter being emplaced on the
ceretery. The searchlights were hinged and were adjustable to direct their
beans toward the west and east. Rubber cables extended to the obstacle lights
and the searchlights.
7. On 29.1?arch, excavation work for a brick building, about 6.mptors g mid .5
r.ptprs wide- ~s -started near the eastern end of the runway.
8. During the morning of 5 April, all swept-back jet fighters at the field were
towed to the runway by means of a large jeep and were parked in groups of
three next to the runway. After the first aircraft were parked there, a tank
truck began to refuel them. Source observed that the hose was being connected
to the aircraft at four different points namely to the leading edge of each
wing just behind the cabin, and below the star under the fuselage. The refueling
of each aircraft lasted about 8 minutes. Subsequently a van-like truck, similar
to a delivery truck moved up to the aircraft. A hose which was fitted in one of
the four lid-covered openinrs on the rear side of the truck was connected with
the aircraft. While the pilot entered the aircraft, a humming noise was heard
and, about 4 minutes after the hose had been applied, the aircraft taxied to the
take-off point. 5
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1. Commence During the reported period, mainly formation flying and firing 25X1
at air sleeves was practiced -partly under unfavorable weather conditions. It is 25X1
r=snt. xercises of the 12th Gds Tank Div were held in that area
arteen 5l and u April
 Comment. The construction of these buildings, although reported 25X1
for the first tine, appears credible.
Conment. The two auxiliary fuel tanks which are fitted below the 25X1
wings, an tank and the two-sectional auxiliary body tank were refueled
individually. As the tanks are interconnected they may as well all be refueled
from the rain fueling point which, however, requires more time.