MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN THE EIGHTH GDS ARMY AREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A006400630002-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 6, 2009
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: March 14, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2009/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081OA006400630002-3
COUNTRY
TOPIC
EVALUATION
DATE OF CONTE
DATE OBTAINED
REFERENCES...,,
7
CLASSIFIC TION RE 22M
East Germany
Military Activities in the Eighth Gds Army Area
PAGES,.. ENCLOSURES (NO. & TYPE)
REMARKS
14 March 1955
1. Between 2 and 13 February 1955, the Nachriohten Kaserne (8504)
in Weimar was occupied by a unit of approximately 500 soldiers
wearing black-bordered black epaulets. Thirty soldiers wearing
black bordered black epaulets constructed field fortifications
along the fence on Duererstrasse in the east section of the
installation. On 8 February. approximately 60 soldiers wearing
black-bordered black epaulets and 2 officers with rifles marched
to the 3ohiesshaus firing range. On 10 February, a radio truck
with a generator in operation was seen in the south section of
the installation behind the motor vehicle sheds. Motor vehides
were also seen.
2. Between 2 and 13 February, the Nohra Fliegerhorst (8401/8402) in
Weimar was occupied by a unit of approximately 500 soldiers wearing
red-bordered black epaulets. All AA guns had been removed from
their emplacements. On 7 February,only 2 x 37-mm AA guns were seen
in the AAA emplacement in the former Erziehungsheim. Approximately
15 soldiers practiced service-of-the-piece drill with these guns.
On 9 February. these two guns had also been removed fromthis
emplacement. Motor vehicles
were seen.
3. Between 5 and 15 February, the Nachrichten Kaserne in Weimar was
occupied as previously by a signal unit of approximately 500 soldiers
who wore blue-bordered black epaulets with signal insignia.
On 8 February, approximately 200 soldiers' wearing blue-bordered
black epaulets and carrying cable reels and poles marched toward
Ettersberg.
4. Between 5 and 15 February, the Luetzendorf Kaserne (8503) in Weimar
was occupied as prow 1Y by approximately 1,200 soldiers including
UNCODED
25X1
25X1
- ?-e~a r'.rwu
Approved For Release 2009/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400630002-3
 Approved For Release 2009/01/06: CIA-RDP80-00810A006400630002-3
200 soldiers of a signal unit, 300 soldiers of an ALL unit and
700 soldiers wearing black-bordered red epaulets. Up to 200
??'licles
ng. P'~^+,,,?DED
UNCO
were Ovvsa.
5.
Between 5 and 15 February, the Panzer Kaserne (857) in Weimar
was occupied as previously by a rear detail of approximately 100
soldiers. No training or vehicular traffic were observed.
6. Between 5 and 15 February, the Flak Kaserne (8501) in Weimar was
occupied as previously by the following units:
a heavy AAA unit of approximately 270 soldiers
a heavy tank unit of approximately 300 soldiers
a motor transport unit of approximately 300 soldiers.
Although no heavy weapons were observed, it was assumed that
approximately 12 T-34/85 tanks and 8 x 85-mm AA guns were still
stationed in the installation. Little training was observed.
7. Between 5and 15 February. the Tannenberg Kaserne (8502) in Weimar
was still occupied to capacity by soldiers of infantry, signal,
mortar and motor transport units wearing blue-bordered black,
black-bordered red and red-bordered black epaulets. No training
was observed. During the last days of observation, groups of up
to 40 soldiers with infantry 'weapons marched toward Ettersberg. 1
8. On 2 February, the barracks installation inJena-Zwaetzen (8221)
was fully lighted except for building No 4.
A sentry observed wore
25X1
black-bordered crimson epaulets. Truck
entered the
installation. At noon on 5 February, a JS-2
tank and armored
25X1
personnel carrier No 609 entered the installation from the Land rafen
post tra;'^;^n nunds. On 9 February trucks
i ininnnrn
Ding an AA gun each and occupied by personnel wearing
red-bordered blank epaulets entered the installation.
9. At 1930 on 8 February. the following soldiers and materiel were
unloaded at the Saalebahnhof in Jena: 15 boxcarloads of soldiers
carrying full field equipment, 10 canvas-covered AA guns, 2 trucks
with billeting equipment includi 16 trucks
including 2 field kitchens and 1 jeep. The following
shipments were loaded at the station between 11 and 16 February:
11 February: At 1900, 12 trucks including some
carrying billeting equipment and mounting machine guns and towing 4
AA guns,of 70 to 80 mm, and 7 boxcarloads of personnel.
13 February: At 1700, 4 T-34/85 tanks 5 trucks,
1 field kitchen, 1 armored personnel carrier and 6 boxcarloads of
personnel, which left toward Naumburg at about 2300.
Approved For Release 2009/01/06: CIA-RDP80-00810A006400630002-3
 Approved For Release 2009/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400630002-3
16 Februarys From 1800 until after midnight, 6 rocket launchers,
2 JS-2 tanks, 1 JS tank chassis without turret, 15 trucks with
covered numbers, 2 field kitchens on trucks, 1 jeep and 12
boxcarloads of soldiers carrying full field equipment which had
come from the direction of the barracks installation,l-eft toward
Naumburg at about 0500 on 17 February. 2
10. On 30 January. the Zeitz Forest training grounds was cordoned off
by sentries wearing red-bordered black and black-bordered red
epaulets with tank insignia. Between 0800 and 13009 approximately
30 T-34/85 tanks including were seen. Truck
Jwas observed at the training grounds. No tank firing
was heard during the period.
11. Between 8 and 14 February, the Artillerie Kaserne (8542) west of
Friedensatrasse in Zeitz was occupied as previously by approximately
750 soldiers wearing red-bordered black epaulets including about 25
percent with tank insignia. At 1600 on 9 February, T-34/85 tanks
were seen on route from the Zeitz Forest training
groups to ie tillerie Kaserne. At 1300 on 10 February, 4 SU-100
guns entered the installation from the direction of Dr-ossdorf.
At 2000 on 14 February 6 tanks including T-34/85 tank
were seen in the installation.
12. Between 8 and 14 February, the Infanterie Kaserne (8541) east of
Friedensstrasse in Zeitz was occupied by some 500 soldiers wearing
black-bordered red epaulets including about 100 soldiers with
artillery insignia and approximately 350 soldiers wearing red-
bordered black epaulets including about 140 soldiers with tank and
a few with motor transport, artillery and signal insignia. At 0800
on 9 February, approximately 120 soldiers wearing white camouflage
clothing and equipped with 3 heavy machine guns on sledges entered
the installation from the direction of Golben. At 1000 on 14. Fe
a column of 8 canvas-covered rocket launchers including
and 8 trucks with soldiers wearing red-bordered black
epaulets with artillery insignia went from the Zeitz railroad station
toward the Zeitz Forest. 3
13. At 1400 on 9 February. a shipment of 10 tanks, 6 howitzers, 2
field kitchens and approximately 80 trucks including
was seen in Weissenfels en route
toward Halle. The escorting personnel carried full field equipment.
When the shipment returned at about 1300 on 10 February. only 10
trucks d no tanks were
observed. 4
14. Between4 and 11 February,_ the Infanterie Kaserne (8521) in
ffeissenfels was occupied by approximately 1,300 soldiers wearing
black-bordered red epaulets with artillery, motor transport and,
a few with signal insignia. At 0900 on 4 February, 6 trucks
towing 57-mm AT guns were seen at the
gate on Selauerstrasse. Approximately 100 soldiers practiced with
2 x 85-mm AT guns in the barracks yard. 5
Approved For Release 2009/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400630002-3
 Approved For Release 2009/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400630002-3
At 0930 on 8 February, the following column entered the installation
from the Weissenfels freight station: 7 trucks towing 7 x 37-mm
AA guns, 4 trucks towing 4 range finders, and 2 trucks with
billeting equipment mounting approximately 200 soldiers who wore
bl ack-bordered red epaule?,,,,,,~7'
were seen. 6
At 1000 on 11 FebruAr. approximately 225 soldiers wearing black-
bordered red epaulets and 10 trucks towing 57-mm AT guns were
lined up in the barracks yard.
15. Between 4 and 11 February. the Pionier Kaserne (8522) in Weissenfels
was occupied as previously by approximately 1,100 soldiers wearing
red-bordered black epaulets including about 440 soldiers with tank
and 165 soldiers with motor transport insignia.
The installation also quarteredoa riv --g
school of approximately 240 soldiers who wore red-bordered black
and black-bordered red epaulets. At about 0900 on 4 February.
T-34/85 tank left the installation and went toward Selau.
T-34/85 tank was seen in the barracks yard. At about 1000
on 11 February. T-34/85 tank E== and SP gun ~~were seen
on the loading ramp for armored vehicles.
16. Between 4 and 13 February, the Infanterie Kaserne in Weissenfels
was occupied by approximately 1,000 soldiers, including 750 soldiers
wearing black-bordered red epaulets and the others wearing red-
bordered black epaulets. No training was observed. The arrival of
barked round timber continued. Only 3 mortars were seen. The motor
vehicle sheds were occupied by an estimated 100 vehicles. At about
1900 on 7 February, a column including 6 trucks towing AT guns,
presumably of 76.2-mm, and carrying 30-soldiers each left the
installation. The soldiers carried infantry weapons and full field
equipment.
17. Between 4 and 13 February, the Pionier Kaserne ih Neissenfels
was occupied by an estimated 1,000 soldiers, including 600 tank
troopers, 250 engineer soldiers, 100 artillerymen and 50 construction
engineer soldiers. No heavy weapons were observed. It was assumed,
however, that the tanks were still stationed in the installation.
Timber was still being shipped to the installation. 5
18. On 7 February. the Prinz-Eugen Kaserne (8462) in Rudolstadt was
about 65 percent lighted. Except for the 6 x 76v2-mm AA guns in
front of the installation, no heavy weapons were observed.
19. Between 15 and 19 February. the Prinz-Eugen Kaserne in Rudolstadt 25X1
was occupied as previously by approximately 600 soldiers wearing
red-bordered black epaulets. On 16 February, the wathh tower
near the installation was occupied by 3 sentries. The 6 85-mm AA
guns and 4 heavy machine guns were still located in front of the
installation. An undetermined number of soldiers received
instruction on these guns. Trucks entered 25X1
and left the installation.
Approved For Release 2009/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400630002-3
 Approved For Release 2009/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400630002-3
20. Between 15 and 19 February. the Flak Kaserne (8461) in Rudolstadt
was occupied by an estimated 1,200 soldiers wearing red-bordered
black and blue-bordered epaulets. Little training, increasing guard
activity and very numerous arrivals and departures of officers were
observed. Motor vehicles
entered and left the installation.
21. On 18 and 19 February, the Finanzamt (8463) in Rudolstadt was
occupied to capacity by 500 to 600 soldiers who wore red-bordered
black a ulets. Little trai was observed. Motor vehicles
entered the installation. 7
22. Between 21 January and 5 February. the Prinz-Louis-Ferdinand Kaserne
(8481) in Saalfeld was fully lighted. The majority of the soldiers
wore red-bordered black epaulets and some wore black-bordered crimson,
black-bordered black and blue-bordered black epaulets. Approximately
120 soldiers wearing red-bordered black epaulets received infantry
training. Approximately 20 trucks and 2 M-13 rocket launchers and 25X1
up to 401soldiers were seen engaged 25X1
I - _ 4 - ......,..w
Vi.
ontooaa ~*y Twin _ A
wo
p
23. Between 1 and 3 February, the Prinz-Louis-Ferdinand Kaserne in
Saalfeld was occupied by an estimated 400 soldiers wearing red-bordered
black epaulets with artillery and motor transport insignia and
approximately 300 soldiers wearing black-bordered red epaulets.
In addition to training with 4 M-13 rocket launchers which involved up
to 200 soldiers, infantry training, driving school and physical
training were observed Motor vehicles seen in Saalfeld includad
and driving school trucks
each of which was
occupied by 5 soldiers wearing black-bordered red and red-bordered
black epaulets. 8
24. Between 3 and 13 February, the Koenig-Georg Kaserne (8443) in Plauen
was occupied by approximately 1,400 soldiers of the unit previously
observed there. The personnel wore red-bordered black epaulets. Some
70 soldiers engaged in drill. On 10 February, 3 trucks towing 85-mm
AT guns entered the
installation. No other heavy weapons were observed. The damaged
eastern wing of the installation was being reconditioned.
25. Between -3 and 21 February, the Hindenburg Kaserne (8442) in Plauen
was occupied as previously by approximately 1,800 soldiers wearing
black-bordered red epaulets. Some 100 soldiers engaged in drill and
physical training. The 6 x 85-mm AT guns which had been observed in
the east section of the installation on 30 January belonged in the
Koenig Georg Kaserne in Plauen. At about 1500 on 10 February. 12
trucks, each occupied by 15 soldiers wearing black-bordered red
epaulets, entered the installation from the direction of the
Kobitzschwalde training area. Motor vehicles
were seen.
At 1600, the vehicles were followed by 120 soldiers with rifles.
Approved For Release 2009/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400630002-3
 Approved For Release 2009/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400630002-3
26. Between 3 and 21 February. the Kirchbach Kaserne (8841) in Plauen
was occupied by 300 to 400 soldiers, including about 35 percent
wearing blue-bordered black epaulets with signal insignia and the
others wearing red-bordered black epaulets including some with
artillery insignia.
It was rumored that the units
stationed there would soon transfer to the Koenig Georg Kaserne
and that the installation was to be turned over the the KVP.
there was little
training at the Kobitzschwalde post training area. Up to 100
soldiers received training in firing. 9
27. At 1530 on 18 February, the following soldiers and materiel were
detrained at the Oberer Bahnhof in Plauen:
38 trucks, each occupied by about 15 soldiers wearing red-bordered
black epaulets, and including
and 1 jeep. The unit subsequently entered the Koenig-Georg Kaserne.9
1. lCo mment. The information does not indicate any change in the
distribution of army units of the Eighth Gds Army iaA elements of
the 20th Gds ec iv at the Weimar post since Janu 1 25X1
installation in Zwaetzpn by units of the 20th Gds Mecz Div,
omment. For information on the occupation of the barracks
The AA units which were detrained on 8 February and entrained on 11
February probably belonged to the 2504th Gds ALA Regt which, among
other units, is believed to be stationed in the installation. On 13
February, a tank firing detail of the 66th Gds Mecz Regt of the
division was apparently entrained, possibly for the Forst Zeitz
training area. The loading of rocket launchers on 16 February cannot
be explained since the 24th Gds RL Bn of the division is stationed
in Zeitz.
Comment. The installations of the Zeitz post are occupied as
previously by t$s,.kngwn units of the 20th Gds Mecz Div.F_~
elements
of the 3 th Gds Tank Regt practiced in the Zeitz Forest.
the rocket launchers which were detrained
on 14 February belonged to the 316th Gds RL Regt of the XXVIII Gds
Mtz Rifle Corps from Saalfeld and probably transferred to the Zeitz
Forest for exercises.
shipment was loaded ir#,or passed through, Weissenfels.
the train carried ar i ery and tank
details of the 57th Gds Mtz Rifle Div which may have transferred
to a training area (Letzling Heath ?) for firing practices.
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2009/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400630002-3
 Approved For Release 2009/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400630002-3
5.
Comment. The two installations appear to be occupied as
prey ously by units of the 57th Gds Mtz Rifle Div, except for the
AAA unit in the Infanterie Kaserne and the
engineer unit in the Pionier Kaserne, which were observed in these
installations for the first time.
units of the 932d AAA Bn of the 57th Gds Mtz Rile Div apparently
returned from firing practices. The AAA Bn had been believed to be
stationed in the Pionier Kaserne, however.
25X1
25X1
25X1
7. Comment. The information indicated that the Prinz-Eugen 25X1
Kaserne was occupied as previously by the 497 th AAA Regt of the
XXVIII Gds Mtz Rifle Corps. only 25X1
vaguely indicate that the 880th Engr Bn of the corps in the Flak
Kaserne and the Corps Hq are located in the Finanzamt.
8. Comment. The 316th Gds RL Regt of the XXVIII Gds Mtz Rifle
Corps and the 45th Gds Engr Bn of the 39th Gds Mtz Rifle Div, which
are believed to be stationed in the installation, are confirmed there
by service color and weapons.
9.
omment.
25X1
The announced transfer of the units stationed
in the Kirchbaoh Kaserne may help to clarify the occupation of the
military installations in Plauen. The artillery units, which were
detrained on 18 February and presumably returned from firing practices
at Ohrdruf, apparently belonged to the 87th Gun Arty Regt of the
division although, the equipment 25X1
of the regiment does not include 57-mm AT guns.
These AT guns may have belonged to the U/i AT Bn of the division which,
was believed to be stationed in 25X1
Rudolstadt in the fall of 1953? If this assumption is correct, the
battalion may be stationed in the Koenig-Georg Kaserne with the
Gun Arty Regt.
Approved For Release 2009/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400630002-3