MILITARY ACTIVITY IN PLZEN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A008000610006-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 27, 2010
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: August 18, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/27: CIA-RDP80-0081OA008000610006-3
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENTIAL
Czechoslovakia
COUNTRY REPORT
Military Activity in Plzen
EVALUATION PI ACE TAINED_.I
DATE OF CONTENT
DATE OBTAINED DATE PREPARED 18 August 1955
REFERENCES
PAGES 2 ENCLOSURES (NO. & TYPE)
REMARKS
1. Prior to late April 1955, a motorized artillery unit was observed
in the Artillerie-Kaserne northeast of the Bory convict camp.
The prisoners of the camp always used to talk cf an artillery
regiment. In the fall of 1954, about 10 to 12 prisoners were
detailed for work in the barracks. This fatigue detail was called
"delostrelestvo veleni" (artillery detail) on the daily time-table.
Officers and NCOs with artillery insignia were repeatedly observed
after December 1953. Once, 12 guns were seen on the yard of the
barracks, and it was repeatedly observed that soldiers trained with
4 to 6 unidentified guns, presumably 150 mm, consisting of split-
trail gun carriage, pneumatic tire recessed solid wheels, muzzle
brake and a gun shield angled on both sides; the length of the
gun barrel from the muzzle to the gun shield was about 2.50 to 3 m.
The unit was stationed at a troop training ground in the Dobrany
area (Dobrzan, N 50/L 03), in August and September 1954. In spring
1954, the unit received recwilits. 1
2. irior to early May 1955, armored troops occupied barracks situated
north of the Artillerie-Kaserne and separated from these barracks
by the Kaptirova ulica. The soldiers of these troops wore khaki-
colored uniforms, grey-green combinations and dark brown leather
helmets, occasionally with tank insignia. About 10 to 12 tanks
were observed in the barracks area, and twice about 6 to 8 tanks
accompanied by trucks were seen leaving the barracks. The tanks
had bogie wheels and no track supporting rollers, wedged noses,
rotatable turrets, barrels suspended higher than a man's height
and protruding 1,5 to 2 a)6ver the front edge of the tank, and
cylindrical containers on both sides of the rear. The takk unit
also left for the training ground in the Dobrany area.
~.nnrr A-j-.I l(')Nti'TT 11'TAT.I
Sanitized Copy Approved or Release 2010/07/27: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA008000610006-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/27: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA008000610006-3
CONFIDENTIAL
3. In th
the f
and
Civilians moved into these barracks before Christmas 1954?
The troops formerly stationed in the barracks were transferred
to an outer district of the town. 3
4. Motor vehicles loaded with gasoline containers we
entering and lea ' fuel depot in the area 1
west of t of camp and west of the roa
(N 50/L D ks were also seen there. The'-1-epot was
appareiltl
Comment The present report indicates that the Artillerie-
aserne, also known as "Na Borech" barracks, was occupied by
parts of an artillery regiment. Prior to this report only
artillery of the 11th Rifle Div was presumed to be stationed in
Plzen (Pilsen). Ah artillery division with 152 mm guns is
eported for the first time. It remains to be seen whether the
reformation was incorrect or whether the artillery pieces belonged
to a corps or army artillery.
Comment. Probably the Armed SP gun Regt of the 11th Rifle
iv, listed in Plzen, iststationed in these barrackU -
]Comment. The fuel depot was previously known.
50X1-HUM
ft
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/27: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA008000610006-3