T/O & E, WEAPONS, AND EQUIPMENT OF THE SOVIET BORDER TROOPS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00046R000400350002-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 21, 2009
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: February 24, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

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? INFORMAT.ION r r. r INFORMATION REPORT
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This material contains Information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. Sees. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which In any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
COUNTRY USSR ,(Azerbaydzhan SSR)
SUBJECT T/O & E, Weapons, and Equipment of
the Soviet Border Troops
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
DATE ACQUIRED
This is UNEVALUATED
Information
REPORT
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
9
RD
24 February 1955
ARMY review completed.
25 YEAR
RE-REVIEW
ARMY NAVY AIR FBI AEC
(Note: Washington distribution indicated by "X"; Field distribution by "#".)
)RMATION REPORT
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CONFIDENTIAL
COUNTRY USSR ;( Azerbaydzhan SSR)
SUBJECT T/O&E, Weapons, and Equipment of the
Soviet Border Troops
DATE OF INFORMATION
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
. REPORT
DATE DISTR. 26 Jazz 195
NO. OF PAGES S
A. T/O&E
1. See pages 4 and 7 for the organizational structure of the 44th Border
Guard Otryad at Lenkoran' (N 38-45, E 48-50) and its subordinate units
stationed along the USSR-Iran border. F_ i
2. Page 4 represents the actual organizational and command structure of
the 44th Border Guard Qtryad as well as that of its subordinate
komendaturas and zastavas
3. Page 7 represents the actual detailed organization and strength 25X1
breakdown of the-11th Border Guard Za~tava
B. WEAPONS
Individual WeaDons at the 11th Border Guard Zastava
a. Pistols, 7.62-mm Tokarev TT - 1953 which were used as sidearms
by all o i fficers;
GODTETDRN 1A.L.
25 YEAR
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b. SWIG, 7.62-mm, PPSh Mi 41 referred to as the "automat".
was issued to border guard EM who had two 25X1
years' service or more. For guard duty, EM were issued two drums
of 71 rounds each for their SMG's. Often, however, the drums
contained only 50 to 60 rounds each.
c. Rifle, 7.62-mm, M1891/30 which were issued to some of the troops
had less than two years' service. 25X1
d. Carbine4 7.62-mm, M1944, issued to some of the border guard
troops who had less than two year's service. EM on patrol duty
with carbines were issued 60 rounds of ammunition.
e. Hand Grenades, RC-42, Offensive ,Two of thecae,were issued to each
man on patrol duty.
Crew-Served Weapons
a. LMG, 7.62-mm, DP, Degtyarev. At least four Degtyarev LMG's were
used by the 11th Zastava.
b.' HMG, 7.62-mm, Maxim M1910. There was one Maxim HMG in use at
the .11th Zastava and aathere were d si
ethers ?- in s tora-ge
Weapons at the 44th Border Guard atryal and, at' the 2d..Kmmendatura
with regard to individual
and crew-served weapons used at the 44th Border Guard Otryad in
Lenkoran' and at the 2d Komendatura, the
following additional items of information
in Lenkoran' and at the komendatura:
a.
border guard officers of the 44th Border Guard
Otryad in Lenkoran' used as sidearms either the Tokarev pistol
or the Revolver, 7.62-mm, Nagant, M1895.
b. At the 2d Komendatura, border guard troops with less than two
years' service were issued carbines M1944. No rifles were issued
at the 2d Komendatura. Sergeants and EM with more than two years
of service were issued SMG's.
kept covered in the Service 7Zastava, 2d Komendatura
There was a mortar) (which was always
d. I~ saw Soviet infantry troops with PPSh M1943 SMG's;
Signal Equipment
the abbreviation for Nautohno-Isledovatelskiye Laboratorii (Scientific
the 11th Zastava used a "NIL" telephone which was 25X1
Research Laboratories) which consisted of a square box, about 33 x
33 cm. The receiver, which resembled a common telephone receiver,
hung from one side. On the front of the box were four buttons and
under each button there was a small window. The entire apparatus
resembled the old-type apartment telephone used to call house servants.
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One of the buttons of the box was connected tQ;,~ a ;;wire -,which ivan' to the
zastava headquarters. The second button was connected to a wire
which ran to the right or western flank of the zastava. The third
was connected to an observation point and the fourth to a look-out
point on top of a nearby hill. To call a point, one had to press
the proper button. Incoming calls were announced by a ticking sound
and the appearance of a piece of cardboard or paper in one of the
windows. it was also possible to reach either 25X1
of the adjacent zastavas with this telephone by plugging in another
connecting wire
Other field phones were used for inter-zastava communication. 25X1
Chemical Equipment
7. The 11th Zastava had an unknown number of h-e - as a in its
supply room 25X1
Other Weapons and Equipment
In addition to individual weapons, patrols were
also issued a portable phone receiver , hand- 25X1
, one flashlight, and one medical kit which contained 25X1
only cotton and bandages.
C. TRANSPORT
25X1
The transport consisted of two four-wheeled carts
and three or four horses which were used for plowing, hauling, and
pack-bearing. In his zastava there were also seven to nine horses,
five mules and an unknown number of carts. the 25X1
44 Border Guard Otryad had about 25 to 30 horses in its stables.
The Kornendatura had about 7 to 9 horses and five mules.
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Organization and Chain of Command Stracturo of the 44th Bt; 'tryad:.and of subordinate units
Azherbaydzhan
3order District
44th BG Otryad:
Note: The highest link in this chain of
command is as
i ndepe en m. stry. This-does not
conform to information on hand which
indicates that a main administration
of BG troops exists within the MVD
Ministry.
--~^ 21: Off r
2t 3o2eaiatitra 57 100 I 3d gomendatura
233 M
Line
aetavas
4tk Remendatura
Service -Line-
s
Zastavas
wastara J Zastava
roeumably each komemdatura in the 44th BG .Otryad had
a reserve and a service zastava,
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Ministry of "G Tr pa of the
D
Service
Zastava
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Legend to
Organization and Chain of command
and of u or na a Un s
25X1f
h BG Otryad
(page -4) 25X1
14th Border Guard Otryad
The CO was a colonel and the CIS was a lieutenant colonel.
the th Border Guard Otryad hospital-dispensary, which contained
approximately 50 beds, was commanded by a major who was a doctor. The
otryad had a fire prevention squad.,
This unit was the
3.
-4.
maneuver group see #3 below).
2d Komendatura
The CO was a lieutenant colonel who was also commandant of the border
sector guarded by the komendatura. The CIS was a captain or a major whose
duties were to supervise the zastavas and give political training to
komendatura personnel; there was no political officer at komendatura-
level. Komendatura Hq. personnel and personnel of the reserve and
service zastavas included six officers, about seven sergeants, and 33 EM.
There was no identifying insignia worn by privates first class which
distinguished them from privates. Other officers were:
CO of the reserve zastava a lieutenant .or senior lieutenant
CO of the service zastava- a lieutet* nt
Medical officer or feldsher - a senior lieutenant
Officer for combat training (ofitser po boevoy chasti) - a lieutenant.
Manuever Group (Maneovrennaya Gruppa)
The group was a large unit stationed in Lenkoran' which was sent out to
reinforce border units in the event of more serious border incidents;
Reserve Zastava
This unit had no numerical designation and its organization was flexible.
It was organized into two sections each of which was headed by a sergeant.
There was an average of twenty men in the zastava. Theoretically, this
zastava remained at the disposal of the komendatura and was sent to the
border in case of need or an emergency; however, in actual practice, it
was nothing more than a pool of replacements for the various line
zastavas.
5.
Service (Boyevaya Obespeehnay) Zastava
This unit consisted of one or two sergeants and not more than 15 Em'.
It furnished personnel to act as cooks, perform guard duty, and
general housekeeping duties, as well as providing men to take care of
the horses and the small amount of livestock which was kept for food.
6. Radio Station
There was a radio station at the komendatura manned by a sergeant.
7. Guardhouse
The komendatura had a guardhouse for its own EM and the EM of subordinate
zastavas.
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B. Veterinary Station
six to seven dogs at the 2d Komendatura. Some of these
dogs were used as guard dogs but most were sick dogs sent to the station
by subordinate zastavas for treatment by a sergeant who
was n a trained veterir artan .
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 0O 'ID ITIAL
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isatiea of'the 11th Border ?ward Zastava
11th DO Zastava
Comianding Off leer
(let:Lt or Capt)
H Pistol
Chief for Lino Natters
(1t)#
'!!'Pistol
First Sergeant
TT Pistol
Squad Squad
1 Cpl or Sit X Apl or _Sgt
7-8 Pvts and Me 7-8 Pvto and Me,.
&-9 SIGs, carbines' &-9 SBGs, carbines,
rifles** rifles"
3 Offs
10 NCO9
40SII
Political Officer #
(lot Lt)
Squad *
1 Cpl or Sgt
7-9 Prts and PFC
$-9 SIGs, carbia
rifles**
Gwitrd Dog
rainere Squad
Squad *
1 Cpl or Sgt
7-S Pvto and PPG
g-9 SM4s, earbinO
rifles**
I
Sngiaeer
Instructo
NCO
1 $gt
**All SS with over two. years service
had SUG s, All others were issued
either a carbine or a rifler
Line
VC0s
2 Sgts
Signal
NCO
1So.
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Legend to
Organization of the 11th Border Guard Zastava as Known to Svui:6ce
(page 7)
1. Political Officer (Nachal'nik po Politchasty)
This officer was responsible o", for the Dolitical education of the
zastava personnel.
2. Chief for Line Matters (Po Boyevoy Chasti)
This officer was responsible for all matters other than political
education.
First Sergeant
The first sergeant,a regular sergeant in a first sergeant's slot, was
responsible for all supply matters which included clothing, food,
weapons, and ammunition
-. Engineer Instructor NCO
This sergeant was responsible for all mechanical border guarding devices,
fences, and obstacles.
5. Signal NCO
This was a communications sergeant who operated the zastava radio.