MOTORCYCLE WORKS AT IRBIT
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP80-00810A006400780004-5
Release Decision:
RIPPUB
Original Classification:
C
Document Page Count:
20
Document Creation Date:
December 21, 2016
Document Release Date:
September 11, 2008
Sequence Number:
4
Case Number:
Publication Date:
May 10, 1955
Content Type:
REPORT
File:
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
![]() | 1.3 MB |
Body:
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY REPORT
INFORMATION REPORT CD NO.
COUNTRY USSR (Sverdlovsk Oblast)
SUBJECT motorcycle Works at Irbit
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF
INFO.
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES. WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE I8, SECTIONS 783
AND 794. OF THE U. S. CODE. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR REVEL-
ATION OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT BY AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON
IS PROHIBITED BY LAW THE REPRODUCTION OF THIS FORM IS PROHIBITED.
10 May 1955
NO. OF PAGES 10
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
is being forwarded as received.
2. A sample of aluminum alloy from the foundry of subject works has been
assigned Sovmat Item No. 3153.
CLASSIFICATION C-l -N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I A-L
STATE
ARMY
NAVY
AIR
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
NSRB DISTRIBUTION
FBI
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENTIAL
Cod NTRY
Mototsikletny Zavod Motorcycle Works at Irbit, Ural
EVALUATION PI ACE OBTAINED
DATE OF CONTENT
DATE OBTAINED DATE PREPARED
REFERENCES
25X1 -
15 February 1955
PAGES 4 ENCLOSURES (NO. & TYPE) 2 - two sketches with legends on ditto
REMARKS
1. The Mototsikletny motorcycle works, also called "BMW works" by PWs, was 25X1
located some 3 km southsoutheast of Irbit (57?50'N/60?38'B). A small
subsidiary plant called "Instrumental", equipped with three workshops,
was located in the eastern section of the town. Irbit is situated on the
railroad line, at some 150 km from Sverdlovsk (560501N/60?38'E) and some
80 km from Turinsk (58?03'N/63?40'E). A spur track from this line branched
off into the factory area. The plant was located some 200 meters east of the
much frequented highway leading from Irbit to the south. 1
2. During World War II. the machinery of a motorcycle factory near Moscow which
produced motorcrcles was transferred to Ir;>it and accouuaodated in 25X1
-1 an abandoned brewery. Until the end of the war, ammunition was manufactured in
some buildings of this brewery. After the closing down of the ammunition
production, the machinery of the motorcycle plant was installed in the old
and some new provisional buildings of the brewery and, in late 1945, the
production of motorcycles was started. In early 1946, PWs began the construction
of permanent workshop buildings. The old Soviet machinery equipment was
enlarged and replaced by dismantled machinery and reparations deliveries from
the GDR, and
All new buildings were finished in early
1947 and, after the installation of the machinery, production work was started
in mid-1947.
3. In 1950, the motorcycle plant covered an area some 700 by 500 meters. The
main workshops included the final assembly shop, the engine assembly
department, a workshop for the construction of gears and clutches, and a
workshop for the manufacture of components and the assembly of carburetors.
The plant also included: a blacksmith shop, two foundries, a hardening
department, a mofling department and a precision mechanics workshop. Subsidiary
departments included two garages with repair shops, a boiler house, a power
plant, two administration buildings, a storage shed for finished motorcycles,
an out-patient department, a school for children of factory workers, a house
ri AccIFirATinni CONFTD NTTAT.
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
CONFIDENTIAL/
for the manager, as home for apprentices, a fire brigade station, a gasoline
dump, a storage point for tires and materials, a wood working shop with a
nickel-plating department, and a stockyard for iron, steel and metal sheets.
In 1950, component parts for motorcycle engines were manufactured in one
large and four small workshops. Electricity was generated in a factory-owned
power plant, which received steam i inthe boiler house. Additional power
was delivered via a high-voltage line from two power plants in Irbit.
4. In early 1950, the plant manufactured 55-h. p. 6-cylinder water-cooled automobile
engines with a 2-liter capacity After inspection at 25X1
the test stand, the engines were shipped to an automobile factory at Ufa
(53?43'N/55?58'E) where they were mounted into the cars.
In the beginning, the production program involved 25X1
the manufacture of motorcycles of 350 and 600 cubic centimeters capacity
After completion of the new workshops in 1947, the
manufacture of models was started, such as solos and sidecar 25X1
machines of 250, 500 and 750 cubic centimeters ca city. Only one series of
eadh model were manufactured at a time. The designs were partly
modified. The was copied 25X1
and modified into the so-called M 72, which was equipped with front axle and
rear axle telescope springing, compressed steel frame, front wheel and
Cardan brake, a 20-liter fuel tank, and 4-speed pedal switch. The 2-cylinder
engine was rated at 24 h.p. and had a speed of 120 km per hour. All
motorcycles were painted greyish-green, the sidecars were designed to mount
machine guns, because the machines were meant for the exclusive use of the
Soviet army or Satellite armies. Acceptance was effected by army commissions.
About 80 percent of the shipments went by rail, the remainder by road. Rail
shipments were dispatched in sealed freight cars to Moscow or Kharkov
(50000'N/36?15'E). In 1947, a special consignment of 6,000 motorcycles was
shipped to Vladivostok. Although constructional designs and original motorcycles
were at hand, the Soviet-made machines were of 25X1
inferior quality. They were one third heavier and material wear was much
higher than in the Omodels. Frequently a general overhaul proved 25X1
necessary for machines that had not run more than 2,000 km. Since 1948,
individual racing motorcycles of 500 cubic centimeters piston displacement
were manufactured. In 1945, the monthly output was 90 items; by early 1947 this
figure rose to 200 and reached 875 in October 1947. A8 the result of the
discharge of a great number of PWs, the monthly output dropped considerably
to allegedly 30 percent or 270 items. By mid-4948, the monthly output increased
to 320 items and, during the period between October 1949 and January 1950,
remained at a steady 2,100 items. The norms had been fixed at 2,000. In 1947,
stagnation of the production progress was a frequent occurrence due to the
lack of raw materials. Such stoppages lasted up to 12 days. The Soviet forced
laborers also sabotaged the operation by disrupting the underground cables.
To make up for the deficit, in May and June 1947, 500 and 300 engines
respectively were delivered to the plant by located west 25X1
of the Ural Mts. Due to defective molds, 80 percent defective items were
manufactured at the foundry. 3
5. In 1947, iron and steel Ingots 50 x 20 x 10 cm were delivered to the plant.
The foundry was supplied daily with one 60-ton freight car load of aluminum
ingots 30 x 20 x 10 cm. In 1947, rubber tires were delivered from Leningrad.
Ball bearings were delivered by sidecars were delivered 25X1
by the "Instrumental" works at Irbit, which also delivered truck trailers. 4
6. When production work started in 1945, some 80 Piss and 20 Soviet specialists
and master mechanics were employed per, shift. Since early 1946, experts in
motorcycle construction and electrical installation operations were selected
from the PW camps located in the environs of Sverdlovsk. Since mid-1946, day
shifts were worked from 0730 to 1700 and night shifts from 1700 to 0100 or 0300.
By mid-1947, some 240 PW specialists, 300 PW handymen, and about 1,200 Soviet
forced laborers were employed on the day shifts. Some 80 PW specialists, 150 PW
handymen and 400 Soviets worked the night shifts. Until March 1947, some 300 PWs
were empl&yed at the erection of new buildings. After the discharge of a large
number of We in October 1947, only some 300 We and 150 Soviets were employed
at the plant. In 1950, some 1,500 Soviets worked the day shifts, and some 1,350
.?.,,,?077%?7qr & 25X1
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
CONFIDENTIAL)
Soviets were employed at the night shifts. About 60 percent of the labor
force were female. About 200 workers were komsomols. From 1948 until the
end of the period under review, an army colonel was manager of the plant.
Some 4 to 6 technical army officers were also permanently present. In
autumn 1947, the "Instrumental" component parts factory had a 1,000-man labor
force, With the exception of the master mechanics and gang bosses, all
Soviet workers were forced laborers. The proportion of females was about
60 percent. 5
7. The factory area was surrounded by a board fence topped with barbed wire.
The watch towers were permanently occupied by sentries equipped with
machine guns. The factory police included females, civilian guards, and
soldiers equipped with firearms and watch dogs. PWs had no access to the
power station. Since July 1948, the final assembly shop was permanently
guarded by a captdn and three soldiers.
1. Comment. For location sketch of the Irbit motorcycle works, see Annex 1
(not to scale in autumn 1949, the plant
was subordinate to the Glavmotoveloprom, the Main Administration for the
Motorcycle and Bicycle Industry at the Ministry of the Automotive and Tractor
Industry.
2. Comment. For layout plan of the Irbit motorcycle works, see Annex 2
(not to scale). The map does not include the four small worksho s which
manufactured automobile engines in 1949/1950,
The purpose o foundry No located
in the northwestern portion of the compound was presumably motor
blocks for automobile engines were cast there.
Comment
The
figures related to the output of motorcycles are believed to be correct. The
same applies to the reported special delivery of 6,000 motorcycles in 1947,
which presumably represented the total annual output. The reported 5 percent
overfulfilment of the monthly production target (2,100 items) in 1949/1950
is to be taken with reserve, in view of the fact that the targets had never
been reached until that time.
This
continuing underfulfilment was attributed to the low technical and economic
standards and the lack of consistency on the side of the work management, to
the existing disproportion between material supply and production, to a poor
power factor, to systematic harassment of material supply, and to poor tools
and storage.menagement. The plant was rebuked for its poor maintenance of
the machinery, for its lack of technical controls and the high percentage of
defective products resulting thereof, and for the lack of funds for the
construction of dwellings for factory workers. In 1951, the production target
was not reached, while the production costs were 1.9 percent above the planned
expenditures and during the first nine months of the year an extra 2 million
rubles of government funds had to be spent for unproductive operations.
4. Comment. It seems to be a fact that not all component parts were manufactured 25X1
at the Irbit plant but that parts were delivered by the Irbit "Instrumental"
factory 25X1
5. /comment. Exce t for the data for 1948 data regarding the labor force are
believed to be correct. one Vovk fn u) was manager
of the Glavmotoveloprom in autumn 1949. in 1949, a
number of leading engineers and officials were released from their posts and
transferred. This happened to the following persona: the chief of the tools
department, the chief of the central laboratory, the chiefs of three other
workshops, the chief technologist, the chief metallurgist, the chief of the
technical cadre OTK, the plant manager, the chiefs 'of the assembly and engine
departments, the deputy chief technologist, and to 10 other leading persona.
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-00810A006400780004-5
As a result of this measure, only two workshops were headed by trained and
experienced engineers in autumn 1949. All other workshops were headed by
master mechanics or by students from the Irbit Mototechnikum (school of
technology) graduated in 1947 and 1948. Little care was taken of the labor
force and the morale was low.
CONFIDENTIAL) 25X1
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-00810A006400780004-5
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
CONFIIENTIAL,
Annex 1 L
Location Sketch of the Irbit Motorcycle Works
ketPLaOf the
Legend,, see next page
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
CONFIDENTIAL4
Annex 1 1
-2-
Location Sketch of the Irbit Motorcycle Works
Legend:
1 - "Instrumental" plant which manufactured component parts for the motorcycle
plant. In 1947, this subsidiary plant consisted of three workshops. Truck
trailers and motorcycle sidecars were manufactured at one of the workshops.
The second floor of the building accommodated a precision mechanic shop and
an armature winding shop. The second workshop which manufactured motorcycle
parts contained milling machines, dies, pressing machines and machine tools.
The third workshop also manufactured motor-cycle parts and was equipped with
modern machinery such as automatic lathes.
2 - Power plant
3 - Power plant
4 - Irbit railroad station
5 - Glass factory
6 - Sverdlovsk - Turinsk railroad line
7 - PW camp No 7523/4
8 - Settlement for workers of the motorcycle plant
9 - Mototsikletny-Zavod motorcycle plant
10 - Camp for Soviet forced laborers and PWs sentenced to hard labor. The convicts
worked partly at the motorcycle plant, partly at a quarry some 4 km away.
11 - Railroad branch line to the motorcycle plant
12 - Highway from Irbit to the south, the plant was located about 200 meters east
of this road.
CONFIDENTIAL)
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
CONFIDENTIAL,
Layout Plan of the Irbit Motorcycle Works
[l
30
II
2.0
/7
/3
16
?If
ring rc 5c ci/L
Legend, see next page
Approved For Release
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
CONFIDENTIAL,
Layout Plan of the Irbit Motorcycle Works
Legend:
1 - Dumping area of iron, steel and metal sheets; in operation in autumn 1947.
2 - Storage shed 80 x 60 meters. In autumn 1947, tires, various tools, instruments,
acids, paints and lacquers were stored there.
3 - Old two-story brick building 100 x 40 meters, including in autumn 1947:
a. Sawmill and wood-working shop supplying wooden molds for the molding shep
as well as furniture
b. Storage rooms for tools and machine parts
c. Nickel-plating department.
4 - Workshop 100 x 50 x 12 meters. In January 1950, this shop was equipped with
some 100 machine tools and manufactured gears for automobib engines. This
workshop was surrounded by another four smaller workshops manufacturing
automobile engine parts. These workshops are not entered in the map.
5 - Garage 80 x 25 meters, in operation in autumn 1947
6 - Foundry, a brick building 50 x 30 x 15 meters, where motor blocks were cast
in January 1950
7 - Underground fuel depot 80 x 50 meters, in operation in autumn 1947
8 - Administration building, in operation in January 1950
9 - Corrugated-iron shed 150 x 40 x 12 meters for the storage of finished
motorcycles. Prior to the erection of this shed, the motorcycles were left
t;icre ir. the open. In January 1.950, motorcycles and engines were stored
there.
10 - Boiler and turbine house 40 x 35 x 15 meters, . brick building uith two 40-meter
airiokestucks, put into operation in 1945. There :'ere three boilers about
8 meters high and 2 meters in diameter burning coal dust. Coal was delivered
from the Yegorshino coal area which had a caloric value of from 4,800 to 5,200.
Steam was supplied to various machines for heating purposes and for generating
electricity. Three turbines were available. The underground cables leading
to the different workshops were repeatedly disrupted by forced laborers
in order to sabotage the operations.
11 - Dispensary
12 - School for children of factory workers, in operation in autumn 1947.
13 - House of the administrative manager.
14 - Two-story workshop, in autumn 1947 housing a turning department at the first
floor, a precision mechanic workshop at the second floor. The turning
department was equipped with a variety of about 200 machines. In mid-1948,
three large American automatic lathes were observed there.
15 - Power plant, in operation in 1947. Steam was supplied by the boiler house.
16 - Foundry for grey castings and white metal castings, about 50 x 30 meters
with a 30-meter smokestack. In autumn 1947, 11 smelting furnaces including
5-6 Martin furnaces were available, in addition to several electric smelting
furnaces of German (Siemens, AEG) or Swedish made. Cylinder blocks, piston
rings, babbitt metal cylinders, casings, brake backing plates, bushings and
pistons were manufactured there.
f%n& 'rr0%T.TmT At 25X1
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
C0NFIEENTIAL
17 - Hardening and grinding department, about 50 x 30 meters. In autumn 1947,
abrading and grinding machines, several milling machines, lathes and test
stands were available at this shop.
18 - Blacksmith shop 80 x 40 x 15 meters with a 50-meter smokestack. In autumn
1947, two 5-ton steam hammers with punching, pressing and bending devices
were in operation, in addition to a large 20-ton steam hammer and several
spring hammers. There was one large compressed-ai' furnace and 10-12 small
electrically-heated as well as coal and oil-burning furnaces. This shop
manufactured frames, rims, shafts, axles, flanges and lugs.
19 - Workshop about 100 x 40 x 15 meters, put into operation in February 1947.
By autumn 1947, the following equipment had been installed: about 35 German,
American and Russian lathes, 20-30 boring and milling machines, 10-15
grinding machines including several cylinder grinding machines, and
several autogenous and electric welding units. This workshop produced
various parts such as steering gears. In one department carburetors were
assembled, in another, cylinders and pistons were ground. The welding
department welded frames, mudguards, and gasoline tanks.
20 - The gears department which measured about 120 x 40 x 15 meters was put into
operation in March 1947. Seven rows of about 40 machines including lathes,
milling machines, boring and grinding machines were available and were
connected by an assembly line. Springs, nuts and bolts, axles, cardan shafts,
cylinder heads, and different kinds of gears were, manufactured there. In addition
to the assembly of couplings, gears were assembled at department a,
located in the western portion of the workshop.
21 - Engine workshop, a two-story building 150 x 40 x 15 meters. The old Russian
machinery equipment was replaced by American machines including lathes,
automatic lathes, planers and dies. Finished parts were stored at the
second floor. All motorcycle parts other than cylinder blocks were manufactured
at this shop. Engines were also assembled there.
22 - Molding and cleaning department, about 100 x 40 meters. Molds for the
foundry were made there and castings were cleaned.
23 - Garage and repair shop for factory-owned cars, in operation in autumn 1947.
24 - Four-story administration building about 25 x 15 meters, put into operation
in summer 1946, containing administration offices and technical bareaus.
25 - Main workshop for the final assembly of motorcycles, a building 150 x 40 x 15
meters with an annex (a) to the east about 00 x 20 x 10 meters, which housed
the paint-spraying department. This workshop included several departments
for punching, turning, boring, welding and grinding purposes, and was
equipped with an assembly line and several test stands. Prior to 1945,
ammunition had been produced at this shop, which was then converted into
the final assembly shop for motorcycles. The finished machines tested
and then dispatched for test runs.
26 - Fire brigade station, a two-story building 40 x 20 meters, put into
operation in autumn 1947 and equipped with three fire engines.
27 - Apprentices home, a two-story building 60 x 30 meters
28 - Guard house
29 - Factory roads, The main factory road traversed the compound from north to
south and was constructBdr,30 meters wide of reinforced concrete. The main
entrance was to scheduled to be built at the northern end. A road running
outside the compound along the northern boundary was a wooden structure
10 meters wide. In mid-1947, another road was built along the southern
boundary.
30 - Watch towers
25X1
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
CLASSIFICATION
,*-WTELLI?FNCE AGENCY
IN RMATION REPORT
REPORT
CD Ng.
COUNTRY USSR (Sverdlovsk Oblast)
SUBJECT 0 rb
AND 781. OF Till O. S. CO 8l~ llR4.
ATION OF ITS CONTXNT9 i CIIFT' IT
WK7
1. Attached is
war W or PW
? ,-
aseigx ervmat ? 3303. " ?
PINFO
2. A sample of-i num alloy from the foundry of subject works has been
"
10 : $y 1955
25X1
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
DATE DISTR.
I Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
CCNF17ENTIAL
for the manager, a home for apprentices, a fire brigade station, a gasoline
dump, a storage point for tires and materials, a wood-working shop with a
nickel-plating deportment, and a stockyard for iron, steel and metal sheets.
In 1950, component parts for motorcycle engines were manufactured in one
large and four small workshops. Electricity was venerated in a factory owned
power plant, which received steam 1 Omtho boiler house. Additional power
was delivered via a high-voltage line from two power olants in Irbit,
4. In early 1950, the plant manufactured 55-h.p. 6-cylinder water-cooled automobile
engines with a 2,-liter capacity After inspection at 25X1
the test stand, the engines were shipped to an automobile factory at Ufa
(53?43'N/55?5?3'E) where they were mounted into the ears.
In the beginning, the ;)roduetion program involvod 25X1
the manufacture of motorcycles of 350 and 600 cubic eentineters capacity
After coraiuletion of the now workshops in 191+7, the
manufacture of models was started, such as solos and Sidecar 25X1
machines of 250, 500 and 750 cubic centimeters ea acity. Only one series of
each model wore manufactured at a time. The designs were partly
modifi'UN was copied
and mocui~aa into the so-tailed M 72, which was equipped with front axle and 25X1
rear axle telescope springing, compressed steel frame, front wheel and
Cardan brake, a 20-liter fuel tanlc, and 4-sacod pedal switch. The 2-cylinder
engine was rated at 24 h. p. and had a speed of 120 km per hour. All
motorcycles were painted greyish-green, the sidecars were designed to mount
machine Taris, because the machines wore meant for the exclusive use of the
Soviet army or Satellite armies. Acceptance was effected by army commissions.
About 00 percent of the shipments went by rail, the remainder by road. Rail
shipments were dispatched in scaled freight cars to Moscow or Kharkov
(50oc0'i,/36o151r). In 19411, a special consignment of 6,000 motorcycles was
shipped to Vladivostok. Although constructional designs and original motorcycles
were at hand, the Soviet-made machines were of 25X1
inferior quality. The were one third heavier and material wear was much
higher than in the models. Frequently a general overhaul proved 25X1
necessary for machines that had not run more than 2,000 km. Since 1948,
individual racing motorcycles of 500 cubic centimeters piston displacement
were manuf':actu red. In l945, the monthly output was 90 items; by early 1947 this
figure rose to 200 and reached 875 in October 1947. As the result of the
discharge of a great number of Ply's, the monthly output; d.roppcd considerably
to alle.:;edl.y 30 percent or 270 items. By mid-" ;9f+,",, the monthly output increased
to 320 items and, during the period between Octobe- 1949 and January 1950, .
remained at a steady 2,100 items. The norms had been fixed at 2,000. In 1947,
stagnation of the production progress was a frequent occurrence due to the
lack of raw materials. Such stoppages lasted up to 1.2 days. The Soviet forced
laborers also sabotaged the operation by disrupting the underground cables.
To make up for the deficit, in May and June 1947, 500 and 300 ines
respectively were delivered to the plant by engines
west 25X1
of the Ural its. Due to defer wive molds, 80 percent defective items were
manufactured at the foundry. 3
In 1947, iron end steel ingots 50 x 20 x 10 cm were delivered to the plant.
The foundry was supplied daily with one 60-ton freight car load of aluminum
ingots 30 x 20 x 10 era. In 1947, rubber tires were delivered from Leningrad.
Ball bearings ere delivered by sidecars were de: ivered 25X1
by the "Tns :r ur.ontallt works at r it, which also d?~livc red truck trailers. 4
6. When production work started in 1.945, some 80 P'Ws and 20, Soviet specialists
and mavter mochan .cs were onaloye:l per shift. Since early 1946, experts in
motorcycle construction and electrical installation operations were selected
from the Pitt camps located in the environs of Sverdlovsk. Since Enid--1946, day
shifts nacre 4. orb ed from 0730 to 1700 and night shifts from 1700 to 0100 or 0300.
By mid-1947, some 240 PW spo ,cialists, 300 Pie handymen, and about 1,200 Soviet
forced laborer;: ware employed on the day shifts. Some 80 PW specialists, 150 Pt.t
handymen and 400 Soviets worked the night shifts. Until March 1947, some 300 We
were employed. at the erection of new buildings. After the discharge of a large
number of PWs in October 1947, only some 300 Pigs and 150 Soviets were employed
at the plant. In 1950, some 1,500 Soviets worked the day shifts, and some 1,350
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
Approved For Release 2008/09/11: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400780004-5
CO' I `)';l.u.
Soviets were employed at the night shifts. About 60 percent of the labor
force were female. About 200 workers were komsomols. From 1945 until the
end of the period under review, an army colonel was nana gar of the plant.
Some 4 to 6 technical army officers were also permanently present. In
autumn 1947, the "Instrumental" component parts factory had a 1,000-man labor
force, With the exception of the master mechanics and Can, bosses, all
Soviet workers were forced laborers. The proportion of females was about
60 percent. 5
7. The factory area was sltrrounded by a board fence topped with barbed wire.
The watch towers were permanently occuoied by sentries equipped with
machine guns. The factory police included females, civilian guards, and
soldiers equipped with firearms and watch dogs. PiIs had no access to the
Dower station. Since July 1948, the final assembly shop was permanently
guarded by a captAn and three soldiers.
1. I ~Coc'mant. For location sketch of the Ir'oit Motorcycle vorlss, see Annex 1
n toon too scale). in autumn 1949, the plant
was subordinate to the Glavmotoveloprom, the Main Administration for the
I?:otorcycle and Bicycle Industry at the Ministry of the Automotive and Tractor
Industry.
2. Comment. For layout plan of the Irbit motorcycle works, see Annex 2
(not to scale). The map does not include the four small workshops -which
manufactured automobile engines in 1949/1950
The purpose of foundry No 1prated
in the northwestern portion of t e compound was doubtful, presumably motor
blocks for automobile engines were cast there.
Comment.
The
figures related to the output of motorcycles are believe o correct. The
same applies to the reported special delivery of 6,000 motorcycles in 1947,
which presumably represented the total annual output. The reported 5 percent
overfulfilment of the monthly production target (2,100 items) in 1949/1950
is to be taker with reserve, in view of the fact that the targets had never
been reached until that tire.
25X1
25X1
This 25X1
continuing underfulfilment was attributed to the by technical and economic
standards and the lack of consistency on the side of the work management, to
the exist_irg disproportion bet-ween material supply and production, to a poor
power factor, to systematic harassment of material supply, and to poor tools
and storage management. The plant was rebuked for its poor maintenance of
the machinery, for its lack of technical controls and the high percentage of
defective products resulting thereof, and for the lack of funds for the
construction of dwellings for factory workers. In 1951, the production target
was not reached, while the +rod.uction costs were 1.9 percent above the planned
expenditures and during the first nine months of the year an extra 2 million
rubles of government funds had to be spent for unproductive operations,
4.
Comment. it seems to be a fact that not all component parts were manufacturee25X1
at the Irbit plant, but that parts were delivered by the Irbit "Instrumental"
factory
25X1
5,
Comment. Except for the data for 1948, data regarding the labs*r force are
belie=red. to be correc one Vovk (fnu) was manager
25X1
of the Glavmotoveloprom in autumn 1949. in 1949, a
number of leading engineers and officials were released from their posts and 25X1
transferred. This happened to the fallowing persons: the.chief of the tools
department, the chief of the central laboratory, the chiefs of three other
workshops, the chief technologist, the chief metallurgist, the chief of the
technical cadre OTK, the plant manager, the chiefs of the assembly MA engine
departments, the deputy chief technologist, and to 10 other leading pereone.
CC TIMI'