QUARTERMASTER SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00047R000200270010-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 23, 2003
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: December 26, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved ~SwIFe1~13/1CRE~
CENTRAL INTELL
INFORMATI
IGENCE AGENCY
ON REPORT
t Zone)
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270010-8
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DATE DISTR. 0 c 1952
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COUNTRY USSR/Germany (Sovi
SUBJECT Quartermaster Supp
PLACE
25X1 ACQUIRED
DATE
ACQUIRED BY SOURCE
DATE OF INFORMATION
OF THE UNITED STATES. WITHIN THE M[AM IMD OR TI TL[ 18, SECTIONS 709]
ANO 794, OP TOE U.S. CODE, AE AMENDED. ITS TR AH SMI E^ION OR RCVE?
CATION OF ITS CONTENT[ TO OR RECEIPT EV AN UHAUTHOR IEEE PERSON IE
PRONIEITI:D BY LAS. THE REPRODUCTION CF THIS FORM IS PROHIBITED.
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A. Soviet troops in Germany generally receive a 450[-gram can (round, standard com-
mercial pack) of fish or meat; the types of meat may varyp but the fish is always
the same b:igp coarse, tasteless item.
2. Q. Are these items imported from the USSR?
A. Yes. Also imported t, East Germany from the USSR (for hoops) are grain (milled
3. Q.
in Germany), ? (hardtack), reserves of meat, and ritr, and lasha (buckavheat)*
th battalion or regiment? 25X1
25X1 A. but this is a special came in goat
37-inn unit, and the Oat-eery i s directly under regiment, There is no bat I,a bn
4- Q.
A.
between. A battery of 85-T weapons has the bat alion-regim'n orgar4isati,onp
and would mesa with the battalion.
How was the regiment memo set up?
The regiment by itself had about 40 men, but a school was attacker., thus our
strength was close to 600. The regiment had six full time cool.. The officers'
mesa had two waitresses, and 10 RP a w-exe Pent up from the v.nii ts.
How is the food prepared?
In garrison, enlisted men's food is prepared in large pots and kett".uz . The ra---
tions are provided in kind to the kitchen for each man to be .aer?veEd.
Q. Is there a difference in officers' and enlisted. men's messes?
A. Yes. Officers receive mucky better food. It iu better prepares, or lIrzt;ter quality,
and of more assortment. There is one e0ok assigned to prepare fc - c,fficer3
only; his equipment aonaists of small pots. Officers teoelre a u-mletferltary
ration - 1,500 grams of sugar, 600 grams of coy skies, 1,000 gran ,a::rne 3 neat or
fish, 1,200 gram:: (bulk) cereal. Since 1950, the officers have paid i 50 East
Ge,Nman rAarks monthly for extra supply rations, which are now delivered to messes.
66 r l~CV.G IXI.F' / 1x
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Prior to 1950, officers had ration cards which authorized them to purchase ad-
ditional food rations from commissaries. Ration cards are still authorized for
:special troops (Secret Police, pilots of jet aircraft, and high ranking officers
with families), They have a blue card, and, it allows them a large saving (ego a
kilo of butter on the civilian market costs 12 East German mark'; with the blue
card it costs three East German marks, For 40 East German marks monthly they
supplement their normal rations to a large degree.
How are the Soviet Army cooks selected and trained?
Men who have had cooking experience in civilian life in cafes, eta, are picked as
cooks' A single MOS number is assigned to all the various jobs in the food service
field, Their military training in cooking consists of on-the-job training.
How is bread obtained?
Bread is baked at, dzv anon. level `(probably by Soviet d vi an vmntI '
bakery Flour is issued to unit messes only on holidays (sueh.as may 1, November
7, etc ) .
What pastries are eaten? Where obtained?
No pastries are served to troops, only plain cookies. To issue cakes and, other
pastry items would be spoiling the troops,
What is the mesa s4'tup in the field?
A truck-drawn trailer with. four or five pots, firebox and capable of burning wood
or coal, is used (approximately one trailer per 160 men), This equipment can cook
food on the move, Two pots are used for soup, one for hot water for washing
dishes, etc. Another model kitchen trailer has only one large pot. In column
movement, lead troops are fed first; after completion of mess, the trailer drops
back in the column to feed another group, and this process is continued until the
column is fed,
What rations are fed in the field%
Two liters of soup daily per man (sometimes 200 grams of kasha, or meat or fish),
and 800 grams of bread daily (200 grams for breakfast, and 300 grams ee.ch for
dinner and supper).
What mess equipment items do the officers and enlisted men have in field?
Enlisted men have meat can, mess utensils, large spoon for soup (spoon. carried in
boot); officers eat in the field from tin plates and the usual iter;ilv. At mesa
time, the plates and utensils are brought to the officers' field mess along with
the food. After mesa, the plates are pinked. up and washed in they kitchen. Troops
in forward areas eat soup from the thermal. food container (oapanity: about 50
liters) from which about 20 to 25 men are fed.
Does the Soviet Army use a master menu?
Not exactly; the Chief of the food Service Section at regiment prepares Menus for
5 to 10 days in advance, a copy of which is forwarded to subordinate units as well
as the warehouse. The menu aids the warehouse in determining what rations will be
drawn; the items on the menu are determined in part by those itema available in the
warehouse,
Does the Soviet Army issue a cook's manual, or recipe manual?
I believe that the Chief of the Food Service Section at regiment rises a recipe book
i-
menu is sent dorm f rcamn reg
the 5 to 10-da
Wh
y
en
to draw up the 5 to 10-day menu,
meat, a list of the ingredients, and the method of preparation is also transmitted
with. the menu. This is done with each menu group.
How are ration allowances granted? How is ration strength determined?
A daily strength report (similar to the US morning report) is used as a basis for
ration strength.
CLOTHING AND FOOTGEAR (Issues, tariffs, etc.)
sizes determined?
A, A sergeant lines up a group of new men, and tells each what size clothing he will
wear, The size system for the Soviet Army is based on the following: clr thing
sizes run 1, 2,r3, 4, 5, and 6, according to the height of the individu 1 (size 1
is very small, and size 6 is the lam ek.,t . The source said he wore a wise 4; his
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height was 180 cm (about 5'11"). Sizes varied about 5 cm. Thus, comparative sizes
would approximate the following:
Size 1 equals approximately 5'5"
Size 2 equals approximately 5'6" to 5'7"
Size 3 equals approximately 5'8" to 5'9"
Size 4 equals approximately 5111"
Size 5 equals approximately 6' to 6'1"
Size 6 equals approximately 6'2" and over
Sizes 3, 4, and 5 constitute 70% of all clothing issued to members of the Soviet
Army.
For each size as shown above, there are three widths -narrow, medium, and broad
and, of course, each larger size in height also increases a little in width. Hat
sizes run according to civilian custom sizes 55, 56, 57, etc.)
Boot sizes also run in a system similar to that of clothing. The Soviet Army does
not use the usual European shoe size system, but numbers according to the length
and width of the shoe. Inside the boot, a numbering symbol is stamped (P-3-111)
which indicates the length., the width, and whether it is narrow, medium or broad.
Under the arch of the shoe, the usual European number is stamped.
A soldier keeps a record of his clothing and boot sizes in a soldier's book which
be carries at all times.
What is the life of the various items of issue in the Soviet Army?
Boots - 8 months; two pairs underwear - 1.2 months; summer uniform - 6 months; over-
coat - 3 years; officers' items: trousers and breeches.- 2 years; jacket - 2 years;
summer uniform - 1 season (6 months); boots - 2 years (includes 1 pair chrome lea-
ther boots, and 2 pair other boots).
How often are boots resoled, etc?
The unit commander is responsible for a regular inspection of his men's footwear
items; these are resoled and reheeled about every six months.
Does the Soviet Army have shoe repair units?
Boot repair items (soles, heels, eta) are sent to regiment with footwear issuer.
Regiment has at least one man with a mechanical stitching machine to repair shoes,
frequently, a man with shoe repair experience in the unit will be detailed to the
regimental shoe repair shop to aid in the repair of boots from his unit. Very
rarely are repair items sent beyond regiment, as it is improbable that they would be
returned and, if so, it might not be the same pair or be in worse shape than the
first pair sent out. Normally Soviet soldiers receive their own boots back after
repair. No regular provision is made for a reserve pair of boots to be worn by
the soldier while his footwear is being repaired. In practice, the lot Sergeant
of a company keeps four or five pairs of boots in the orderly tent whia'n be can
lend soldiers while their own boots are being repaired.
20. Q. Does the man who repairs shoes at regimental level have the v)S of a shoe repairman?
A.
22. Q.
N 4~He is a member of a rifle squad or mortar crew, and he is selected for the
Xe repairman job because of his civilian background in shoe repair work.
Do shoe repairmen at battalion or company level have shoe repairmen MOS numbers?
No* Again, as in regiment, the man is assigned the }40S of a combat crew member,
b't is actually given the shoe repair job as his assignment.
Do assignments such as this occur often in the Soviet Army, and do the various log-
istical support positions have MOS numberss
Approximately one-third (repeat one-third) of the Soviet Army is engaged in log-
istical duties. Men performing these logistical tasks are riflemen, or gun crew
personnel assigned to logistical duties, but they retain their combat duty MOS
number,, rather than receiving a new number for support tasks.
23. Q. In other words the T/O of a Soviet Army u i t authorizes a specific number ,f man for
normal combat duties, but the issuance of MOS numbers pertaining to logistical
duties is kept to a minimum?
25X1 A. Yes, many times was short of mgrs for combat duties due to the number
placed on'logis c support jobs.
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30,..,Q, Does the Soviet Army maintain records regarding the date of death and p2.sce of
Where do troops in Germany obtain uniforms?
Soviet troops in Germany wear uniforms made in Germany. The German tailoring in-
fluence is noticed in uniform cut and design.
Do the Soviets strive for precision and exactness in uniform wear, design of
insignia, placement of insignia?
No. The primary" emphasis is on, combat training and tactics,'. Very 'little emphasis
pis direatedrtoward assuring compliance with uniform regulations.
That field laundry facilities does the Soviet Army have?
There is a field laundry setup at division. The Soviet soldier changes his
underclothing every 7 to 10 days, and these items are washed normally by the in-
dividual, as-the division laundry is: so slow, or the items become lost. $b.ere are
no mobile laundries. Division laundries handle such things as sheets, taweli,
and f ootoloths .
What field bath facilities does the Soviet Army have?
The 8-railroad car bath. train. Troops also use various improvised bathing facili-
ties.
Does the Soviet Army use identification tags?
Tags were once used by the Soviet Army, but these have been replaced by 'a small
plastic tube which is carried in the manes watch pocket in his trousers. Inside
this tube is a pre-printed form which contains the bearertse name, rank, year of
birth, home address, blood group, and his field APO number. This form is changed
with each change in assignment, This container is approximately one-half inch in
diameter, and one and one-half inches in length; it is fitted with a screw cap. It
is called the "Passport of death" by Soviet soldiers.
Are the next of kin notified when a soldier is killed?
Yes, a pre-printed form bearing the name and address of the deceased is signed by
the unit commander and forwarded via normal mail channels to the next of kin. No
Aotification is made to the next of kin from higher headquarters.
burial of each soldier killed?
A. The unit commanding officer sends a list of deceased personnel to the central file;
he also notifies headquarters that a certain number were killed ie, six sergeants,
t'wecolporals, and 14 privates.) The accuracy of these files is questionable, since
the Germans overran the files during Worlr' War II.
A master bard file is maintained by a central office in the USSR; this file contains
the name , date of death, and location (number) of the grave in which the soldier
is buried. The next of kin can obtain further information about the deceased only
by writing to this office. Whether complete burial information is available in
this central office depends upon the situation surrounding the man's deathh. Indi-
vidual graves are sometimes dug if only one or very few bodies are found. These
graves are identified with a crude marker, and thereafter maintained by civilians
living in that area. However, in the cage of heavy casualties, it is a most common
practice to bury all Soviets together ins mass grave (brotherly grave). If this
is done, identification of each body im a?ttezmpted sometimes; frequently no attempt
at identification is attempted under"the$e^vondit1bns.. If identifieatior, is made
(ie, if the identification tags are collected from each body), the central file
merely indicates that "Ivan Doe" is buried in "Mass Grave titamber______.
31e" Q. Does the Soviet Army have a Graves Registration service?
The Soviet Army does not have a Graves Registration service as ruoh. After a battle
Medical Corps personnel come forward to d-tspose of all corpses on 'the field.
32. Q. Whates the Soviet Army do with enemy deceased?
A. Duringg,,th.e early stages of World War II, enlisted ments bodies were searched for
valuables and for clothing items, and enemy officer bodies were searched for intell-
igence data ?? then all enemy dead were buried in mass graves. At first, the identi-
fication tags on the enemy soldiers were not removed, but toward the end of the war
this was done, and enemy "taga" were forwarded to headquarters. I de not, know the
disposition of the tags at headquarters level,
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33. Qa Is any distinction made between Soviet Army officer and enlisted deceased?
A. Yes. No record is'kept of enlisted men, other than the record book carried by
each Soviet enlisted man; an accurate file is maintained on all officer personnel.
Thus , when an officer is killed, official records are maintained, and headquarters
is notified of the name of the officer, when, where, and how killed, and where
buried. Next of kin are notified by the higher headquarters.
34.. Q. What individual quartermaster items are standard issue to Soviet Army personnel?
A. Items listed below are issued to Soviet officers and men to be held in readiness
in case of alert:
1.
1 spare uniform (tunic and breeches)
2 pairs of underwear
1 pair boots
4 pairs foot wraps (according to source, all personnel from generals to privates
wear foot wraps)
10 collar bands (made of linen for winter and summer)
cloak (overcoat)
1 pair gloves
5 handkerchiefs
2 sheets
2 towels
1 set toilet articles
l writing net
1 shaving kit
1 pen knife
1 mess kit
boot and clothing brush
boot polish
1 housewife
necessary training articles
Orders and medals
Officers wear the following: uniform; underwear; overcoat; boots; pistol in holster
(16 cartridges); field bag; map case.
2. Enlisted men
1 spare uniform (tunic and breeches)
1 pair"underwear (consisting of undershirt and drawers, drawstring t)rpe. In
winter, the summer issue item, light weight dark blue cotton drawers, is worn
under winter underwear made of heavier material)
4 collar bands
2 handkerchiefs (bluish cotton)
1 steel helmet
1 poncho
1 pair foot wraps
1 pair wool mittens with trigger finger (OD with white flannel-like lining)
1 towel, OD
1 tooth brush; tooth paste or powder
1 shaving kit safety razor, brush, and 10 blades)
1 writing set (10 envelopes, 20 sheets of paper, and 1 pencil)
1 housewife (known as Soldier's Set No. 3)
1 bar of soap
1 pen knife
1 large mess spoon (carried inside boot)
1 meat can.
1 cup, iron enamelled (J liter; there is one type of enamelled cup w_.ch may be
fastened to the canteen; this item, however, is very scarce.)
1 canteen (German type, 800 grams, with dark textile :over)
1 grenade packet, 2 cartridge pouches which are attached to the belt.
1 not of rods for cleaning weapons
1 gun kit (brush., pa hes, gun oil)
1 haversack (rucksack)
Enlisted men wear the followings uniform; underwear; overcoat; boots; gas mask.
They carry a carbine or submachine gun. In winter, troops wear a padded OD jacket
over the summer tunic; padded OD breeches are worn directly over the winter under-
wear,
3"5. Q.
Do officers purchase their uniforms? How many uniforms are issued and how often
are these items replaced?
All officer and enlisted personnel are issued uniforms.
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36. Q. Do Soviet soldiers carry the M-1939 pack?
A. The M-1939 pack may be carried; however, the haversack (rucksack) is used extensively.
The latter item is a drawstring type.
37. Q. What types of uniforms are worn by officers?
1, =am,- For parade dream, officers wear a uniform consisting of a service cap, man-
dir (a single breasted coat with a standing collar and five buttons); grade and branch
of service are indicated by means of stars and stripes on the shoulderboarda, patches
and metallic devices on the collar, and metallic devises on the sleeve cuffs., and by
piping on ter front of the coat. Blue breeches are worn which have branch dolor pip-
ing on the outer seams. Blue breeches are generally worn but OD breeches or trousers
may also be worn.
2. swigs - Officers wear a roll collar lapel type double breasted coat. OD or blue
breeches may be worn with the coat.
3. = e)A - Officers wear a tunic and breeches for field duty, Only officers and ser-
geant volunteers may wear service caps. Other personnel wear garrison caps, fur caps,
or steel helmets. (Sergeant volunteers are sergeants who have completed their required
three years service and who voluntarily remain in the Army.)
In winter, officers may wear a knit OS sweater which is fastened by means of a zipper.
Q. Do enlisted. personnel have a special dream uniform?
A. The basic uniform for enlisted men is the tunic (cotton) and breeches, bootar and gar-
rison cap. Some special or elite troops may wear a parade dream uniform consisting of
a double breasted coat with standing collar., piping on sleeve cuffs and four buttons
in back. Blue breeches are worn with the coat. In winter, soldiers wear a pair of
cotton underwear, a pair of heavy underwear, cotton tunic, and padded jacket and bre-
eches. The fur cap with ear flaps is worn in lieu of the garrison cap.
39, Q. To what extent are the valenki worn?
A. The valenki are worn only by guards and by personnel subjected to prolonged, exposure in
extreme cold, never by line units. Rubber overshoes are sometimes warn over the valen-
ki.
TNZIGNIA
-40. Q. Can you identify the following described shoulderboards?
A. 1, black background with blue piping (Conar.ications "Signal")
2, bright red background with black piping (MGB; however the piping should be green
instead of black)
3, magenta with black piping, transverse stripes on the shoulder and, (Tnfatitry, or
MGB - In 1951, the MGH edopted the Infantxy type shoulderboard)
4, black with black piping, transverse stripes on the shoulder end (Tecbniual troops).
As regards the placement of the transverse stripes and stars on shou.lderboar~ds and the
exact size and shape of shoulderboardo, etc, regulations are not strictly enforced and.,
therefore, considerable variations may be seen.
4110, Q. When Soviet personnel wear overcoats, are shotulderboardc also worn on the uniform coat
or tunic?
A. Yes. Officers are issued a set of ahoulderboards for each uniform. When 'm 1 isted men
wear the padded jacket, they may remove the shoulderboards from their tunic and wear
them on the jacket,
42. Q. Are the stars on the ah.oulderboards of the Lt Colonel and Colonel.-. placed directly on
the longitudinal stripes or off the stripes?
A. According to regulation, the stars should be placed on the stripes; however, it is not
unusual to see stars placed off the stripes.
43. Q? Do personnel in the Soviet Army wear ihoulderboards with OD background co'arr ie, the
same color of the uniform? If so, when are these sh.oulderboards worn?
A. During the last war, Soviet personnel wore field shoulderboards with 0D ba :;round
color on their OD field uniforms. Dress shoulderboards not having OD hack ro nd color
are currently worn by all personnel on all types of uniforms.
44. Q, How is the metallic emblem for combat Prgineer units placed on the shouldet'boards? Is
the emblem crossed to resemble the multiplication symbol as in the case of Al'Jillery,
or is it placed to resemble an addition symbol with the pick parallel to t1le sides of
the shoulderboard?
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45 ? Qo
The emblem for combat engineer troops is worn to resemble a multiplication symbol,
To what extent are unit designations displayed on the dress shoulderboardx by en-
listed men?
A, During World -'ar%they were widely worn; they are seldom seen at the present time,.
Quartermaster is in receipt of Soviet type boots manufactured in East Germany,
These boots bear the standard European shoe size symbol inside the boot, There is
no marking on the outer soles as indicated in answer to question 16.
placement of transverse stripes on enlisted men's shoulderboards would be $
a manufactur@r*s deviation from standard specifications, as source intimate
Quartermaster hav seen the padded winter uniforms in colors other than OD (black
and dark blue) as stated in answer to question 34.
Source was not completely knowledgable on question 40, It is not believed that
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