CITY OF BIELSKO-BIALA

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Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP82-00047R000100110005-2
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RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
8
Document Creation Date: 
December 27, 2016
Document Release Date: 
April 3, 2013
Sequence Number: 
5
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
December 13, 1951
Content Type: 
IRR
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PDF icon CIA-RDP82-00047R000100110005-2.pdf704.44 KB
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1?.,; 11:74.371 /61q Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000100110005-2 ULASb11-1(AlION SECRET/SECURITY INFO CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY INFORMATION Ft E:PC)F1 COUNTRY Poland SUBJECT City of Bielsko-Biala THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS I NNNNN NTION AIIICTINO THE N NNN OF THE UNITED NNNNNNN WITHIN THE MEANING OF T171.2 10, SECTIONS 793 AND 794, OF iNg U.S. CODE, Al ANENUCU. I IUNION OR RISK. AAAAAA OP ITS CO NNNNNN TO DO *CEBU.? IT AN UNAUTHO NNNNN PERSON IS PROHIBITED MY LAN. TNt NNNNNN UCTION OF THIS FOOM IS PROHISITED. DATE DISTR. 43 ACC 1951 NO. OF PAGES 8 NO. OF ENCLS. (LISTED BELOW) SUPPLEMENT TO REPORT NO. THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION 50X1 1. Bielsko-Bi a1 is the center of the Polish textile industry. There are about 120 or 130 textile mills located here which perform all steps in the pro- cessing, spinning and weaving of wool, cotton and linen. Because there were so many mills located in Bielsko, clothing was more plentiful than in other Polish cities. It was, however, expensive. A good, wool suit cost about 1200 - 1300 zlotys, the equivalent of the average factory worker's wages for two months. 50X1 . The food situation was poor in Bielsko, but better than in most Polish cities. It was still necessary to stand in line for hours in order to purchase any item of food sold by the state shops. Nbst people preferred to buy from the farmers since they had a wider selection and their prices were slightly lower than the state stores. In June 19510 one kilo of butter cost 26 - 30 zlotys in state aha,,most meat, abOnt112 zlotys per kilo; eggs, one zlotys each andAtillil 11 zlOtya'a:litet.1-- 50X1 there was a one to two million zloty shortage in the funds of the government food shops. There was little black market 50X1 activity because of the strict controls. Since 19500 the death penalty was imposed on anyone convicted of illegal traffic in foreign currency. 50X1 There were fre uent shortages of water in the Bielsko-Biala district, which were due to the increase ,of water consumption over the 50X1 pre-war level. At noon on weekdays, there was hardly any water pressure throughout the city. work was in progress to supply water from Porabka (4949N-1914E). Pipes 50X1 lying along the road to this village. ' CLASSIFICATION SECRET/SECUMMOPRIFORMATION . 3. )( DISTRIBUTION )( AIR EV X A)F42, )=444 yfl[;041 StC RET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000100110005-2 ',rawly* ? ,,, -. Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-00047R0001001710.005-2 _tit /5 /SECURITY INFORMATION critical housing shortage eXistad in the area (Man thOUgh about 20 thousand taOtory-workers did not live in the city and commuted from various sUrrolinding villageS. In July 1951, an Order Was issued by thE city *bleb fixed the number of squire meters of living space for each inhabi- tant. A single perSon was permitted eight square meters; a woman with One child, 11 square 'meters; students also were allowed 11 square meters. (he Points listed hereunder refer to overlay* City Plan of Bielsko-Biala, a copy of which is available at CIA Map Libraryj ,Point #1 WAIN RAILWAY STATION. It was about 100 x 30 x 5 meters, of light-brick,-with a dark-red tile rOof. There were about 12 tradki, at the Station. It handled passengers ind freight, the latter consisting primarily of the products of the Bielsko textile Mills. #2 RIAU RAILWAY STATION. This was a small, somewhat dilapidated Station, 40 x 10 50 of light brick, with i dark-red tile roof. There were about five tracko at the station. BIALAL.IPNIK STATION. -A wooden Shed about five by five meters With a7low.,pitcheds gable-type, wooden roof, ,This station was need primarily by factory workers. 44 STARE BIELSKO 'RAILWAY STATION. Thii was the Oans sort of building as. described in point #3* It was used by suburban diallers travelling to and from the city. TOWN HALL. A long "U" shaped building, facing sontheast, of red brick with a red tile roof. It was about 70 m in the front; the wings were about eight meters wide. It was uSed for city administrative offices. #6 CITY COMMUNIST PARTY HEADQUARTERS. A four story building, about 30 x 20 x 25 ml built of brick and plastered gray.. It had a flat i0Of and housed various Communist Party offices, including those of the press, housing and agriculture. #1 DISTRICT COMMUNIST HEADQUARTERS. It was a former factory- owner's Wise, built in "baronial" style, about 20 i-15 x 200 two-stories, of brick covered With White plaster. There was a tower in the center of the building. le BUILDING OF THE "UB" (Urzad Bezpieczenstwa). A house occupied by.the'Poiiih Secret Police; bribk? covered with white Plaster, about 25 x.15 n4 'it had two stories. It had a red tile, gable- type roof. It cuntained offices and what were commonly called "interrogation cellars". -#9 CIVIL POLICE HEADQUARTERS. A brick building obvered with white plaster, about 30 x 15 k 15 16 Its cellars contained cells for the contemporary detention of civil offenders. ,#10 BIALA POLICE HEADQUARTERS. A former apartment house, about 30 x20 k.12 ml with a flat roof. It was generally believed .that there las considerable UP. activity here. 10a OLD BIALA POLICE HEADQUARTERS. A brick building, covered with "dirty gray" plaster, about 25 x 10 x 9 m With a red tile, gable-type roof. Used as a civil police station. #11 BIELSKO MAIN FE STATION. A brick building, covered with gray plaster, with a red tiles, gable-type roof. The first floor garaged 15 fire engines; they were Krup and Che4rolet- type engines. #5 &CHI SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000100110005-2 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 50-Yr2013/04/03:CIA-RDP82-00047R006100116605-2 or, nu a SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION - 3 - 012 BIALA FIRE STATION. This building was of yellow brick, about 30 x 10 x 8 m, with a high-pitched, gable-type roof of red tile. In the spring of 1951, seven fire trucks here. #13 POST OFFICE. A triangular "flatiron-typeN building; sides9 about 50 in long; front, about 10 in across; brick, covered with cream-colored plaster; a red tile, gable-type roof; a small clock tamer rose above the roof. #14 BIELSIO MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL. A unit made up of five two-story buildings Situated in a park. These buildings were constructed of red brick, with red tile, gable-type roofs. #15 DIAL HOSPITAL. An 'IP shaped buildini, about 120 m long, with end -wings about_40 in long; two stories high; brick, Covered with white plaster, with a red tile, gable-type roof. This was a general hospital. #16 rIMECIT PONTR STATION. 'The only power station in the city. wo smokestacks about 30 in tail. #17 CITY OAS KANT. With two large storage tatks. 50X1 50X1 50X1 50X1 418 Amway GARRISON. About 1400 x 300 ni housing the Jednostka IrajskawaNa. 1063 Regiment. The buildings dated fro7 the 1st 50X1 1,604 Mar. In May of 1951, 12 Men built i small-arms range here on the southern edge of the girrieon. The buildings were built of red brick, Single 50X1 Story, except for the Hq building and the EMmest hall. This pc:tat was commanded by a Russian in Polish uniform. These officers were Changed every three: to four months; the last officer held the tatk of Mapr. nmediuM.4 i e, 50X1 Soviet glint here, there were plans to _ 50X1 renovate all the buildings in the garrison in the summer of 2951. Earlier. in February. Mir& and April, 50X1 Soviet vehicles in this garrison. 50X1 #19 FORMER rummy OAWRTSON. Used to house young female apprentices who *larked in Various factories in Bielsko. It was rumored that this Was a female political indoctrination -center. However, the 50X1 apprentices Were to be Moved out by the end of ane 1951 and Soviet troops Moved in. :Renovation of the buildings and the conatruCtich of nww bhildinwe began in May of 1951 50X1 Soviet airmen were to come ere.: The building:3 were brick, covered with ci.Asam?nn1nrm4 nliamtar,. With ?able-type roofs of red tile. 50X1 people were being moved out of private dwellings in the area of this garrison to make room for incoming troops. 50X1 #20 "BISPOL00 spar AND BOLT FACTORY. The largest factory of its kind in Poland, it was of pre-mar construction, about 100 m long, one- story., red_ brick, With a saitooth4ype roof made of red tiles. this factory employed 3000 workers. It was supposed to have procured Material from Silesia and to have exported a large part of this production to the satellites. ,#20a IIBISPOLN SCREW AND BOLT FACTORY. Five buildings, all still under construction in ate 1951. About 1/4 of the plant was it production when I left. The Main production building was about 300 x 30 X 7 mis, with interior supports in the form of brick columns. This building was built of reinforced concrete, with .a low-pitched, gable-type roof of concrete. It bad windows along its front, spaced at intervals of bout 4 in. SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION ' 111* 1.1, 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000100110005-2 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000100110005-2 SEORET/SECVRITY INFORMATION SallFt 4- 14 - The plan was to Move the majorit of the workers from the other factory, (#20) into this.].ant. the director df this t?ol7.n.Merchl9S1 wore a Polish Army Uniform. he hold t e tank of major. _ !/21 TEITILB MA0HI1IW-MANUFAZTURING PLANT. Called Befama Moltke l'abrYka Mestyn) after 1949; fOrmerly'khoen as Josephy._ A large, rectangular building about 150 in long, 100 in Nide and three stories high.... .Built of light-colOreds.reinforced concrete; flat rooticlth-sXylights. it had about 2,000 iloployease,. Under the German occupation it manufactured *porn - pot" type antiaircraft-kUns. it was te*, . , have a military director. #22 PUMP- FACTORY. Before the war it was caned- Schmeyer; about - 19149, it was renaked for. a POlieh Communist. Brick building,.. tattered with light-colored plaster. #23 FLFCTRIC MDTOR FACTORY. : ProdUeed Vatioulf sites of electrie tatitOte; About 100 x '25 ic 114-Mt; -three -Stories. An out brick building covered itith oreani4olored" plaster; a law-pitched, gable-;tYpia "roof lade of wood. Up to 1949, it was called Potlaltski. #24 BOX' FACTORY; abont"120 ji 25 k-12 briCk *with irith reinfortsed concrete " flat roof. that there were 200 - 300 employees. . . ? #2$ oovpiatarr BREWERY; Called Beskit. A" bitilding iabbixt 70 I 30 -XIS" SI; britik,"Ociiered with cream-colored plaster; a red tile, gable-type roof:, #26 GLIDER-FACTORY.. Wariztaty. Stybowberore. This factory wits to *ire to Bieltko/Alekeindrinilde airfield in August - 1951.- It was 614-wobdtiii"buildinelibout'50 20 X-4ircioden robf dotrered with tar "iiipar:T.' Thiswana-catbilied-teating and 'Construction 1At'!?iuing and" tit-Sting iirottitii gliders; "'Its - diritettir itis-(frin) Tokarkefiliki; an ardent- Communist. " This factory had " about 100- eitplOYees; It manufactured single-seats and only occasionally, twin-place gliders. .#27 BRICKYARD. About 70 211 long and 25 m wide. #28 =arab. (See #27).,. #29 SAWMILL.- Abadt 60 x30 x 12 in; brick: It produced lumber **elusively fdr construction purposes. #30 TICK:YARD. About $00;,root.th of the glider factory. wq. #31 tiUSED BRICKYARD. .ht BURNED-OUT FLOM KELL: AbOut 150 x 30 x 10 - 15 m. #33 EATPACTORY. The largest hat faotory in Poland.' Called Miter. About 100 M long, 30 in wide and three stories high.. ,Built Of brick, -Covered with light plaster; flat, wooden roof with skylights. #334 RAT FACTORY. (See #33) #34 LIB= PROCESSING' AND"WEAVING PLANT. Called LelnkO. About x . 30:x io in; red brick; 'bliCk, ? sheet metal, gable-type roof. 'It eMployed about 500 people. SECRET SECIMITY INFORMATION StP2FT 50X1 50X1 50X1 50X1 50X1 50X1 rorT Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000100110005-2 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000100110005-2 SECRET/SECWITY INFORMATION &MET - 5 - #35 TEXTILE MILL. About 70 x 30 oclit m; brick, covered with white plaster; a gable-type roof-Covered with tar paper. It specialized in articles made of webbing. #36 SPINNING-MILL. Called Trojkat WKole. It made woolen thread and yarn. About 70 x 30 x 12 m; reinforced Concrete; low- pitched, gable-type roof with skylights. #37 SPINNING ZELL. Spun both woolen and cotton threads. About 70 x 30 k 8 m.; brick covered with a light-coloted plaster; wooden, gable-type roof covered with tar proper. #38 SPINNING MILL. Spun both woolen and cotten threads. About 50 x 20 x 8 meters; brick, covered with light-colored plaster; wooden, gable-type roof covered with tar paper. #39 SPINNING MILL. "Spun woolen and cotton threads. About 50m long, 25"m Wide; two stories.- Built of brick, covered with a light-cOlored plaster; wooden, gable-type roof covered with tar paper. #40 SPINNING MILL. Spun woolen and cotton threads. About 50 x 30 t8 m; red brick; wooden, gable-type roof covered with tar paper. #41 STREETCAR TERMINAL; A NI"' Shaped building; the inside of the nUn Was abont-50 id, the arms aboit 20-aq red briCk; roof covered with tar paper. About 16 tracks led into the terminal? #42 CATHOLIC CEMETERY. #43 CATHOLIC CEMETERY. #44 PROTESTANT (LUTHERAN) CEMETERY. #45 PROTESTANT (LUTHERAN) CEMETERY.. #46 SUNNING POOL. ,Abolit'50-x 30 ra., A-public pool with a pavilion and restaurant. #47 JEWISH CEMETERY. ? #48 PARK. #49 RIVER PARK. #50 LAKE. Swampy; it had water only in wet seasons. Clay was taken from here for the brickyards in the city. #51 MIXERS HOUSING PROJECT. Built in 1949; consisted of six to seven buildings of various sizes, all two stories. Eachrunit had two room, a-kitchen and a very small bathroom. Brick, covered with cream-colored plaster; sheet metal roofs. #52 COMNUNIST YOUTH HOUSING PROJECT. Built in 1950; one building, about 100 x.30 L, 40 m; two stories. Erick, Covered with cream- colored plaster. It housed about 500 youths. . #53 WORKERS HOUSING PROJECT. Still under construction in June 1951. About 30 houses of Various sizes and shapes; red tile roofs. #54 (See point #52). SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION StCR'mFT 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000100110005-2 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-00047R066160110005-2 #5$ SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION - 6 - WORKERS HOUSING PROJECT. Six houses of various sizes and shapes; two stories; red tile roofs. This project was still under con- struction in June 1951. #56 BUS TERMINAL. A square opposite the railroad terninal. Buses from Katowice and the south generally arrived and departed here. #57 NEW STREETCAR LINE. Supposed to have been completed 22 Jul 51. t a It was to follow Pialorska Street from therailroad station for about two kilome . It had a loop at the end for return trips. #58 MARGARINE' PROCESSING PLANT,' Abont'50 m long0'30 aivldi; one floor. Dark red brick; gabletype root covered with tar paper. #59 MARGARINE'FROCESSING-PLANT.- This plant Walf,heing-rebuilt in June 1951. celled Peilski-ZikladY-TiUsZolow. About 100 m lei*, 40'M Wide; two floors. Brick; wooden roof covered with sheet metal. #60 MARKET PLACE.- About 00-x 50 m0 partially covered with cobble- stones and cinder0.- A, general Market for farmers from the Surrounding irillage?a,Who came hare on Wdneadlays and Saturdays to sell their goods. #61 BIALA MARKET PLACE. About 200 jc 100 in, coireredwithconcreti. Farmers from surrounding villages brought their produce here. #62 ST. NICHOW.CHURCH. 'The -largest church in the area. Sandstone; had a tower about 35 high. #63 -LENIN STREET. The main street of the dity3. until-March 19510 it was knOwn'as Igo Neje. Street. 'About 12. m-Wide's Surfaced with cobblestones. A:streetcar lite followed this street. #64 PIATOWSKAV STREET. A new streetcar line# installed in the spring 01'19510 followed this street. An important City bypass for tracke-Coming VfrOniKatowice going to Czechoslovakia. Surfaced with cobblestones and macadam. #65 MAIN ROAD TO, KATOWICE AND WARSAW. About 10 nivide0.was .74 surfaced with cobblestones. Called Armii Czerwonej. #66 MA-INROAD TO THE CZECH BORDER. About eight metereriiride; surfaced with cobblestones. In excellent condition. #67 MAIN ROAD TOACRAMOW, Called Llgo Listopada0 surfaced with cobblestones, about eight meters wide. #68 ROAD TO ZYWIEC. Called Zywiecka0 about eight meters wide covered With cobblestones as far as the city limits; after this point, it was macadamized. #69 SHOPPING CENTER, Called Rynek. About 150 x 150 ml covered with crushed rock and bordered by various types of shops. #70 FREEDOM SQUARE, Called Plac Wolnosci, About 150 x 150 m. Used for political rallies. #71 SQUARE. Called Chrobry. The Bielako center for political demon- strational communist rallies and loudspeaker propaganda. About 90 x 90 m4 SECRET/SECURITY T'ONFRMATION AtNalr Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000100110005-2 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000100110005-2 SECRET/SECORTIV 1:70114ATION sEcifi 50X1 .? 7 - #72 SQUARE. Called SmefrIki. 'Triangular; about 100 x 50 x_120 m. #73 SQUARE." Called Z4/.6 " and. Wigibra. -Trier*ler; about 3.00 x 100 x 60 m; surfaced with cobtilestones. #714 DLUCIA TRTO Abolit six meters wide; covered with cobblestones. #75 KAZIMIZRZA"WIELICIECIO STREET. About six to seven meters wide; surfaced with cobblestones. , . RZEITICIZA STELEET.?AbOUt .10 m"*ide; Surfaced with cinders. axed for a slaughterhouse located on the street. #77 MICkiEwiCZA STREW. About eight meters Sder; macadandzed surfact. #78 KILASINICIEGO STREET. About 11 m wide; surfaced with cobble- stone. #79 SLOWACKIEGO STMT.. "About 12 m"widei?sfirfaCed with c?hbl&- stone0 It had .a pion, a courthouse, -:SCOols and a public hall uslad for political rallies and dsnce4. #80 SOBIESKI:BOO STREET. About .1.0 m "wide; " Sur aced with CObblielitone. Lined with dwelling 'houses. The infantry garriser was here. (See point #19) #81 SQUARE. 'Called PIA& ZWyCiestwa. Covered an area about 2500 sauare meters) surfaced with uneven stones; T #82 BIALKA.RIVER;'.-AboUt 10 m wide. There was no possibility for navigation. 50X1 #83 RAIMOAD .TO KATOWICE. Dotib1e4riticked..' Carried heairy.- traffi,40.. January -1951 %St the Soviets irate-bdilding reilkiiiid"junOtion .fOr military purposes leiding frail Diiedzide "(14955N-19(i13)".intO" forest whi?h lay to thiratiit-soUth'weat." . 50X1 inoth0-iiipeitent-new junction was tO:be built leas than 10 km from Bielsko. #84 RAILROAD-LINE TO KRAKOW. Single-tradklids, in Odd #85 RAILROAD 'LINE TO PIESZYL Single-traok the, in good condition.. #86 ,RAILROAD `LINE TO ZiWIEC.-- Single-tra.ck thes, in good :condition. -.'f'he "'nue passed under the city for about 200 me #87 MAIN FACTORY OF THE TEXTILE KOMBINAT "MARIAM& BUCZKA. One about 120 x 120 x 8 - 10 M. Red brick; sal- tooth type. rOof with. skYliglits spaced along the serratiOtie. About" 300-petip1e were SiapIoyed here.. SUrrounded by a barbed Wire fends, eithept in front, where it Was protected by a Wire mesh fence, both about three meters high. #88 SUBSIDIARY FACTORY OF THE KONBINAT MARIANA BUCZKA One teiy41asitereds brick building; about 120 x.120 x 15 mo two flOors3' loa-pitched gable,'-type rOof covered with tar paper. About 100 people were employed here. Surrounded by a brick wall about five meters high. SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000100110005-2 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-60647R000100116005-2 tFORET f SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION 8 #69 OTR FACTORY OF THE KOILBINAT MARIANA BUCECA. Believed to be another 'factory of the Kombinat.; Two-story building; about , 100 -a-lOng-20-in- irido; red rick; low-pitched; ,gable-type roof; adrift:trod. Trit.al tar paper. #90 WOOLEN- NILL?i About 100 2p0 a ic 2 x 1 a. Brick, covered uithgrey platisterj reddief; aheet metal gable-type roof. About 300 people worked here. #93. RATIRCULD BRIDOL, Sinle, steel span on the Line te Katowice. About O m long; 5 m wide and 6 m high. #92 VIADUCT 0M-THE RAIIROAD LINE TO CIEStYN. - Reinforced.- concrete, ialit 20 ti long-112- a wide nd 8' al. high; There wa a Simple kurd farr-on-both eidee 6f the viaduct. All heaVY traffic from Bielsko to Eatowice had to pass over this viaduct. , #93 RAILROAD BRIDGE 07ER-RIVER-ON'I.INE TO KRAKOW. -A 14nple, wooden bridge. Being reconstructed of heavy steel girders. , #914 CONCRittE" BRIDGE. A- new ? ttre-built to -replace the one destroyed bythe GermanaiT on 1' May 51. About 20 a long; "12 sfivide and-5 nfaboie the water. A single Open. Intsbrtant behaulii-bf iti-proilmity to various factories and to the in railroad Station.. #95 COlnisrE BRDIGE;.: New bridge coupleted in the antutei of 1949., About 20 a' longs 12 at wide and 5 a atove the rater. 50X1 50X1 r 'Map call numbers 7513641 To borrow call ? SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/04/03 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000100110005-2