COTTBUS AIRFIELD

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A005700470009-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Sequence Number: 9
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/04/08: CIA-RDP80-00810A005700470009-2
COUNTRY East Germany REPORT
EVALUATION_~ I PLACE OBTAINED
DATE OF CONTENT
DATE OBTAINED
REFERENCES
PAGES 3 ENCLOSURES (NO. & rYPE~
REMARKS
CLASSIFICATION SECRE
L._DATE PREPARED
9 December 1954
1. The following air activity and aircraft were observed at Cottbus
airfield between 20 October and 12 November 1954:
20 October. Beginning at 0800, several Yak-18s made local flights
of 6 to 8 minutes duration at an altitude of 30( to 400 meters. The
take-offs and landings were made individually and at irregular intervals.
Air activity was discontinued between 1300 and 1400 and then continued
up to 1700.
21 October. Flying was started at 0700 by 8 Yak-11s which took off
individually at intervals of about 1,000 meters. After the take-off,
the aircraft made a left bank, climbed to an altitude of 400 to `i00
meters and assembled of two or four. The distance between the individual
aircraft of a formation was 1 to 2 wing spans. While flying in formation,
the aircraft sometimes disappeared from view. After about 15 mirnites, 8
aircraft flying in two close-order formations of 4 crossed over i;he field
at an altitude of 700 to 800 meters. PThile flying over the field, the
aircraft turned to the right at an angle of 90 degrees, continued flying
in close-order formation of 4, and disappeared from view. After i'lying
time of 30 to 35 minutes, the 8 aircraft individually approached for
landing at intervals of about 1,000 meters. It could not be observed when
the Formation of aircraft dispersed. After an interval of about 30
minutes, 8 aircraft took off in the same manner and made the same formation
flight. The procedure was repeated at irregular intervals up to about 1700.
In the meantime, individual Yak-11s took off and made local flights of 6 to
8 minutes duration. Air activity was discontinued at 1700.
22 October. Between 0800 and 1600, several Yak-18s practiced flaying, mostly
local flying at an altitude of 400 to 500 meters. The aircraft remained
aloft for 6 to 8 minutes. Some of them assembled in elements of two and
practiced formation flying in the vicinity of the field for about 10 minutes.
The interval between the two aircraft was about 100 meters. The ;~.ircraft
landed individually.
23 to 29 October. No air activity was observed. ??etween 1000 and 1230 on
29 October, the doors of the hangars were open but their interior could
not be observed. No aircraft were seen at the field and there was no air
activity. 1`to changes were observed on the installations at the field.
CLASSIFICATION SECRET
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Approved For Release 2008/04/08: CIA-RDP80-00810A005700470009-2
 Approved For Release 2008/04/08: CIA-RDP80-00810A005700470009-2
30 October. Between 0800 and 1600, there ~ no air activity. F?etween
1100 and 1230, I1-28s continuesly crossed ~~ w ~l~? The aircraft
individually approached from the south at ~ +4 to 5 mirLutes
and at an altitude of about 1,000 meters. ?~ ~ Il-28s were
1 to 5 November. No air activity was observed.
6 November. At about 13GG,,Q Yak-11s and 1 biplane were counted ir.
front of the hangars, the doors of which were open. Their interior
could not be observed from the distance. No additional aircraft were
seen at the field. There was no air activity.
9 November. Between 0800 and 1500, there was intensive air activity by
several Yak-11s and Yak-18s whic}- remained aloft for 6 to 7 minutes at
an altitude of 400 to 500 meters. The aircraft took off and landed
individually and at irregular intervals. After a pause of about 1 Y::our,
air activity was resumed. at 1330 and continued until about 160C.
10 November. At about 0800, 4 Yak-11s took off individually and at:
irregular, climbed to an altitude of 1,000 to 1,200 meters over the field
and made aerobatics, including loops, turns and right and left rolls.
After a flight time of about 20 minutes, the airoraft landed individually.
After about 30 minutes, the aircraft took off and male the same aerobatics.
In the meantime some Yak-11s made local individual flights. During the
;.afternoon, the same air activity continued up to about 1'70C.
11 Novembero There was little air activity by Yak-11 s. At. 0800, q Yak-11s
individually took off at intervals of about 1,000 meters, banked to the
left, climbed to ari altitude of about 500 meters and assembled in a formation
of 4. The distance between the individul aircraft was 1 or 2 wing :;pans.
After a flight time of about 30 minutes, the formation returned from the
northern direction, the formation dispersed and. the aircraft landed individually.
After about 1 h~~ur, the 4 Y`ak-11s again took off individually, practiced.
formation flying and landed individually at about 11CU. Pdo additional air
activity was observed after 1100.
12 November. Between 0800 acid 1400, formation flying was practiced by
4 Yak-11s as on the preceding day. Each aircraft too}; off 4 times and
re~~ained aloft for 30 minutes. Air activity was discontinued at 1400. 1
?_. On ~0 October, pilots from Cottbus airfield practiced parachuting over
Neuhausen airfield. At 14~=~0, a model AN-2 biplane approached form i;he
north and crossed over the field at an altitude of about 800 meters.
Approximately over the center of the field, 5 men jumped from the plane
in rapid succession. The back-pack parachute opende~immediately and the
parachutists landed approximately at the northern end of the airfield. The
aircraft banked to the left and then approached again while 5 men jumped
aft of each other and also landed at the northerr. edge of the field. The
jump:: were made from an altitude of 800 meters and took 2 1~2 minutes, as
was determined by means of a stopwatch. The back-pack parachutes wE~re white,
square and seemed to be larger than the round chutes usually obseruS~. They
were fitted in the aircraft by means of a rip cord 4 to 5 meters lam. 1~~
para9il~M/~ was additionally equipped with a smaller chest pack
f o r ~~ ~~. ~~iii ~ ~ ~ ~ ~A~i~ a~ ~r
Approved For Release 2008/04/08: CIA-RDP80-00810A005700470009-2
 Approved For Release 2008/04/08 :CIA-RDP80-00810A005700470009-2
SECRET)
1. Comments It .-:; believed teat Cottbus airfield s still occupied 25X1
b,y two battalions of the Cott;bus aeroclub. Air activity conducte;:' b,y
t'r~e individual tr=Lining .groups indicate
Yak-18s and advanced pilots on Yak-11s. 25X1
Comment. Probably routine parachuting by the flying personnel.
Chest pack par_LCh`,utes in addition to back-pack chutes were ureviously
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observed nn jumpers at Werneuchen airfield.
Approved For Release 2008/04/08 :CIA-RDP80-00810A005700470009-2