SURVEY OF CAPTURED DOCUMENTS COLLECTIONS IN GERMANY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81-00706R000200020088-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 25, 2003
• Sequence Number: 88
• Publication Date: May 25, 1948
• Content Type: MEMO

STANDAtCD FORM Xpl5roved For Releas6,2003/12/22 CIA-RDP81-00706RQp0200020088-9
Office Memorandum ? UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO . Projects Review Committee E I DATE: 25 May 1948
ILLEGIB
SUBJECT: Survey of Captured Documents Collections in Germany
1. The value of German documents as a source of basic intelli-
gence information on the USSR, has been established. ForeignDocuments
Branch translations and abstracts of German data on Russian industry,
transport, topography, natural resources, and other subjects are re-
garded by ORE and the IAC agencies as of the highest value. Compila-
tions of German information , such as the Industrial Card File, which
is largely based on captured documents, are regarded as indispensable.
2. As indicated in the attached memo from Chief, FDB, repositor-
ies and collections in Germany still contain thousands of tons of
documents which have been held in the theater by agencies such as
Military Government, War Crimes Commission, and various intelligence
and counter-intelligence organizations for their own purposes. Five
hundred tons of documents are held in Berlin alone, of which only
some 15 tons are now earmarked for shipment to the U.S. Few of the
repositories have been adequately screened for documents or collections
documents of basic intelligence value, with the result that much of
the material currently being received in the U.S. is of love grade, and
many valuable documents are still in Germany, unrecognized and unex-
ploited for intelligence information.
3. Final disposition of these documents and liquidation of
theater repositories has been under, consideration by the Department of
the Array for some time, but -bcaaa an acute problem requiring immediate
action during the recent US/USSR crisis in Berlin. Emergency plans for
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evacuation and/or destruction of captured documents are outlined in the
attached State Department and Army cables.(Enclosures 1-3 to Memo from'
Chief, FDB).
4. In view of the responsibility of CIA for the-.,exploitation of
German documents, the possible loss or destruction of valuable documents
in Germany, and the imperative need for a coordinated programfbr the
sorting and return of certain categories of documents to the U. S., it
is proposed that a CIA screening team be sent to Germany and Austria
as soon as possible. Informal investigation by the Intelligence Division,
Department of the Army., has disclosed the fact5that the Departments of
the Navy and Air Force have no interest in the captured documents remain-
ing in Germany; that the Departments of State and the Army have consider-
able interest in these documents, but are willing to let CIA represent
them insofar as the selection and return of documents of intelligence
value is concerned; and that CIA is the only agency which can provide a
screening team with adequate qualifications in regard to language ability,
documents experience, and familiarity with IAC intelligence requirements.
5. The proposed project would involve the following:
a. Dispatch of the Chief, FDB, and two subordinates to Germany
and Austria for a period of approximately 60 days. (No addi-
tional personnel required). Urgency of project is indicated in
Para. 3 above.
b. Vouchered funds are recommended, since project will not be highly
classified.
c. Maximum estimated cost of project would be approximately
$4,000.00. `ost per person for maximum stay of 60 days, includ-
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6R00Q?100 -9 This total
ing trave and per iem, is es imat
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could be reduced by using U.S. Army transport service in lieu of commer-
cial air transport.
(d) There is no necessity for other agency support, since im-
plementation of project is considered feasible for CIA. Con-
currence by the Department of the Army is necessary, and
representatives of the Intelligence Division have informally
indicated their approval and strong support of the project
as proposed.
(e) Owing to the specialized nature of the project and the fact
that it falls within the limitations of functionsalready
assigned to TDB, concurrence of other CIA Offices is not
deemed necessary.
Approved For Release 2003/12/22 : CIA-RDP81-00706R000200020088-9