RIFLE RANGE IN BUDAPEST/HUNGARIAN AND SOVIET GRENADES

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP80T00246A000700720001-4
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
C
Document Page Count: 
11
Document Creation Date: 
December 20, 2016
Document Release Date: 
January 25, 2008
Sequence Number: 
1
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
April 29, 1957
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
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PDF icon CIA-RDP80T00246A000700720001-4.pdf328.24 KB
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Approved For Release 2008/01/25 : CIA-RDP80T00246A000700720001-4 USAF review completed. 0 ~a s SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR SPECIAL CONTROLS. IF ANY ~, 3 r-a a This material contains information affecting the INFORMATION REPORT National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C. PREPARED AND DISSEMINATED BY Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized per- CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY son is prohibited by law. COUNTRY SUBJECT DATE DISTRIBUTED .9 .Apr 57 Rifle Brags In Btdapest/Hungerian and Soviet 1 Soviet and NO. OF PAGES NO. OF ENCLS. s SUPPLEME T TO REPORT . ~~..o la UNEVALUATED INFORMATION 7h-is report is the result of a Joint collection effort of the Air Ybrce, the Any and CIA, and ie diafaam-tnated in accordance with the provisions of NSCID #7?J on file cti'.e '^; et tied _:kt t tl cf Hungarian Any firing range in Budapest. Included are the three types of targets used on this firing rangf Shaped like a long rectangle, it is about one thousand meters long from rest to west end Approximately 350 meters wide from north to south. At its eastern end there is a road wb3ch has a grate and, guard, and which affords entry to the firing range. To the east of the roan are several barracks which serve as living quarters for the permanent rangy detail which has a maastee? sergeant in charge of it. On the west side of the road, as you go to the east, there is another barracks which also s"vwx as 0 target storage facility. Then there is a lean-to construction with firing positions. Than comes the various firing courses which include a submachine gun range, a carbine and rifle range, a pistol range and a hand grenade course. Inch range is so set up that firing may be conducted at whatever distance the particular course being fired requires; thus, the carbine and rifle range may be fired at distances of 50, 100, 150 meths and longer. Across the westeata end of the firing range is a dirt mound with wooden boards not at its top. Is front of this embankment, the target pits for the carbine and rifle ranges are located. There is another dirt embankment on the southern edge of the firing range. 25X1 25X1 C ,-ON-F-I-A-9-1(-T-I A -L Page 2 Ns would walk up and down behind our firing positions and exhort to shoot 25X1 atraiabt and true and hit Tito-The Doc with the Chain. Note, 25X1 for the olitical officers p is we eyes to refer to them in disparaging terms, as for example, naming targets after then in a derogatory manner. This apparently was to build up hatred for the individual in disfavor.] When firing the rifle, three firing positions, prone,, kneeling, and 25X1 standing. All firing was done by commands. Our commando were, step up to the firing position, into the firing position, load, fire re si al and ob- struction finis-firs,. In the event of a mis-fire, to open 25X1 the bo rifle. hold the barrel of the le o n i*a u and raise our hand. 25X1 At least three types of targets we used on the firing range. A target witch is a silhouette of a man is used for pistol and sub-machine gun firing. A square target which has in its center a bull's-eye surrounded by various rings is used for pistol, carbine and rifle firing. Another square target which has the bust silhouette of a man is also used for pistol, carbine and rifle firing. In 1949, when we underwent our basic training courses, this last type of tar t was referred to by our political officer as Tito-'Jhe Dog with the Chain [iaj. qui to pie up the empty rasa ,11.-cases . 25X1 Safety precautions were observed when firing was being conducted in the firing U range. Da range officer_was in charge of the firing. Ho and the 25X25X1 political officers usually walked up and down in back of our firing positions, observing our firing. Red flags were flown from concrete posts. Guards were used where required. I 6. Ivory unit that used the firing range was required to bring its own ammunition. The unit firing was supposed to furnish its own tax t details. Firing was . conducted only in the daytime wdE= none was done at night. 25X1 7. two Hungarian fragmentation grenade,, 5'94 -1952 25X1 and one Soviet fragmentation grenade which may be or interest. LS*e on file Notice 3 - sketches of two Hungarian fragmentation grenades aml one gr3viet fragmentation grenade.,.] a. Hungarian fragmentation grenade - Weighing approximately 300.wi gommes this grenade can be thrown 30-50 meters by an average soldier. Similar to its German counterpart - the Potato NAaher - only amaai:ler, it haw a smooth metal body into one end of which is era?ewmd a woolen handle. The opposite end of the grenade is also threaded to allo5r attachment of additional grenades. during the Revolution this wan tee ? 25X1 quently done and a o e would be made which, when explrxled by being pulled into the path of an onrolning tank, would have eutficlent explosive force to bock off * tread or othervi ze, demage the task so that it would be immobilized, The body of this grrradx is painted black with red stripes. The grenade has two types of fuzee, one for immediate detonation upon impact and the other a time fuze which burns slowly when ignited and is light silver grey in color. There is a eirtker pin in the wooden handle of the grensale which igaaites or sets off ills fuze. This striker pin is inoperative because of a safety pin. When tha grenade is ready to be used, It is necessary to pull the safety pin. This action arms the grenade. b. Hungerian fragmentation grenade - This is a small, old type of grenade which was used in World War IT. It has a smooth metal body which is painted black with red stripes. It too has a safety pin at its base which must be removed to an the grenade. C-O-A l-I-D-B-I-T-IAA-L Pass 3 c. Soviet fragmentation Onmsds - Wsighi.ag gpproximatsly 4oo pumas this gremads has a grooved case Vhich is gray in color. It is supposed to 25X1 be a nee grounds. It has a safet at its base. 25X1 following , all classified CONFIDENTIAL. #1 - An overlay chart showing location of the Hungarian Army firing range in Budapest. #2 - A detailed sketch of Hungarian Army firing range in Bu apest. Included are the three types of targets on the firing range. #3 - Sketches of two Rungtrisn fragmentation grenades and of one Soviet fragmentation grenade.] Approved For Release 2008/01/25 : CIA-RDP80T00246A000700720001-4 Iff . V A v SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR SPECIAL CONTROLS. IF ANY This material contains Information affecting the INFORMATION REPORT National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws. Title 19. U.S.C. PREPARED AND DISSEMINATED BY Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation per- of which in any manner to an unauthorized per- CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY son Is prohibited by law. COUNTRY SUBJECT DATE DISTRIBUTED Rifle Range in Budapest/Hungtriaa and Soviet NO. OF PAGES NO. OF ENCLS. tr ades SUPPLEMEE TT Ia UNEVALUATED INFORMATION /&is report is the result of a joint collection effort of the Air Force, the Any and CIA, and is dt.sst tnatesd in accordance with the provis.icnis of 1NSCID #7.] 1. 2. on file Notiee setiid _keLh of Hungarian Any firing range in Budapest. Includ4 ass the three types of targets used on this firing range,Shaped like a long rectangle, it is abogt one thousand meters long fcan east to west and app_rt~dmately 350 meters wide from north to south. At its eastern end there is a road Which has a gate sad. guard, and which affords; entry to the firing ran&e^ To the east of the rural are several barracks which serve as living quarters for the permanent rang. detail which has a master sergeant in charge of its On the vest side of the road, as you go to the matt there is another barracks elhich also serves as 0 target storage facility.sn there is a lean-to construction with firing positions. Then comes the various firing courses which include a submachine gun range, a carbine and rifle Tangs, a pistol range and a hand grenade course. rangy is so not up that firing may be conducted at whatever distance the particular course being fired requires,; thus, the carbine and rifle range may be fired at distances of 50, 100, 150 meters and longer. Across the wettest end of the firing range is a dirt mound with wooden boards not at its top. In front of this embankment, the target pits for the carbine and rifle ranges are located. There is another dirt embankment on the southern edges of the fi$ng . range. 01-4 /G. 25X1 I I I I I C-O-N-F-I-D-$ 1t-T-I-A -I, Page 2 is a silhouette of a man is used for pistol and sub-machine gun firing. A sepnlta target which has in its center a bull.?s-eye surrounded by various rings is used for pistol, carbine and rifle firing. Another square target which has the bust silhouette of a man is also used for pistol, carbine and rifle firing. In 1949, when we underwent our basic training courses, this last type of tar t was referred to by our political officer as Tito-The Dog with the Chain 5i c5. He would walk up and down behind our firing positions and exhort [ to shoot 25X1 atraiaUt and true and hit Tito-The Dog with the Chain. Note: 25X1 When firing the rifle, three firing positions. prone, kneeling, and 25X1 standing. All firing was by commands. Our commands were. step up to the ^ firing position, into the firing position, load, fi ready, si al and ob- structionmis-fire]. In the event of a min-fire, re open 25X1 91 the bolt of our rifle, hold the barrel of the rifle pointing up and raise our In the eyes of the s was coon practice for the political officers to refer to them in disparaging terms, as for example, naming targets after them in a derogatory manner. This apparently was to build up hatred for the individual in disfavor. _.7 Safety precautions were observed when firing was being conducted In the firing range. E:::::% range officer who was in charge of the firing. He and the political officers usually walked up and down in back of our firing positions, observing our firing. Red flags were flown from concrete posts. Guards were used where required. Ivory unit that used the firing range was required to bring its own ammunition. The unit firing was supposed to furnish its own target details. Firing was conducted only in the daytime and none was done at night. and one Soviet fragaentation grenade which may be of interest. S*e on file I Notice 3 - sketches of two Hfungarian fragmentation grenades and one Soviet fragmentation grenade.] 25X1 25X1 two Hungarian fragmentation grenades j9~L9-1952] 25X1 a. Hungarian fragmentation grenade - Weighing approximately ;300-400 grams, this grenade can be thrown 30-50 meters by an average soldier. Similar to its German counterpart - the Potato Masher - only mmmU l.er, it hat a smooth metal body into one end of which is screwed a +,roaj!Dn hande. The opposite end of the nade is also threauded, to alloy attachment of additional grenades during the Revolution this was fro 25X1 quently done and a chain of grenades would be made which, when exploded by being pulled Into the path of an ont?oming tank, would have sufficient explosive force to knock off as tread or otaerwi.ae damage the tank so that it would be immobilized. The body of this grsna n is painted black with red stripes. The grenade has two types of fuzes: one for immediate detonation upon impact and the other a time fuze which burns slowly when ignited and is light silver grey in color. There is a striker pin in the wooden handle of the grenade which ignites or sets off the fuze. This striker pin is inoperative because of a safety pin. When the grenade is ready to be used, it is necessary to pull the safety pin. This action arms the grenade. b. Hungarian fragmentation grenade - This is a small, old type of gr.nsde which was used in World War II. It has a smooth metal body which is painted black with red stripes. It too has a safety pin at its base which must be removed to arm the grenade. Approved For Release 2008/01/25 : CIA-RDP80T00246A000700720001-4 C-O-11-7-I-D-E-H-?-I-A-L PUP 3 e. Soviet flagssatatiaa grenade - Weighing a.pp gienads has a grooved can which is grey in its base. 0 , all c following #1 - An ovtrlsy chart showing location of the H in Budapest. 2 - A detailed sketch of Hungarian Army firing are the three types of targets on the tiri 3 - Sketches of two Huagsriaa fragmentation gr fragmentation grenade.] end - C-0 A F-I-D-E-J-T-I-A-L Approved For Release 2008/01/25 : CIA-RDP80T00246A000700720001-4 roximtely 400 gins, this color. It is supposed to ngarian Army firing range u sage in Budapest. Included n g sage. enades and of one Soviet 25X1 lassified CONFIDENTIAL: 2 MEMIN Approved For Release 2008/01/25 : CIA-RDP80T00246A000700720001-4 LJ/\ I fFB6FTS 9 i~t-, Confidential ~gRR/NE 4 F! 5 1c'9N(>E ftwi _ ~~ 'BR/1RAtray T` ~r`og0. TE a5 CITY ~LRn - uop yF_ST 1.s ooo SNEE T 3 Confidential Approved For Release 2008/01/25 : CIA-RDP80T00246A000700720001-4 onf idential -- I Noll-fa.ivad, i13M1dan oL-r 7 dot 1-d 195 aabog N3aooM Nirrn 0Nno~y la(6 Confidential Approved For Release 2008/01/25 : CIA-RDP80T00246A000700720001- Confidential on IMm P'ATF ,QL7FeU47E F/It DE ?DMl~T~ON FJQ CjeE.t1QDE SNOU/U AT A--,c7 TIME FUZE