OBSERVATION OF GARRISONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A005300940008-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 8, 2007
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: November 1, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/06/08: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005300940008-5
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
Thus material contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defines of the United Matra within the mean-
Ind of the Ltaplonate Laws. Title 1a U.l.C. leas. 703
and 704, the tesnemlaalon or revelation of which In
any manner to an unsuthod" person Is prohibited
by law. 25X1
SECRET--U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
COUNTRY Bulgaria
SUBJECT Observation of Garrisons
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
DATE DISTR. 15 November 1954
NO. OF PAGES 3
REQUIREMENT No. RD
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. Three large barracks, one after another, are located at the southeiet exit of
Lyubimets and on the north side of the road leading to Svilengrad.
2. The first is an artillery barracks. Five or six 45 =. antitank guns and
some horses tied up in a corner were observed. A guard in front--of the
entrance and men with artillery shoulder boards were also seen..
At the second barracks, a guard and men with infantry epaulets were observed.
The third barracks is for Border Guards. .
There are four 2-story buildings, 40 x 50 meters in.size, occupied by troops
(with black shoulder boards?) in front of the station. at Svilengrad and along
the railway line.
6. A loading platform was observed 22 kilometers before Svilengrad. It was
250-300 meters long and in very good condition.
Garrison at Samokov
7. A noncommissioned artillery officer rejoining his unit at Samokov stated
that he belonged to the first regiment of that garrison, probably the 1 Light
Artillery Regiment.2
8. At the south exit of Samokov, the following were noted in the barracks:
a. Four or five heavy guns with horizontal barrels which appear to be
122 mm. Model 31-37;
b. About ten covered tanks lined up;3 and
c. Two weapons, possibly 152 mm. guns, Model 35 or SU-76.
SECRET--U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
(NOTE: Woshlnpton distribution indicated by "Jr, Field dittribsdim? . `'; "J
Approved For Release 2007/06/08: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005300940008-5
 Approved For Release 2007/06/08: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005300940008-5
SECRET--U.S. oFFICIA.LS ONLY 25X1
9, At the occasion of a football game between Bulgarian and Albanian military
teams, the following were identified:4
a. Some artillery officers and men;
b. Some noncommissioned tank officers and men; and
c. One officer and some men of an auto transportation unit.
10. The Interior Troops camp between Samokov and Borovets is still unoccupied.
Comments:
1. In view of the good condition of buildings and uniforms of the troops, it
appears that the Lyubimets garrison is a permanent one, which includes at
least one artillery group, and one infantry battalion.
2. Outside of the 1 Light Artillery Regiment (and the 7 Artillery Regiment
upon which we have no information), the garrison at Samokov undoubtedly
comprises a tank unit (battalion?) and an auto transportation unit.
These tanks have been
noted for three weeks. There are apparently more than 10 tanks, since
it appears that second row is aligned behind the first.
4. The number of military spectators (100 or 200 at the most), was small for
an Army event, and is probably the result of a large part of the garrison
leaving for maneuvers.
Approved For Release 2007/06/08: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005300940008-5
 Approved For Release 2007/06/08: CIA-RDP80-0081OA005300940008-5X1
70
Appendix
SECRET--U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Barracks at Samok
SECRET--U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Approved For Release 2007/06/08: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005300940008-5