EXERCISES IN THE AREA OF THE WITTSTOCK FIELD TRAINING GROUNDS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A006900170009-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 28, 2008
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: April 19, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/10/28: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006900170009-2
COONTRY,
TOPIC
CLASS
East Germany
REPORT
Exercjses in the Area of the Wittstock Field Training Grounds
EVAEUAT
RITE OF
DATE OBTAINED
PAGES.,.._.._ _....6.El
ON. a TfP
.D PREPARED.
19 April 1955
1. At 2200 on 20 March 1955, a column of 20 prime movers coming from the 25X1
direction of Zechliner Strasse with 100-mm AT guns, 2 T-34s and 31 trucks
drove toward Dossow. 25X1
On 21 March, Forst Neuendorf (east of Dossow) and the Paulshof-Jaegerphuhl-
Hammelstall area (east of Dadow) was heavily occupied by troops. The
Gadow-Dossow road was blocked off from 1200 until 1900. Fifteen trucks
were identified in the area east of Gadow. 25X1
At 0330 on 22 March, a column of 6 tanks of a new type and about 90 trucks
drove toward the training grounds from the direction of Zootsen Dossow. At
0730, soldiers wearing red-bordered black epaulets and trucks assembled in
the area of the Wehe Hills. Tents of a headquarters and numerous trucks
were identified in Forest Sections No 116 and 117 and in areas of new
identified: 25X1
20 JS tanks
48 T-34 tanks
32 heavy and medium SP guns
heavy AT guns
0
30 guns with prime movers, jowS
11 with prime movers, 60 medium ium AA guns, 60 light
AA guns of abut 20 mm inol uns of armored personnel
carriers, 12 RL, 24 armored s personnel carriers.
Most of the vehicles had white camouflage paint. 25X1
After 1700, the units assembled and lef$ toward teuruppin-Aheinsberg-Zechlin
and Raegelin. 25X1
CLASSIFICATION SECRET
"- Approved For Release 2008/10/28: CIA-RDP80-00810A006900170009-2
lanti s. Six new type tanks and many trucks 25X1
were seen in Forest Section No 101. At 1830, approximately 60 truoks25X1
coming from the direction of the Zechliner Strasse with 15 100-ate AT guns
and soldiers wearing red-bordered black epaulets moved toward Dossow. 25X1
2. On 22 March, troops and material assembled in the area of Zechlin village
Rheinsberg and Frankendorf. material and motor vehicle 25X1
 Approved For Release 2008/10/28: CIA-RDP80-00810A006900170009-2
SECRET
3. In the afternoon on 21 Marsh, heavy drum fire was heard from the direction of
Dranse-Schweinrich for approximately 30 minutes.
the heath between Sewekow and Berlinehen (north of Dranse) was occupied y
groops on 21 March which launched a practice attack toward Neuruppin. After
22 March, loadings were began in Wittstock and Dranse during daytime and at
night.
At 1800 on 23 March, 8 AT guns, 2 tanks, 4 trucks carrying mortars and
approximately 37 other trucks were entrained at the Wittstock railroad
station.
4. From 23 to 25 March, two shipments with tanks, AT guns and trucks were
entrakned at the Wittstock railroad station. Five shipments with tanks,
25X1,
guns, mortars, AL guns and trucks coming from the direction of Dranse passed
through the Wittstock railroad station and proceeded toward Pritzwalk Meyenburg.
Comment, Information received indicated that the 12th Gds Tank Div c. 25X1
conducted a winter practice in the eastern sector of the Wittstock field
training grounds and farther to the east from 15 to 22 March. During the same
period, the 18th Mecz Div also conducted.a winter exercise, the no h and
waste" nart of the troon t -4- grounds. 25X1
According to e presen report, 2bAl
it appears 25X1
possible that a two divisions conducted a joint exercise in the entire
area of the troop training grounds. This assumption is supported by reports
on troop movements, according to which major elements of the 18th Mee% Div
were entrained for shipment to their posts at the stations of Bheinsberg,
Lindow, Gransee and Fuerstenberg upon completion of the exercises. Other
information indicated that these practices were held with air force units
participating. The drum fire mentioned in paragraph 3 may have been confused
with bombing practices.
Approved For Release 2008/10/28: CIA-RDP80-00810A006900170009-2