FRONTIER GUARDS (GRANICERI)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81-01036R000200030012-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 10, 2011
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: April 5, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/10: CIA-RDP81-01036R000200030012-7
U.S. Officials Only
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
COUNTRY Rumania
SUBJECT Frontier Guards (Graniceri)
R THE UNITED $TAtE.. WITHIN THE MEANIN. OF TITLE 14. SECTIONS 793
NO 794. OF THE Y.E. CO.E, Al AMCNSf. ITS TNAM/MIEIION OR REVS.
ATION Or ITS CONTENT. TO 04 499501 P ON PERSON 18
THIS is UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
DATE DISTR. A Sy'
NO. OF PAGES 225X1
NO. OF ENCLS.
SUPP. TO
REPORT NO.
1. The Yugoslav frontier is the one on which the Rumanian Graniceri, or "Frontier
Guards," today maintain their most vigilant watch, This remains the case, despite
the organization of a Rumanian-Yugoslav frontier mixed commission in Oct 1953,
to regulate frontier differences between the two countries Ina friendly way.
The commission even carried conciliation so fay as to elect Titois representative,
as secretary general., In a further effort of the same sort, the C~-)ainform has
for some time abandoned,its attacks on Tito$s regime formerly broa::cast by Radio
Bucharest. None of this, however, abates the mutual distrust of Rumania and
Yugoslavia.
2. One important consideration in the strict guard of the Rumanian-Yugoslav frontier
is the effort to catch clandestine travelers, trying to escape from Rumania into
Yugoslavia. It is no use for them to flee to Hungary. Hence Yugoslavia remains
the only hope,of refugees.
3. As in many other countries, wide zones adjoining the frontier have been cleared of
inhabitants. On the Rumanian side of the Rumanian-Yugoslav frontier, this has
been done to a depth of thirty kilometers, not completely, but thoroughly enough
to remove every one living there who might, in case of an attack on Tito, or by Tito,
prove dangerous to the Rumanian and Soviet Armies. This meant deporting 6o,ooo
persons to the USSR. They were removed with only such property as could be carried
in a single bag, and were sent to Soviet Moldova and Baraganu.
4. However, there is a forbidden zone fifty, instead of thirty, kilometers deep along
the Rumanian side of this frontier. This zone is entirely under control of the
Militia and the Oranioeri. Recently some soldiers have been brought in to
reenforce the latter, These recent arrivals are posted in regions near the frontiers.
They include infantry, engineers, and motorized troops.
SEA L sf . (f' 1 ". a " & AREA ~ol;.?_!
U.S. Officials Only
SECRET
:!! r
DISTRIBUTION y STATE I IARMY NAVY I IAIR F I FBI
report Is for the use within the USA of the Intelligence components of the Departments or
Agencies indicated above. It is not to be transmitted overseas without the concurrence of the
originating odlice through the Assistant Director of the Office of Collection and Dissemination, CIA.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/10: CIA-RDP81-01036R000200030012-7
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/10: CIA-RDP81-01036R000200030012-7
SECRET
Curfew begins in this zone the moment it is dark. Soldiers make the rounds to see
that it is observed, and officers check on the soldiers. Patrols are also kept
moving at a distance of one to two kilometers behind the border line, according to
the terrain.
6. During the summer, defensive bunkers have been constructed in such a way that the
Yugoslavs Cannot look across the border and see them. There is a control post on
the Danube, every two hundred meters. No one is allowed to walk along the river
banks.
7.
The 9th Graniceri Regiment is located to the south of Turnu-Severin. There is a
detachment of Granieeri in a solidly built house in a place called Hinova, opposite
Ostrovul-Corbului (Corbului Island). This post is in charge of kilometers 911 to
916, on;the Danube.
8. The controls on land are still more severe. Points where passage is permitted are
cultivated, so as to show any unauthorized footprints. Triple barbed wire
entangliments are an additional protection. Then there are throe patrol routes which
cross and recross each other at regular intervals. At night the Graniceri use watch
dogs. Prizes are given to any Granieeri who catch either fugitives trying to get
out,or spies trying to get in.
The 4th Graniceri Regiment is stationed at Timi*oara. The commanding officer here
is Major Some;anu. The political officer is Captain Comm. The executive officer
is Captain Dinsitressu.
10. The?3rd Granioeri Regiment is stationed.at..Oravita, It has a strength. of three bat-
talions, Platoons have,a strength of between 6o and.70.men. Each platoon-patrols
fop a distance ?of. five kilometers. Source., who is. not a soldier, 'makes, no,mention
of-,eompany organisation and adds the curious statement . that "each bikU8.3.1on. Is.
oempoeed of platoons."
11. The araniceri training camp is at Lugo,, in the Banat. This is both a political
and ri11tprv training center. There is another training center at Rldduti, north
of Voldova.. It .is towards the south, along, .the road to .&uaeava,, pppo.si%e.'the
reeraiting center.. All training . centers,, whether, military or,pol#t:ical,..came
directly under. the ? troop command of the. Granieeri., - The commander at- present.. is,
Colonel Mihail Doia%; who replaced General Pantelimon Comiohel.
s Y SU IFGT & AREA CODE
176..x. d;i;:, alto .tkc~'a; ttt1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/10: CIA-RDP81-01036R000200030012-7