SOVIET ARMY BANDS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00046R000400020006-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 11, 2009
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: June 14, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2009/08/11: CIA-RDP82-00046R000400020006-9
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
CONFIDENTIAL
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18. Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
USSR/Austria (Soviet Zone)
Soviet Army Bands
REPORT
DATE DISTR. 14 June 1954
NO. OF PAGES .3
DATE OF INFO. REQUIREMENT NO. RD
PLACE ACQUIRED REFERENCES
This is UNEVALUATED Information
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
ARMY review completed.
STATE ARMY Ev
AIR FBI
N
(
ote: Washington Distribution Indicated By "X"; Field Distribution By "#".)
Approved For Release 2009/08/11: CIA-RDP82-00046R000400020006-9
25X1
j
 Approved For Release 2009/08/11: CIA-RDP82-00046R000400020006-9
CONFIDENT I-AL,,!
COUNTRY ' USSR/Austria (Soviet Zone)
SUBIECT Soviet Army Bands
J Within the CGF (Central Group of Forces), the
CGF ensemble divisional orchestras, and regimental bands.
some separate battalions, that is, battalions
directly subordinate to a division or the CGF 'instead of a
regiment, might also have their own bands. There were no armies
subordinate to the CGF
While attending OCS in Tashkent /W 41-20 E 69-187. i 947 to 1950,
In Tashkent there was also an army music school for boys between
the ages of eight and 15. There were about 300 boys attending
the school. The students received a general education at the.-'
school with emphasis on music. Upon being graduated, the had
to enlist as privates for a certain term to 25X1
remained in the armed forces rom o 30 years
in Tashkent about 300 army musicians
represen ng-various u/i army units from the Turkestan Military
District. These musicians trained together for about a month in
preparation fora parade to be held ?n the anniversary of the
Revolution.
CONFIDENTIAL
25X1
DATE DISTR. 18 May 1954
NO. OF PAGES 2
Approved For Release 2009/08/11: CIA-RDP82-00046R000400020006-9
 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2009/08/11: CIA-RDP82-00046R000400020006-9
CONFIDENTIAL
2 -
The"287th Gds. Rifle Regt., 95th Gds: Rifle Div., had a
"Muzvzvod" (music platoon)'consisting of one major who
served as band leader, three to four NCO's who were re-
enlistees (Sverkhsrochniki), and about 20 privates. The band
had about 16 instruments--one tuba, two to three horns; two to
three trumpets, two accordions, two to three trombones, and
one set of drums, not certain whether
they haA
flutes or fifes.
The 95th Gds. Rifle Div. had an orchestra which played in
the Officers' Club, for dances, political gatherings, and,
so forth. It consisted of one officer, rank unknown, who was
the orchestra leader; and 40 to 45 EM. The band had 32
instruments--a piano, saxaphones, t um ets a tuba accordions
trombones. horns, fifes and drums.
CGF had a large ensemble--an orchestra of about 50 EM, a
chorus of 30 to 4+0 EM, several EW singers, and several male
and female civilian dancers and singers. It was commanded by
a captain, and played twice a year in each regiment, giving
concerts, shows, etc. This ensemble had, in addition to the
instruments mentioned as part.of the music platoon and
orchestra, string instruments sucb as guitars, mandolins,
violins, and violin cellos.
At no time army musicians with any sort of
weapon, or ng training, except political training.
The officers (band leaders) did not wear weapons although
they were issued TT pistols.
Most EM musicians were re-enlistees; some of them had had
20 years of army service. They were well treated, had no
special duties or fatigue details and spent most of their
time practicing.
EM musicians had a special parade blouse called "Mundir".
This blouse.is shown on page three, "Soviet Army Uniform
and Insignia", published by the British War Office in?1950.
They also had a garrison hat which is shown in the same
publication. Their parade blouse, garrison hat, and
breeches were of fine woolen material and always appeared
very-neat. Musicians of orchestras or ensembles
They wore no rank insignia, no branch insignia, and presented
a uniform, semi-officer like, ap earance. The NCO's of
regimental bands (music platoons) wore sergeants' stripes
and the musical metal insignia as shown in figure Fam filet
Approved For Release 2009/08/11: CIA-RDP82-00046R000400020006-9