ACTIVITIES OF SVAZARM IN KARLOVY VARY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A005300780009-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 7, 2007
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: November 1, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/06/07: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005300780009-2
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
This material contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States within the mean-
ing of the Espionage lsws, Title 18, U.B.C. Secs. 7 3
and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in
any manner to an unauthorized person Is prohibited
by law.
SECRET/U. S. OFFICIALS ONLY
SUBJECT Activities of SVAZARM in Karlovy Vary
REPORT NO.
DATE DISTR.
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)
24 November 1954
25X1
1. The secretariat of the SVAZARM (Union for Cooperation with the.Army) district
organization in Karlovy Vary is located in Dimitrova trida. Two salaried
employees are employed there.
2. New members of SVAZARM must go through basic training, which takes 80 hours.
Basic training consists of close-order drill, marching, theory of fire, firing
of small arms, topography, and first aid. Those members who complete their
basic training may enroll in one of the fQllowirig49'eotionsa parachutist,
radio technicis~n, gliding, driving, carrier-pigeon breeding and training, and
shooting. .
3. The parachutist section has about 20 members. All of them are considered to
be politically very reliable. Every Saturday there is a two-hour instruction
in theory dealing with methods of jumping, folding of parachutes, meteorology.,
and military instructions. Practical training consists of surmounting
obstacles, practice jumps on the grounds, unfolding and folding of parachutes,
and other introductions for real jumping. The course lasts about three months.
It is concluded by examinations. The students who pass the examination are
issued a parachutist's certificate, which is followed by a stiff medical
examination in the hospital. Liability to nervous diseases and proper func-
tioning of all senses are thoroughly tested. After this examination, success-
ful candidates are trained in jumping. Jumps are made from a four-seater
Fairchild aircraft. Part of the Karlovy Vary Airfield is used for jumping.
The parachutists are issued battle dress, red berets, and top boots. The
activity of the parachutist section is o the whole slight, and it is kept
going only by a few enthusiasts.
4. The radio section in Karlovy Vary has not, so far, developed any kind of
activity beyond training in Morse code. This section is supposed to embrace
all radio amateurs and to work with a transmitter lent by. the army until an
amateur transmitting station is built up.
SECRET/U..S. OFFICIALS ONLY
STATE X ARMY X NAVY X AIR X I FBI 1 1. AEC T -T - T- I 1
Approved For Release 2007/06/07: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005300780009-2
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t Approved For Release 2007/06/07: CIA-RDP80-00810A005300780009-2
SECRET/U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Tje gliding section has 12 gliders and three engine-powered aircraft for towing.
It also has a winch. The section is very active; gliding takes place every
Sunday. The section uses Karlovy Vary Airfield.
U,. Tina driving section has developed the highest activity of all SVAZARM sections
because young people are keen to pass driving tests and acquire driving licenses.
This section provides its members with free driving courses and tests.
;' All activities of the carrier-pigeon breeding and training section are conducted
at a former barberst clubroom on the corner of Chebska trida.
8. The shooting section in Karlovy Vary has developed no special activity. It is
kept in existence only by a few enthusiasts. It is equipped with air guns and
small caliber weap*s.
9. In spite of considerable support and directives from the Ministry of National
Defense, the SVAZARM organization in Karlovy Vary has not developed the activity
which its financial endowment would permit.
SECRET/U. S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Approved For Release 2007/06/07: CIA-RDP80-00810A005300780009-2