AREA EAST OF POLISH-GERMAN FRONTIER-BELT: TRANSITIONAL CHARACTER/COMMUNICATIONS/GENERAL ECONOMY/MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00926A006800110001-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 4, 2001
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 22, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

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U.S. Officials Only
CONFIDENTIAL
COUNTRY Poland
01 THE UNITED STATES. WITHIN THE MEANING Of TITLE II. SECTIONS 79S
AND 754. 01 THE U.S. CODE, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR RIME?
LATION OP ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT IV AN UNAUTHORI'LEO PINION II
SUBJECT Area East of Polish-German Frontier-Belt: Transitional
Character/Communications/General Economy/Military
Installations
PLACE ACQUIRED
(BY SOURCE) - 25X1A
DATE ACQUIRED
(6Y SOURCE)
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DATE DISTR. O--4- " ''e-.~;.5~
A
25X1X THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION REPORT NO.
Irk;,.
2. "In contrast to the territories close to the Polish-GermaZL frontier-belt, the areas
situated farther east have no specific character. While before World War II it
was rather typical farmland., the whole terrain changed to some extent during the
war. During this period some large industrial enterprises (b viously not fitting
into the economic pattern of this area) were transferred here from the Vest for
reasons of security from bombing raids, with the result that some districts of
these heretofore non-industrial Polish areas were transformed into heavily
industrialized centers. Only the southern part, close to the Czechoslovak frontier,
had from the very beginning a traditionally industrial character.
3? "These areas, being-in a state of transition, are characteristic of territory in the
process of transformation nil the following sections of this report will take up
the effects of this trans tion on communications, general economy, and military
installations.
Communications
4. "All vital highways cross this terrain in only a west-east direction, without having
any connections to north-south highways. This fact becomes4evident from a study of
the autobahn system which was constructed shortly before World War II. There
are the following autobahns:
(a) The-Berlin-Szczecin autobahn with its extension into the first-grade Szczein-
Koszalin (German: Koeslin)-Slupsk (German: Stolp)-Gdansk (German: Danzig) highway.
(b) The Berlin-Frankfurt/oiler autobahn with its extension of the highway on the
Polish side between Slubice (Frankfurt/Odra) and Poznan.
(c)- The Berlin-Forst-Legnica (German: Liegnitz)-Wroclaw (Gelman: Breslau) autobahn
leading into Upper Silesia.
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U.S. Officials Only
CONF
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
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C0.NFIDENTI? !:.'1' P',rVTr.'!T,,, l~..?.
"Parallel to the autobahns listed above, first-grade highways radiated from Berlin to
the east, as, for example, the pre-World War II Reichsstrasse No 1 highway which went
from Berlin to Kostrzyn (German: Kuestrin) to Gorzow (German: Landsberg) to Walcz
(German: Deutsch Krone) to Chojnice-Tczew (German: Koenigsberg/Ostpr). There was also
the Berlin Frankfurt (this segment goes via the autobahn)-Krosno (German: Crossen)-
Zielona Gora (German: Gruenberg)-Wroclaw highway.
6. "This east-west highway communication system in its entirety had only a fragmentary
connection to the north-south highway system. For example, there were connections to
the following second-grade highways: (1) the Trzebiatow (German: 2reptow)-Lobez
(German: Labes)-Kalisz (German: Kalies) highway; (2) the Gorzow (German:,Landsberg/W)-
Miedzyrzec (German: Meseritz)-Zie:Lona Gora (German: Gruenberg) highway; (3) the
Kozuchow (German: Freistadt)-Boleslawiec (German: Bunzlau)-Jelenia Gora (German:
Hirschberg) highway. It should be emphasized that the above three highways had
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practically no interconnections aside from some third-grade side-roads.
8, "The Slubice-Poznan section of the ,Berlin Frankfurt/Odcr autobahn is at present
being extended. The preparatory groundwork for this had already been done during
World War II, and fragments of this autobahn can be noticed at various points when
crossing the following area: south of Kownaty (German: Kemnath); Walowies (German:
Wallwitzer Berg); T,agow (German: Lagow); north from Lubrza (German: Liebenau bei
$chwiebus); south from Jordanowo (German: Jordan); Brojee (German: Braetz);
Rogoziniec (German: Rogsen).
"The first-grade highway called now Berlin Chaussee (Polish term: Szosa Berlinska)
which runs through Graby (German: Beatenwalde), Skwierzyna (German: Schwerin),
Przytoczna (German: Prittiach), and Wierzbno (German: Wierzebaum) is now under very
systematic daily conservation.and care.
10. "In 1952, a new project was started in this area. The second-grade highway connecting
Miedzyrzecs (German: teseritz)-Sw:Lebodzin (German: Schwiebus)-Sulechow (German:
Zuellichau) and Zielona Gora (German: Gruenberg) was not only greatly widened but
also covered with a new layer along its entire route. In addition, all curves
were cut out. Thus, it seems that this segment of the new first-grade highway
will be connected with another segment which since 1951 has been under construction
farther to the northeast between PIMa3, (German: Schneidernuhl)-Ujscie-Czarnkow-Wronki
and Miedzchod. On nearly all these routes the new first-grade highway follows the
tract of the former third or even fourth-grade side-roads. Consequently, it seems
logical that both segments (the distance from N.iedzychod to Miedzyrzecs is only around
40 kilometers) will be connected to form a new evasion /sic/ highway (Polish term:
rokada).
11. "Furthermore, it seems that this highway will eventually be extended in a southwest
25X1X direction, in the vicinity of Nowogrod (German: Naumburg/Bober), to cross the
Nisa River via the bridge in Forst.
12. another road branching off
from this 'rokada' see paragraph 12 will be constructed next year L195J. This
branch-off will begin in Miedzyrzec (German: Meseri.tz), go in the direction of
Gorzow, and then proceed farther to the northwest via the bridge (now under
reconstruction) over the Odra River near Krajnik Dolny (German : Niederkraenig ).. This
project was started last summer Lprobably 1.95.
13. "As the Zielona Gora-Kowa ?u;i (German: Neusaiz)-Prochowice (German: Parchwitz)
Wroclaw highway is still '.n excellent condition, a special highway system will be
formed (after the completion of all the constructions discussed above) which in its
final shape will. resemble an IX'. The diagonals of the 'X' will connect the north-
west with the south-east and the north-east with the south-west. The diagonal lines
will meet in the vicinity of Jordanowo (German: Jordan) where the 'X'-designed
scheme will be crossed by +1,,e autcz :;ahn.
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Economy
140 "Although some Industrial enterpr ises--d&aged during World War II or dismantled after
the ,war by Soviet authoritLes--were again set in operation,. farming, is still the
chief branch of the economy in this area along with forestry, especially In. its.
central part, between Per.l ine:e- ,li.sz (G,erras is Berl.. r-hen-Kal,ies) in the north and
Wegliniec (German: Kohifurt) and Bol.eslawiec (Ge-=s4m: Buxa.rlau) in the south. As in
other parts of the western territories, the national :lzed form of farming is predominant
here. State-owned, estates (.s s. are centered manly in the northern part of the
area while in its southern part ]tol.,k hozes prevail. The explanation for this is the
pre-war agricultural strur;tur-e.
15. "The northern hart (W s W 1 Porrreranl.a.) ras main" . composed of privately-owned
estates, whil.c in the southern part small am- -holders were settled. Going deeper
into this problem it should be added, that while it the. southern part new settlers
from Central Poland or from. behind the :thing L/R,J1,ver line form the majority of the
populace, in the north quite a, number of Germans, can still be found on the state-owned
estates working there as laborers. Of these German;; Qnl.y a limited number are auto-
chthonvtzs , Most of them are rmz refugees from Eastern. Prussia or other parts of
former German territories, who were stopped in their attempt to escape farther west
and consequently settled in Wes ,tern Pomerania. a~- PR laborers. In line with the new
Warsaw policy towards Germans, all these people are treated. as equal to the Polish
population. Even special. German schools are now organized in the Szczecin and
Koszalin (German: Koesl.in) :counties covering he northern part of the area under
discussion. Rye and. potatoes are the xraain agricultural products raised. :i xi. this
northern part with the exception of the Stargard. (Geantra,n : Stargarri,) ;a where the
main planting is in sugar beets;.
16. "In contrast, the centra]. and. southern parts of the subject area are outstanding by
reason of a, greater varic: y of products s, fcsr e: ?mni -e L
the wine-grape cultivation
near Zielona Gore, where e already an, area of over 8,000 Lhectaresg is covered with
vineyards. Farther, south, beyond Bole s..awiec (German: Buanzlau), large areas are
under cultivation for flax and hemp to be used in the fat or textile industries
respectively. In addition, in the lout :, on the hilly slopes of the Iserskie and
Karkonosze mountains (lee ti9-axed F iesentgabirge) ~ there is large scale cow and sheep
breeding. 11 17- "In the areas where stage gowned, estates form, the rm..u branch of farming, another
rather vital institution can be found,. As this.-branch of farming is highly
mechanized, a net of machine repair-stations was organized. These machine-
stations, equipped with modern workshop,: and tools have at their disposal a
reserve of tractor and truck pools that in certain emergencies can be used for
transportation purposes. As the state :..s . the one and only authority for these
stations, it is in a position-to direct trarnsport ,t:i.on-co.lumnis ,': " to cover the
most varying need 0 Up to the preN,~ent it s stall rash d.ifl.i lt to, make out the
exact location of all of these stations (they are ,mown -under he name POM -
ranstwowe Osrodki Maszyn.ove.-state-owned r ~.r in center o). Just from information
available at present, it is evident., that they are forming a net along the more
eminent strategical line of transportation.
_18. "The net of machine-statiodts for kolkhozes (known in Poland under the name SOM -
Spoldzielcze Osrodl i law zynot e - cooperative machirie-stations) are much more poorly
equipped. While the transportation possibilities of the SOM net are on a much lower
scale than those of the POM net, SON on the other hand offers permanent repair
services in the field..
19. "The majority of industrial activities in this area beyond the frontier-line have a
rather accidental character. Quite a number of factories constructed here during
World War II were just placed in this location for reasons of security without any
consideration bei.,ng given to economic factors" Examples of this are : the former
chemical plant which is now a synthetic fibre plant in Gorzow (German: Landsberg/w);
the huge steel -construction plant in Zielona fora which wa largely rebuilt during
the war; the big foundry in. Chocianow (German:" btzenau) which was :Located in a spot
nearly completely without any ind.txstr.. at all. and the large foundry and. heavy
metallurgical factory In Iowa Sol, :;ral more examples could be given to illustrate
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INLY
the complete lack of logical economic reasoning for establishing industries in places
lacking natural raw imater_tal, energy . eso ?ces and natural marketing opportunities,,
Nearly all these enterpri, e were badly damaged during the war or dismantled after
the var` under? the claim of Brepar?ati n from. Germany. Only part, of these plants
could bey rebtuit".
20. "At preset the ivi;n industrial centers are the folloif:.ag
(a) Gryfiee (German: Gre1i'enberg):
foodstuff, sugar and, tiler.
(b) Biaiogard. (Ger: an::he.igard.) and neighboring Ke:r"Uno (Garman: Koerlin):
light metga ta.imber, textile, foodstuff and leather industries. Also
one of the largest so4sp-f?a,etorles.
K osn (Germano,a1
Stone, g1:~]n`_ s and cerw. ic, .
(d) Zielona Gora (Garza : Gruc,nberg):
The most active inthist;rial center in the entire area (also the capital of
Zieleniogorsl,i_ cotunty) :
.ego Nowotki B xmeta.llurgical plant producing metal constructions for
bridges, cranes, axf:e.wrheei.s for railway-cars (especially for wide-
gauge: Soviet type ra,aels) .
Foundry
A plant producing m;aine:ry for the textile industry
Carpet factory
Brush-ware factor y
() Three wr?i ne?.factories processing local.. vintages
(e) Nowa Sol (Gen: Neusalz):
(l) Foundry
Factory specializing in f;c :: r. nuf c~turc of large tubing and pipes for
b
(3)
(f)
.(g)
su
bia,-system Textile industry
Shipyard specializing ..n smaller--type river Ea.-tk-ers and. barges
Zagan-Zary (German: Sa gan.Sorau) :
textile glass industries, machinery production
Ilowa (German: Haihau) :
Site of proposed spinnery center (u Wder? ki Year f Ian)
(h) Gozd.ni.ca, (Geerma, : ?r : iw% 3.i da~~a) ;
(i)
a fertilizer factory was set C'> o::r?ation
the traditional fire-brick center 1s) Lo be contir-iUej,
Bolesiawiec and. Lw owek (Bunziau ?= loewrenberg) :
center of basalt; granite and stone quarries.
In the Bo.lesi.awiec area, (in accordance w` th the Six Year Plan). the largest
sulphuric acid --:I ant to date wi.ll.. be created in 4Wizow.
The recently re-opened copper mines will form the basis for the copper
industry.
In nearby Grp-'ow Siaski (Geer r J eifenr sera I Gaij )
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(j) Jelenia Gora. (German Hirschberg) :
besides the traditional textile, stone, glass and ceramics industries, there
are newly -established. metallurgical (machine -constructicfn) and artificial
fibre industries.
(k) Kowary (German-. Schmiedeherg)
south of this locality, there is uranium ore excavation in the mountains.
21. "Only very few products of the industries located. ,in the described area can be used
within local markets. The majority of the products are either exported to the USSR
Ouch as7 uranium ore products or the heavy metallurgical production at the plants
in Zielona Gora and Nowa Sol)) or othe:r'yise used. for large-style State investments.
Military Installations
22. "The ' area .is traditionally extre .ly rich in special mi.l.ita y installations. There
are military barracks dispersed, all over this section, and. nearly without exception
they have all been completely rebuilt and modernized.
23. "There are also huge maneuver-'ounnds scattereri all over the terrain. The chief
centers of these maneuver-gro' d-s are:
(a) The 'Drawsko' (German: ?Dramher'g') mane'uver'-ground, which is divided into three
sub-areas assigned to various unit categories:
(1)
C2)
7,iemsko (Germano Zam.zow)
Infantry
Konotop (German: Kontopp)
Armored.
Prostynia (German: Wild-forth)
Artillery
The Drawako maneuver-ga?ound which is connected on its eastern end with another
complex of maneuv?er-grounds near Szc ,ecinek (German: Neostettin) is one of the
largest of its kind in the Cectra3 European area. The civilian population is
not admitted to this area and only very scarce information slips out from this
spot. The maneuver-ground is ` nder^ the Fourth Military District; in. Bydgoszcs.
The loth Infantry Regiment and part of the 86tl , nti a.ir?craft Regiment form the
permanent gar?r~ison. (This information is from Autumn 1952).
(b) The _'Wedrzym' (Ge n: Winder ) maneuver-? ?ourA is located in the central part
of the described area, in the vicinity of' the newly cFonnstructed Fra mfu?t%C=::ier-
Poznan autobahns.
this maneuver-grourA, which wa: I. n existence before World War II,
has been enlarge' in its southern as well r ea -tern direction.
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'Special installations' can b? traced on the eastern side of these maneuver-grounds
in the area of Ku?rako (Gear; n: Kw-zip), Pleski (Germ n: Peetzig) and Wysoka (German,:
Hochwalde). Even during the 'war, these three localities were connected with a branch-
off of the railway-line. Huge camps were erecte=d in this area. The present
condition, and use of they:-,y installations is still =knot, n. (:information on the
existence of all these installations - covering an area of at least 15 kilometers -
during the war comes from German sources.)
(c) 'Ciborz' (known as 'Tibor Lager' during World W c^ II) maneuver. -ground. Apart
from the motorized. infantry :regiment which is said to be stationed here, the grounds
are used by other garrisons quartered in, the vicinity. The large forest situated
between Ciborz and Wegrzmnice (German--. Ulbersdorf) is utilized quite often as
auxiliary grounds during large-scale maneuvers.
(d) The 'Swietoszow' (German: :Neuha w~r) maneuver -ground is situated between the
Kwisa and the Bober Rivers (Ger?mpr Baober and Quisse). This camp has also been
recently enlarged. Soviet Eani' :?e st-::.paned in the Swietoszow camp while Polish
units are stationed on the ea:,- ~-A. sidr the Maneuver -grounds in Pstraze (German:
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Strang) L ot/ .listed in NIS Gazeteer for either P:,` ,nd o : r
.
e
southern aid northern' ections Of the rranetiaver
r-o~ank
lar
g
g
TV
recent
In the northern E eati n the y e ; rece :t enlargement,
Soviet Army is ins tt ~rf Reid near Zagan (German:
Sagan) and Sprotawa (Germa'n : 2,prottg.u ) for i t r7e roil Ied. squadrons.
"These main n : v -g c~x~xGd, , on Which huge rrdii.i t,r n 't;w :ion take place
practic fly all,
year around., are flanked by another Sov"I.e t A mn con.cehtration in
the northern section. This concentration occup7.e:. the large- territories east of
Bialogard (Gcx ah: elgard.). There 'iz another canr (:= ntxrFj.tio ' cif Sovie't';
on the soiithi a F-; o t ?- ?_. Uri s
,r1euver-ground are nd Legnica ` rm n: Ii gxli ;z'. ).
Tfhe German Genera.,-1: Staff contemplated asi,1.
Was in existence before W~ . r id t d .A~ 3i; 4~~ d ? stem., 'W 1iC~1
WA-Y. Ii
, as a defense , 4y , >r i"~r protection against
any ev0r~t
. from t ie
t
.
wa 3
;.
this tradition German defense system is now under rep r, t ar?t;ion t_ ra "t be idea o
operating 3 aF rk1(l..' ~ nt ~ t ins-base (Po11 , r ~ jRk > k r
the s h re ete: h t i z t,_ r to .ns m y .~ ,, ra, ,n c~wa)', within
h
"In line with thesse plans it ersa
l
~.s that parallel . d d the tt o $,:usl of the
communicaLion ,yoteem, w _r ho se. and dumps have 'bey r . s t c aed ':r'i ;hetiee maneuver
areas.- ?;a.r r lermoi e': thi Q -0rl:r;tr
F action is I3arall.ci to ; e o,rg nd.l za't,"if 1t of the
auxiliary facilities which are offered by the State-citrnned ,.,-totes With POM
~neit
LAvailabl, at the ?crap Library is a map t dx
of Poland, drawn to a scaL .~ ~ Sic. t~ 1r ~ ,.r rea
ItA" and hh s
are The '!en :ae a s.F,.1"..t.i:~o as Sleetro-
> awwompany1ng "egen Also available at the CIA Map Library is a larger
map, drawn to a ,scale of 1:100,-000 which appears to he an elaboration
and which covers of Sketch "A?,
an. area extending from the flaltic Sea to the Czech border of Poland,
This map shows..the locations of many industrial-arid military installations and has an
CONFIDENTIAL
US OFFICIALS ONLY
754.21
754.5
117.115
122.172
780
722
722.1.02
741.0,
238.21
55M
55M
55M
55M(4M)
55M
55M
55M
55m'
55M
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