MILITARY ACTIVITY IN THE TEMPLIN-VOGELSANG-BERNAU-KRAMPNITZ- SOUTH OF BERLIN AREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A006000660008-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 30, 2010
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: January 20, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/30: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006000660008-8
CLASSIFICATIONSECRE
COUNTRY East Germany REPORT
TOPIC Militarvctivity in the, Templin-+Voarelsanz-Bernau-Krampnitz- south of
Rarlin Arpa
EVALUATION
DATE OF CONTEN
DATE OBTAINED DATE PREPARED
REFERENCES
PAGES r 3 ENCLOSURES (No. & TYPE)
REMARKS
Prior to 29 December 1954: Camp Vogelsang (4803) in Templin was occupied to
capacity by soldiers wearing red-bordered black epaulets with tank and
motor transport insignia. The unit was allegedly a tank unit. It was learned
that the camp was to serve as quarters for armored units exclusively in the
future.
2. Beginning on 22 December, unusually-large groups of 2, 3, or 4 new M-3
armored personnel carriers and numerous factory-new tru-1-a
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sang
i
3. On 24 December, a new type of sedan with four seats, similar to the former
German Army Volkswagen, was seen for thO first time in Vogelsang. ThI sedans
were factory-new They were definitely not jeeps. 50X1-HUM
4. Between 24 and 31 December, barracks section which had been dismantled in
Camp Vogelsang were shipped toward Prenzlau.
5. In the afternoon on 23 December, artillery firing practice was held in
the Templin training area. The rtillery pieces fired individually and
at battery and battalion level.
6. At about 0945 on 5 January, a column of approximately 12 trucks, which
came from the direction of Hirschfelde, proceeded toward Werneuchen
southeast of Bernau. The trucks towed 6 x 85-mm AT guns and were occupied
by approximately 160 soldiers. The guns were being 50X1-HUM
emplaced at the western exit of Werneuchen while the soldiers from the other
trucks deployed in the terrain, jeep which apparentl9 repreawnted
the enemy, was fired at with real cartridges an ank cartridges. 50X1-HUM
7. Prior to 3 January, the Kavallerie Schule (2161) in Krampnitz was still
occupied by approximately 12,000 soldiers who wore red4bordered black
epaulets with tank, artillery] motor transport and sigra4 insignia.
Training concentrated on drill, record firing with carbines and submachine
guns and field training in groups up to platoon and company level. 50X1-HUM
8. In the morning of 24 December and 2 January 4 two-axle armored personnel
carriers practiced driving in the terrain.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/30: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006000660008-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/30: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006000660008-8
SECRET
50X1-HUM
9. In the morning of 27 December, 5 tanks including T-34/85 tanks
turret of this tank was lower and the gun barrel was about 1 meter longer
than those of the other tanks. It had an estimated caliber of 100 mm. 50X1-HUM
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and 1 tank of the new typ left the installation for 50X1-HUM
driving practice in the terrain. ank resembled a T-34 tank; The I
10. On 2 January, firing practice was held at the firing range throughout the
day.
In the morning on 3 January, a column of 20 three-axle armored personnel
carriers left the installation. 50X1-HUM 1
The vehicles were occupied by only one driver. Until about 1600, they
practiced dgployment and assembling under the supervision of an officer
and 2 NCOs.
11. At about 1500 on 30 December, an armored vehicle of an undetermined type
was seen at the Rangsdorf railroad station.
Armor plates almost covered the four wheels which had pneumatic tires.
The armor plate over the engine in thg front slanted. The vehicle had
an estimated capacity of 10 soldiers. 50X1-HUM
12. Between 2000 and midnight On 30 December, 500 to 700 soldiers participated
in a night exercise in the Kummersdorf restricted area. The exercise
included an assault against field fortifications.
Comment. According to available information, the 111th Tank Regt of
the 25th Tank Div is believed to be permanently stationed in Camp Vogelsang
in Templin. It is possible that the 162d Tank Regt of the 25th Tank Div
also transferred there after the completion of the fall maneuvers since, after
that date, it has not been observed in its previous quarters in Oranienburg;
there are no indications that the regiment is stationed in Prenzlau.
Comment. The observation indicates that the exchange of motor vehicles
of units of the 25th Tank Div stationed in Vogelsang made good progress.
Comment. These new sedans with four seats were also observed
with the 9th Tank Div in Zeithain during the second half of December. It
cannot be determined whether the observation of these vehicles is an
indication of a general reequipping or not.
Comment. After the construction of permanent barracks buildings in
Vogelsang these temporary buildings were probably no longer needed. No
information has been received on their future use.
Comment. It is believed that elements of the U/i Arty Regt of the 25th
Tank Div stationed in Prenzlau conducted firing practices.
Comment. The AT guns and the trucks presumably belonged to the 71st
Light Arty Brig from Bernau. Exercises of this unit were observed in this
area also in 19540
Comment. Training observed in Krampnitz is normal. The description
of the new tank fails to furnish new indications but confirms available
information.
Comment. The new vehicle appears to be a road-bound armored vehicle
f a new type which may be used by military police.
SECRET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/30: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006000660008-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/30: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006000660008-8
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/30: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006000660008-8