MILITARY INFORMATION FROM GLEIWITZ

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A004500010009-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 12, 2007
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: June 14, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/07/12 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004500010009-5
WE OBTAINEC
......, DATE P,.. D
'REFERENCES
PAGES 2
1 MARKfi
ENCLOSURES (NO. & TYPE)
1. Prior to November 1953, th.,buildings of the dismantled radio transmitter on the
southwestern perimeter of ieiwitz (Q 51/Y 37) were occupied by a Polish division
headquarters, according to a worker employed there . Local residents also referred
to the buildings as a division headquarters, A general and 2 lieutenant colonels,.
as well as numerous other Polish officers, were repeatedly seen at the installation.
2. Prior to late October 1953, Polish troop wearing red cap bands were observed in the
former Infanterie Kaserne on the fir; .:;er perimeter of the town on the southwest side
of former Ludendorff Strasse. Up to 4 T-34/0 tanks were repeate=dly seen in, and
outside of the installation. which appeared to be occupied to capacity. Source re-
peatedly observed an undetermined number of guns in the barracks yard, which he
identified as model 1942 and model 1939 76-mm guns. The installation included
large vehicle sheds. 2 The Neue Arti.llerie Kaserne adjoining the Infanterie
Kasarne to the southwest housed a chemical plant. 25X1
3. Prior to November 1953, the former Keith Kaserr_e on the southwest side of
U1. Xoscisuszki, formerly Friedrich Strasse, in the southwestern section of the town,
was occupied by Polish troops who wore red cap bands. Source did not observe
any heavy w capons. The unit was equip 1hi ," rucks
ped tdth nuLnerous two.. and -,ee--are t.
Numerous motorcycles, including many sidecar motorcycles, were observed near the
installation which, source believed, was occupied by troops in at least battalion
strength. 3
4. Prior to November 1953,. the former Ulanen Kaserne in the southwestern section of
the town was occupied by an estimated 2Ct border guard troops. Trucks carrying
army troops, who wore red cap bands, were repeatedly seen leavixng the installation
for exercises. Source observed no weapons other than infantry weapons. 4 25X1
5. After the fall maneuvers of the Polish troops, several shipments of tanks were
detrained at the Gleiwitz freight station. The tanks remained at the post. However,
source was not able to determine at which installation the tanks were stationed.
It was rumored that the tanks had come from Oppsln (P 51/J 17). 5 Source stated
that a road, similar to an autobahn, had been constructed in Iabander Wald (woods),
north. of the town. The road was used for test runs of tanks constructed at the
Laband Steel Works. Production of the steel works did not include guns. Source
learned that the plant produced 3 to 4 :?-3-4 tanks a week. 25X1
CLA,,SlFiCATtON o0N21:.1`NTT.L
25X1
Approved For Release 2007/07/12 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004500010009-5
 Approved For Release 2007/07/12 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004500010009-5
D ,- i return, of .ish troops from maneuvers in September 1953
12 to 25
,
vehicles, which source referred to 9?self-propelled laounts" were observed.
The vehicles consisted of a Two. , " ssis mounting a gun presumably of 76-m
caliber with a protective shield n either side of the tank hull, there
were steel plates, about_60 to 7C cm high designed as cover for the gin crews.
Source stated that the vehicles, which appeared to a makeshifts, were not
SP guns, Sourc9 estimated the extent of traverse of the guns at about 30 degrees
to each side,
7. Prior to November 1953, a Soviet office eras located on the northeast side of
ul. Kosciuszld, at the corner of former Schwerin Strassc opposite the municipal
hospital. Two field-grade 'officers were repeatedly observed at the office.
Source did not know any other Soviet installations at the post.
8. In the spring of 1953, construction work on a polytechnic school building started at
"Plac Krakowski" formerly Platz der SA. The school was still quartered at
the former Polizei Kaserne on the east side of Stadtwald Strasse, south of 25X1
the cemetery,
9. A depot with a. spur track, which was constructed in 1951 and was guarded by
blish troops, was located on the east side of former Goethe Strasse about 5C0
meters northwest of the autobahn entrance. large boxes and iron sectiohs were
observed at the installation, which was neither a ration supply depot nor a
weapons and ammunition depot. An improved MA emplacement, which was permanent-
ly occupied, was located in the area north of the autobahn.
Compa with information furnished by another resettler.
The headquarters may hwve been the. 7th Div. 25X1
2. ComMen_t. Source of reference report stated that the installation was
occupied by a tank unit, an AAA unit and an AT unit. Further information is
needed to definitely identify the occupation of the installation.
25X1
was :stationed there. There is the possibility that several units were stationed
at the installation.
4.F__1Comment. It is undo forme nevq ctha+.hn- ;,ro . AA; +4 -- a-., a.9,... 25X1
G ant. Source my have observed dements of the 33d Inf _ Regt. The large
nt ber of motorcycles,. however, tends to indicate that a reconnaissance unit
u t.i.er tiroops were stationed at the installation.
observed troops wearing blue cap bands.
5.I Comment. The tank iirt?i t. i a hn'0 i nvreri +., h.rr~ Z'a- ,. 25X1
avcn av
:erne. The unit was probably organized from troops detached from the 10th.
'Meoh Div stationed in Oppeln.
have been AT
guns on self-propelled mounts.
CONFIDENTIAL,
Approved For Release 2007/07/12 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004500010009-5