NCO SCHOOL AND RECONNAISSANCE TRAINING OF THE 23RD RIFLE REGIMENT AT HAMRY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A005300880005-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 8, 2007
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: November 1, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

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U ASSIFICATIC I SWjRET
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
REPORT
25X1
COUNTRY Czechoslovakia
SUBJECT IICO School and Reconnaissance Training of the
23rd Rifle Regiment at Harry
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF
INFO.
*F THE UNITED STATES, WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE 10, SECTIONS 799
AND 744. OF THE U. S. COON, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR REVEL-
ATION OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RE4RIPT BY AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON
I. The -ITCO schooI--of the -23rd -Ri
3?
.DATE DISTR. 26 November 1954
NO. OF PAGES 5
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
other times, only a unit of about 30
buildings. In summer 1952, the
old ruined grain mill outside'H
-UA-4"Q' 4W4444 were formerl
;the regment;b nu).
"e school - 20 men. Each -d
minutes of "political enlightenment"
conducted by the trainees. The member
uniforms and r_ des tern soldiers. About American military tactics
they were told the fol owing:
25X1
The training consisted of basic training and theory of reconnaissance.
The students learned to recognize different types of aircraft and weapons
of the Western powers - mainly of the U.S. They were told that an
American divisir le to fight with only one-third of its strength,
since two-thir} jed for support. They also learned to recognize
a) The Americans don't like to risk lives. Their offensive is psycho-
logical and based on material superiority.
b) They use aircraft primarily, which drop incendiaries.
c) They bomb primarily the supply and communications lines.
d) After an air attack, they start with artillery and break through'
with tanks.
NA'
RAIR
Y
0
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CLASCTI'I' - --
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25X1
.SECRET CONTRB -
U.S., OFFICIAAS ONLY
e) Only then comes the infantry; human life is highly valued.
f) The Americans attack from a centr&lized spot and attack in two
or three places. They do not use the wedge type of attack like
the Germans and do not use the squeeze like the Russians.
4. The trainees were told about new American
weapon which w s pounds, has
tally operate. $,tank with di
which is very
of ammunition, firing without reason or targets.. They try to scare
coilless
is electri?-
800 meters, but
5. American military tactics consist mainly of a lot of firing and a waste
the enemy.
6. The trainees were. taught abo ctics of Genera
and whi use the America
tration eRear by units d
expose in-the rear echelons, and that such tactic
used with success. By such methods it is possible to get v
fuel. The American soldier was described as an adventurer,
character, who receives many financial bonuses. The americans are used
to money.
7. libout their own tactics in the use of machine guns, the trainees were
told that in practice their own unit would send out a company which
would establish machine guns on the flanks. Then they would send out
a provocation company whose purpose it would be to cause a counter-
attack. The company, would move back and the enemy while counterattacking
would be caught between the machine guns, which would have a wide field
of fire. Tchoslovak machine guns
this type othe use of new mounts
can bemain ile firing laterally.
are that the platoon's assignment must be accomplished and t :., ? _must
wave transmitter and somb4imes also a light machine gun. Standing orders
8. Each member of the reconnaissance unit is equipped with a s
gun, pistol, knife, and hand grenades; the platoon also has
fight back to its own unit. are surrounded, b
the last round from their s they must put in
all plans and orders writte
it quickly towards himoetfth this fast movement the man's neck is broken.
When the attacker needs a living prisoner, he comes to the enemy from
behind and quickly encircles the man's neck with his right hand. The
attacker then grabs hold of his own elbow and yanks the man sharply towards
himself. This takes the man's breath away. The students also were
taught special ways of binding the prisoners and immobilizing them.
9. The following methods for eliminatin _re taught: a). with a'
knife or by hand, b) with a belt or use of the guard's
steel helmet. The American helmet is especially good for this, since
it reaches deep into the neck of the soldier. This can be used when the
enemy has the chin strap fastened under his chin. The attacker comes
to the sentry from behind, grabs the helmet at the forehead and pulls
10. Other training concerned knowledge of terrain, topography, orientation
in terrain at night and- d day; practical training in orientation
SECRET CONTROL
U.S:. ODFFICIALS ONLY
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 Approved For Release 2007/06/08: CIA-RDP80-00810A005300880005-5
25X1
SECRET CONTROL -
U.S-. OFFICIALS ONLY
_3_
The purpose of,this t
the enemy lines and c
enemy's code words we
For all the things they needed to keep secret, the commander found a
substitute word. For instance, velitel (commander) - otec (father);
the tank = bachrac ("fatso"); military infantry = smeti (dirt), etc.
12. The trainees were also taught to operate the "RP" ultra,14hr twwe-
length transmitters. They also received one hour of training in Morse
nas" (The "fatso" is near us); that means that the tank is near them.
11. The trainees were taught the use of symbols and coded languag
instance, the unit might be transmitting the following: "Bach
13. The shortened course of the NCO school in Hamry lasted. three months.
commander, which were then hidden in the muzzles5 ~?/ tuns.
Code. For field problems, they received maps or
SECRET CONTROL
U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
CO 1 .O'-
SURE
S. efflC?MS O U
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"-r"_
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:.o
O' U
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S ET CONTROL,
U. S - . OFF` C A I ..-,QTLY
- -
g r a ad ' a :19 5,2 .. 'l~+~a,~y coo .sous +*d of wood Pram es
f i 11 e d i r~tih s tows ad 'gm 1.
2. Quarters of the Border Gu-ards (PS). O i Get (platoon,).
3. Military fir'$'Ag ra&ige4
4. Bort 0-card.
5. Training hill ff-`ow t; school,(}
6. Area of the 0 sa o:ce1 at Itafm .
SECRET CO"IP?~~:;
OFFICtaS
SECRET CO OL-
U. S. OFFICIAL,P _O iLY
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CLASSIFICATION sMR;
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE: AGENCY
FOR A '110 ..REPORT
COUNTY' Csochoslovskia
SUBJECT KOO School and Roco Rosanco TraainlM of the
23%6 Rifle Re gi nen at Ham-y
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF
INFO.
REPORT
CD NO.
DATE DISTR. 26 November 1954
NO. OF PAGES 5
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT. NO.
VC1I13 O00000U4COZ ' 3O Ioco,.:38190p iW 3Cfi110 W11 CIATIOtAL ORFROSIZ
OV M13 U11ITE BYAThh g1TCAC7 VUJI UQAI71C30 OP TITLII 10. SRCTIORS 793
AT30 H04. OP YCIS U. S. 0000. AS AUSU0R0. ITS MANSMISSIOU On REVEL'
4M0,7 07 173 COUVI UYO CO OR OOCRIP? OV AU UAAUYE:OMIGO POGOOA
IU MOUOOIMI) OV LAV1 VOU 0137:109UCTIOU OF TOIS POR:3 IS PRO N101700.
r20
30
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
1. Thig NCO school of the 23rd Rifle Regis-,ent is located near an
old ruined grain mill outside Haamry (I 49ol3a E The school consists of two
buildings0 In cum or 1952, the school had about 200 peoples At
other timee fl only a unit of about 30 men remained for guard Purposes,,
The school buildings were formerly used for the manufacture of bobbins
for Sewing machines0 It is '0elioved that the mane of the foracw f eto
acg YAr and The 'Shortened course of the school lasted tl)ea months. The
c .andcp of tho school L-u, Capt0 Skalichyp a S.o k9 Oho participat in
World War YR.
Besides the WCO school for the 23rd Regiment, a school
for the roeon issance platoon was also conducted. The commander of
this school was Jiri Barta9 a 2nd Lt. His superior teas the intelligence
Officer of the regiment, Backo (fnu) 0 The entire strength of the platoon
attended the school A 20 men. Each day before training began9 20
minutes of Q?politicaal enlightenment" took place,, This had to be
conducted by the trainees. The members of the platoon were chosen mostly
from the ranks of the Czechoslovaks. Communist Party,
The training consisted of baoic training and theory of reconnaissance.
The students learned to rec., nizo different types of aircraft and weapons
of the 'Western powers m mainly of the U.S. They were told that an
American division is able to fight with only one third of its strength9
since two thirds :is used for support. They also learned to recognize
uniforms and ranks of Western soldiers. About American military tactics,
they were told the followings
a) The Americans don't like to risk lives. Their offensive is psycho-
logical and based on material superiority0
b) They use aircraft primarily9 which drop incendiaries0
c) They bomb primarily the supply and communicationslines0
d) After an air aattaack9 they start with artillery and break through
with tanks.
CLASSIFICATION BERET
V NSRB
FRI
DISTRIBUTION
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25X1
t-'C R ET
e) Only t:aci: co:.iec the infantry; human life is highly valued.
The Americans attach frori a centralized spot; and attack in two
or three places. They do not use the wedge type of attack like
the Germans and do not use the squeeze like the Russians.
4. The trainees were told about new iLmerican weapons, e.g. a recoilless
weapon which weighs {bout 40 pounds, has a rocke projectile, is electri-
cally operated, can destroy a tank with direct fire at 600 meters, but
which is very inaccurate.
5. American military tactics consist mainly of a lot of firing and a waste
of ammunition, firing without reason or targets. They try to scare
the enemy.
6. The trainees were taught about the tactics of General Wanateine which
were considered good and which cou3d cause the aimericans a lot of damaged
ach as penetration into the rear by units dressed as i'merieans.
They were also told about the carelessness of the American soldiers,
especially those in the rear echelons, and that such tactics could be
used with success. By such methods it is possible to get vehicles and
fuel. The American soldier was described as an adventurer, of bad
character, who receives many financial bonuses. The `mericans are used
to money.
7o about their own tactics in the use of machine guns, the trainees were
told that in practice their own unit would send out a company which
would establish machine sans on the flanks. Then they would send out
a provocation company whose purpose it would be to cause a counter.
attack. The company would move back and the enemy while counterattacking
would be caught between the machine guns, which would have a wide field
of fire. The .,resent Czechoslovak machine wins have been converted for
this type of firing- by the use of new mounts they
can remain stationary while firing laterally.
8. i;a.ch member of the reconnaissance unit is equipped with a submachine
Can, pistol, knifes and hand grenades; the platoon also has a short-
wave transmitter and sometimes also a light mac",inc gun. Standing orders
are that. the platoon's assignment must be accomplished and then it must
fight back to its own unit. In case they are surrounded, before firing
the last round from their sutmachine -Fungi they must put into the sI z3.es
all plans and orders written on paper.
:9. The following methods for eliminatin sentries were taught: a) with a
knife or by hand, b) with a belt or string, c,) by use of the Guard's
steel helmet. The American helmet is especially good for this, since
it re'ches deep into the neck of, the soldier. This can be used when the
enemy hae the chin strap fastened under his chin. The attacker comes
to the sentry from behind, i.`rabs the helmet at the forehead and pulls
it quickly towards him0 With this fast movement the man?s neck is broken.
When the attacker needs a hiving prisoner, he comes to the enemy from
behind and quickly encircles the Laan's neck with his ii.,-ht hand. The
attacker then grabs hold of his own elbow and yanks the ran sharply towards
himself. This takes the rams breath away. The students also were
Vaught special ways of binding the prisoners and immobilizing them.
10. Other training concerned knowledge of terrains topo{;raphy, orientation
in terrain at night and during the day; practical training in orientation
with the cor:,pass and by the :;tar;;; recognition of noises in the night;
also s?ecopnition by ear of types of vehicles, units, nur_.ber, :iictanco,
F1iYP?ctions knowledge of camouflage, concealment, scouting, etcute word. For instance, velitel (commander) o otec (father);
the tank = b&chrac ("fatso"); military infantry = smeti (dirt), etc.
12o The trainees were also taught to operate the "RP" ultra short--wave--
length transmitters. They also received one hour of training in Morse
Code. For field problems, they received znapu of the ares from the
commander, which were then hidden in the muzzles of subrachine guns.
13. Tho shortened course of the NCO school in Hamry lasted three months.
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i,eL__end
:ia l;nti-tank barriers erected in 19". They consisted of wood frames
filled in vitb stones and gravel.
26 uarters of the Border Guards (i'3)0 One ceta (platoon).
3- !-Alitar; firm,; rancco
4. Border Guard o
50 '1'rr.dnin!- hill for the schoolo(gie)
60 -rea of the NCO school at Harry.
7. (not identified).
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