PONTON BRIDGE DIVISIONS IDENTIFIED IN THE PRC

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00250A000100380001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 26, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: October 1, 1979
• Content Type: REPORT

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Imepery analysis report
Penton Bridge Divisions Identified
In the PRC (S)
Top Secret
I op Secret
IAR-0062/79
OCTOBER 1979
Copy 167
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PONTON BRIDGE DIVISIONS IDENTIFIED IN THE PRC (Sj
INTRODUCTION
1. (TSR) At least 12 ponton bridge divisions have been newly identified in the People's
Republic of China (PRC; Figure 1 and Table 1). These divisions were identified as a result of an
NPIC reevaluation of photographic signature criteria. This reevaluation caused an NPIC upgrad-
ing of unit size and does not represent actual upgrading by the PRC.
BASIC DESCRIPTION
2. (TSR) The reevaluation revealed that each ponton bridge regimental area consists of a
large vehicle storage area with sufficient covered storage for approximately 100 to 140 wheeled
vehicles.
In addition, the overall size of the regimental
area is significantly smaller than that of the combat regiment. Each ponton regiment contains
approximately four small messhalls with three to four single-story barracks per messhall and does
not have a multistory administration building or auditorium. This smaller size reflects the fewer
personnel assigned to a ponton bridge regiment.'
3. (TSR) Each ponton bridge division contains three to four regimental areas within approx-
imately a 10-nautical-mile radius. The division headquarters area is adjacent to one of the regi-
mental areas and contains a multistory administration building, an auditorium, and various sup-
port buildings (Figures 2 through 4).
4. (TSR) Utilizing the new signature criteria, 12 ponton bridge divisions were identified
(Table 1). All of the newly identified units are equipped with TPP ponton bridge sets with the
exceptions of the division at Huangshi (Huang-shih)/Echeng (0-cheng) in Wuhan (Wu-han) Mili-
tary Region and the regiment at Wuxi (Wu-hsi) in Nanjing (Nan-ching) Military Region. These
units are equipped with PPS heavy girder floating bridge sets. The PPS is manufactured at Guangji
CONCLUSION
5. (TSR) It can be concluded from imagery analysis that a ponton bridge division is proba-
bly organized as outlined in Figure 5. The regiments are probably organized as described in the
DIA Table of Organization and Equipment for the PRC.'
6. (TSR) Each military region has at least one ponton bridge division with the exceptions of
Wulumuqi (Wu-lu-mu-chi) and Chengdu (Chang-tu). Each division is on or near a major river and
a major lineof communications.
Top Secret IAR-0062/79
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Top Secret RUFF
ULAAN BAATA ?
.H SF
eqia.u.
~. F Bin T .
ti. n
J hlll:~
~ \,_ KUNMINU 3
FIGURE 1. PONTON BRIDGE DIVISIONS, PRC
(TSR) All applicable KEYHOLE imagery acquired through
in the preparation of this report.
Keyed to Table 1
" u% r11:r`
NPIC 57838
was used 25X1
DOCUMENT
1. DIA. DI-220-1-72, Table of Organization and Equipment, Peoples Republic of China, Jan 72 (SE-
CRET)
REQUIREMENT
Project 130143NF
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. The ma be directed to
1 Asian Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
Top Secret
fr.
Shuangchengiie
4*
C l-I I N
C:F1E.Nil Cili Chengdu
2 . l npq'g 10 ?
Y..~f -5,
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Top Secret RUFF
Table 1.
Ponton Bridge Divisions in the PRC
(Keyed to Figure 1)
This table in its entirety is classified TOP SECRET RUFF
Military Region
Military Region Item
Shenyang
I
Jilin (Chi-lin) Pontoon Br Regt
Division hq & 3
Nanjing 8a
Bengbu (Pang-pu) Ponton Br Regt HQ
(Shen-yang)
A Bks AL-4
regiments (Fig 2)
(Nan-ching)
2
Dandong (Tan-tung) Pontoon Br Regt
Division hq & 3
Xuyi (Hsu-i) Army Bks
prob regiments
8b
Wuxi (Wu-hsi) Army Bks AL-8
Shanghegou (Shang-ho-kou) Bks Area
I prob regiment
Division hq & 1,
poss 2, regiments
l or poss 2
regiments
25X1
25X1
I regiment; prob
not related to any 25X1
currently identified 25X1
divisions
Beijing
3
Yangliuquing (Yang-liu-Ching) Army
Division hq & 4
Fuzhou
9
Baishazhen (Pai-shachen) Army Bks
Prob division hq
(Peking)
Bks NE AL-1
regiments
(Fu-thou)
NW AL-1
& 1 regiment
Lanzhou
4
Shuiquan (Shui-chuan) Bks A Veh
Prob division hq,
Minging (Min-ching) Army Bks AL-1
I prob regiment
(Lan-chou)
Stor Area
I confirmed regiment,
& 3 prob
regiments
Minging (Min-ching) Army Bks AL-2
1 prob regiment
Jinan
5
Pingyin (Ping-yin) Pontoon Br
Division hq & 3,
(Chi-nan)
Regt A Bks AL-1
poss 4, regiments
Minging (Min-ching) Army Bks
1 poss regiment
Wuhan
6
Huangshi (Huang-shih) Army Bks
Division hq & 2
(Wu-han)
regiments (Fig 3)
Guan
zhou
10
Chan
sha (Chan
-sha) Arm
Bks AL-6
Division h
& 3
g
g
g
y
q
,
(Kuang-chou)
prob 4, regiments
Echeng (0-cheng) Army Bks ENE
2 regiments (Fig 4)
i
P
b di
i
i
h
Kunm
ng
v
ro
s
on
q
(Kun-ming)
with at least 2
7
Zhenwajie (Chen-wa-chieh) Army
Poss division hq &
prob regiments
Bks East
12
Diandou (Tien-tau) Army Bks and Engr
Division hq & 4
2 poss regiments
regiments
ucon
Baihao (Pai-hao) Army Bks West
1 confirmed & l
poss regiment ucon
-3-
Top Secret
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Top Secret RUFF
PONTON
PONT
*Four regiments not confirmed in all divisions.
**Have not been observed with PPS-type regiments,
^ Air defense unit
+ Treadway bridge
FIGURE 5. PROBABLE ORGANIZATION OF A PONTON BRIDGE DIVISION
-%P-1C S-7842
7-
Top Secret l.-1 R-006217()
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