17TH INFANTRY REGIMENT IN GORZOW

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A004900120005-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 29, 2007
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: November 1, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/05/29: CIA-RDP80-0081OA004900120005-3
This material contains 1nformatt afecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States within the mean-
I N FORMATION REPORT ing of the Liplonage Laws, Title 18, U.S.O. Secs, 793
794, the transmission or revelation of whioh irk
any manner to an unauthorized person is prohliifted,
by law.
SECRET/U.S.OFFICIALS ONLY
COUNTRY Poland
SUBJECT 17th Infantry Regiment in Gorzow
DATE OF INFO.
REPORT
DATE DISTR. 11, October 1954
NO. OF PAGES 4
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL Of CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. The 17th In ow (Landsberg), J.W. 2635, Chas` motorized
in 1951-52, the regiment's. strength was about 2,500.
The regiment was comprised of the following units:
a Several infantry battalions
b. 2 battalions. armed with light machine guns of Soviet make.
c. 1 battalion-of heavy machine guns of Soviet make.
d. 1 battalion of light mortars (German. type).
e. 1 battalion of heavy mortars (German and Soviet type).
f. 1 transport battalion
g. 1 company of self-propelled guns (German type)
h. 1 AA ocmparq
is 1 anti-chemical warfare company
3. 3 signal companies
The barracks were on the eastern border of Gorzow on the southern side of the high-
way leading into the town. Parallel to this highway and about 1,500 to 2,000 meters
from the road flows the river Warta. The barracks area is a square with one side
about 300 meters long.
About 80 percent of the men were recruits inducted in 1952. The remaining 20 percent
were soldiers serving their second year of national service; they were instructors
and noncommissioned officers. The whole regiment had about 100 officers; the majority
of them were about 30-years old. The'officers were not professionally competent.
Soldiers had two kinds. of uniforms: the work uniform, made of cotton, and the drill
uniform, which was at the same time their dress uniform, Lade of woolen material.
Both uniforms were worn out. Other parts of equipment, such as gas masks, were either
of Soviet-or German origin. the trucks were Polish..made Star 120t. which
r
we
e manu-
?.factured in Warsaw and Lublin. There were also several old Soviet vehicles, three
American jeeps, and a large number of German motorcycles.
SECRET/b.5.OFFICIALS ONLY
STATE I X ARMY y .X NAY' AIR
(Nn7F, W-hjngion distribvllon Indkefed by "X"g Field dJ.fdb.1M by "*".)
FBI AEC
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5. The soldiers received seven zlotys and about 100 grams of tobacco per month. The
normal military service lasted 37 months. Soldiers who had attended NCO school or
had some other special training had to serve several additional months. The majority
of the soldiers complained of poor food. The morale was very low; soldiers waited
for the day they would be released from servi
6. The regiment had its own NCO school where all the NCOs with exception of signalmen
were trained.
7. The men had to attend three hours of political education each day. The first month
they were taught the military oath whi. ` ey had to take at the end of the month.
Then followed the lectures on the Soviet peace movement, the Five-Year Plan, life
stories of the famous Communist leaders, etc.. Those soldiers who showed an intelligent
interest in the political education were allowed to leave the barracks as a reward.
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SECRET/U.S.OFFICIALS ONLY
-3
Three-meters-high wall of barbed wire.
Main entrance and a wooden guard post,
3. to 15. Unknown (one page of the original report was missing).
16. Garage. Brick built, 45 by 10 with an annex 20 by 10 meters.
17. Garages. Brick built, 20 by 14, 8 by 6, and 18 by 8 meters.
18. Pigsty.
19. Underground fuel depot.
20. Gymnastic hall. Single story, 30 by 8 metere,
21. Billets. Three stories..
22. Several farm buildings occupied by the military.
23.-A row of officers' houses,
SECRET/U.S.OFFICIALS ONLY
Approved For Rele
e 2007/0512 i:XIA=F
 Approved For Release 2007/05/29: CIA-RDP80-0081OA004900120005-3
SECRET,
Barracks of 17th"Infantry
Regiment in Gorzow
SECRET/U.S.OFFICIALS ONLY
Approved for Release 2007105129 ::CIA-C:DP80-00810A004900120005-3