MILITARY INFORMATION ON ALBANIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R005800400003-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 1, 1999
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: September 14, 1950
• Content Type: REPORT

CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/0 /09 : IA-RDP82-00457ROO5800400003-5
CLASSIFICATION S%c ~r/coiTTnoL .- U. CFFJCIALc CfLY
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY REPORT NO.
INFORMATION RE-PORT CD NO.
COUNTRY Albania
SUBJECT Military Information on Albania
DATE DISTR. 14 September 1950
NO. OF PAGES 2
kilo=
DATE OF
INFO.
5-9 September 1950
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO 25X1A
REPORT NO.
1. Three thousand men are stationed at the Skanderbeg barracks at Shkoder. Men
who are recalled for service are instructed here.
2. Source also reported that at Shkoder 31 regular army officers who were purged are
now there on inactive status.
3. The headquarters of 16 Division (sic)* is reported to be located at KopliIu;
4000 men of this division are stationed as follows:
a. One unit, bearing the designation number 571, at Aktailu (sic-Kop',liku?).
b. Other units at Buza e Ujit, Suka to Moheetit, Hani I HHotit, Boge,and
Vermosh.
o. One infantry company of 5 dfficers and 150 enlisted men at Ana e Malit.
d. One infantry company of 5 officers and 150 enlisted men at Algare or
Pllgare (sic-Villgar Hills?).
e. One company each at Bushat (Manat e Zef Banes), Ranzat, and Beltoje.
f. One infantry company, reinforced by artillery units, guarding the coast
along the Pu.laj-Viluri (Losh)-Gryka e Drinit (mouth of the Drin?) line.
g. On the island of Lesh, 50 men commanded by an officer candidate.
4. The above units were wearing Soviet, German and Czechoslovakan uniforms.
Source stated that no more than 25 percent are loyal to the present
government, and that the majority of the political commissars and the
non-commissioned officers, most of whom come from South Albania, are violent
anti-Nationalists. All the men are in constant training and are rigorously
disciplined.
5. Other units** are located as follows:
a. Kcpliku. artillery unit with 4 Soviet lo7m:m. and 6 Soviet 67mm. pieces,
plus 7 anti-aircraft machine guns.
STATE NAVY
NSRI3 DISTRI8IITION
ARMY _ !_ AtR ~
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CONFIENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/09 : CIA-RDP82-00457R0058004
 Approved For Release 1999/09/09 : CIA-RDP82-00457R005800400003-5
CONFIDENTIAL
E T/CONTROr, - U. S. OFFICIALS ONLY
CENTRAL TTNTEII,r'GENCL AGENCY
b. Viluri of Shengjin: three light cannons.
c. Villgar Rillsi artillery unit with 58 pieces.
d. Above ~ ,a3 Church t 2 large caliber pieces, heavily gue rdeNi by 25 men.
e. Saragj (sic), Buza a Ujit and Vermoshs engineer units engaged in
digging trenches. The area is restricted; entrance is only by special
authorization.
6. The only special armament known is the Soviet hand gr+de, reported supplied
to the troops at Kopliku..
7. The Yugoslavs have reinforced their own sectoar opposite 16 Division in the
Podgorica aeetor. Source reported that the Yugoslav troops were seen
wearing the white fez, as is customary with Kossavars.
8. Between July and the first week in August, there was a heavy trsdTic of
mules Ong land mines in the direction of Vermosh, To date 100 mule
loads of such mines have been unloaded. The shores of Lake Shkoder and part of
the Bojana River are also mined.
nts This is the first indieatirn
of a 16 Division;
It is believed doubtMI 'Mat eu" a unit has been formed. Our field
representat ,'pe suggests that this unit might be a special headquarters
established for the coordination, of defense against the Yugoslavs Again-,
this might refer to the previously-reported 16 Division ,
omen : It is not clear whether source meant to include these
units under 1 Division.
S ET/CONTROL - U. S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Approved For Release 1999/S - 05800400003-5