MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION ON SIGNAL RESERVE TRAINING IN POLAND

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00246A039200260001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 30, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 23, 1957
• Content Type: REPORT

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws; Title
.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited,; by law.
COUNTRY #Pland REPORT
SUBJECT Miscellaneous Information on Signal DATE DISTR.
Reserve Training in Poland
DATE OF
INFO. ,
PLACE &
DATE ACQ.
report containing miscellaneous
information, on signal reserve training in Poland.
ARMY review completed.
STATE I#X ARMY NAVY
C-0=N-F-I-D-E=
X AIR FBI I IAEC
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CO JFI DL T I A L
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION ON SIGNAL RESERVE TRAINING IN POLAND)
Listed below are locations mentioned throughout this report; included are
the. geographical and where available,, UTM coordinates,
BIALOBRZEGI
(N52?Q7,
E21=04)
CZERSKI
(N53-48,9
E17-59)
J AWORZE
(N5?20,
E15=41)
LODZ
(N51=458
E19=28)
(UTM CC 9437)
WALCZ
(N53=168 E16m28) (UTM WV 9804)
ZEGRZE
(N52=28, E21-02) (UTM ED 0112)
1, General Information
Training of Signal Reserve personnel in Poland was mandatory and was
given yearly for a period of three months to.both.office.rs and enlisted men.
This was true of all branches of the service and the only exceptions were-
personnel in certain occupations who received exemption.
Personnel in Signal Reserve as well as in the other branches of service remained
Yn reserve status until the age of 506
training was conducted in different locations) In'1953
it was conducted at ZEGRZE; in 1954 at JAWORZE and in 1956 at BIAIABFtZEGI',
The responsibilities and duties of Reserve Signal officers,in the rank
of junior lieutenant or lieutenant was usually as a platoon leader, who was
considered to be a specialist in radio, wire or telegraphy,
COWFIDEAJTIAL
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2. Communication School at ZEGRZE
a, Courses Taught
The facilities at the communications school at ZEGRZE were used for the
instruction of various categories of personnel. Personnel attending this school
were officers from the regular army, the officers reserve corps, signal OCS
cadets and two year enlisted conscripts,
(1). Regular army signal officers were sent to ZEGRZE to attend a re-
fresher course in communications. The method used in-the-selection of these of-
ficers for attendance at ZEGRZE was unknown
was given each summer, length of course unk
Attendance at the-officers
was often used as a basis for promotion,
refresher training
(2). The officers reserve training course was given each summer for those
personnel of the officers signal reserve corps who had either been discharged
from the regular army or had received commissions through the ROTC; ro ram,
Qualified personnel were ordered to this school by their local WKR
(3), The signal OCS was operated for those p tt
dance from the regular army or from resew units,
The OCS course was of two years duration,
(4), The signal school course for two year conscripts was for one year;
the second-year was spent in a regular any unit,
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b, Operation of the School
the school operated the entire year,
during July and August an unknown number of the cadre would rema n at the
school for further instructing. All the cadet students and the major portion of
the cadre would join personnel from the General Staff Academy as its signal unit
and attend a month long summer maneuvers,
some of the cadet students and part of the'cadre were given leave
during August. A new class began the first of September,
'there was another group of reserve personnel scheduled to arrive in ZE RZE
after the departure,of his group,
the train in eriods of three months was identical-
for each group of reserve personnel,_based on' the fact
that a signal reserve officer never returned to ZEGRZE,
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CO FI DENT I AL .
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b,. School Medical Facilities and Examinations
not required to take a physical examination, but all
personnel were required to take two typhoid shots at the school clinic before
they began this training.
The clinic was located in an unidentified building on the'school grounds.
It was staffed by two doctors and six male nurses, ranks unknown. The clinic
consisted of two rooms with about six beds each an examination room, an office
for the doctors and a bath roomo only mild cases of
sickness were treated here the more serious cases being sent to the MON Hospi-
tal in WARSAW, no other medical facilities
c, Housing, Clothing Pay and Mess Facilities
The 50 reserve officers were assigned to the lst School Battalion, one
of two battalions at the school, they formed a reserve officer student company
which was commanded by a reserve officer
The company was divided into two platoons, each with a platoon leader,also a
reserve officer,, who was in charge of marching the plat'bon to all school activ-
ities, mess, and any other occasion for which a formation might have been re-
quired,
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The reserve officers were required to perform all sorts of menial tasks
around the barracks, such as policing the area ,,making their own beds and chang-
ing their own linens. One civilian woman came into the barracks, after the
officers had left for their day1s activities, to clean the floors, windows'
stairwells, etc.
The student.supply room was located on the first floor of the barracks.
One enlisted man was assigned to the supply room; he performed the duties of
Supply Sergeant, First Sergeant and Company Clerk, He received the reservi:
civilian clothing and issued them military clothing in exchange. Each reservist
was issued the following items of military equipment and clothing:
1 Summer uniform (khaki)
1 Field cap
1 Pair leather knee-length boots
1 Set underwear
2 Leather belts
1 Towel
2 Handkerchiefs.
2 Blankets
2 Sheets
1 Pillow case
1 Rucksack
1 Spoon
1 Canteen with wool cover
1 Meat canister
1 Gas mask
1 Pair gym shorts
No weapons were issued; however, prior to range firing students were issued
arms from a central weapons pool,.,they were returned after range firing,
company was required to eat in the. same mess hall with the en-
listed men because the regular army officers at the school refused to eat with
the reservists or to mingle with them socially,
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 d. Daily Schedule
every hour;
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COV D JTI AL.
All reserve officers who held the rank of warrant officer (chorarzy),
were paid 600 zlotys per monthhin advance.,, From this,_.600 zlotys they were re-
quired to pay 450 zlotys per month for sistance.
the following was atypical duty day for reservists, and
it was approximately the same for the OCS cadets and the regular army
officers taking training at the installation:
0500 Reveille
0505 e 0525 Physical training
0530 m 0555 Personal toilet
0600 m 0615 Inspection
0615 m 0630 Political information
0634.-'= 0655 Breakfast
0700' 0710 School formation
0715 m 1445 Training
1500 m 1530
.1530 - 1600
1600 - 1730
1730 - 1915
1930 2000
2000 m 2130,
2130 - 2145
Lunch
Free time
Study period
Commanders time
Supper
Free time
ipp$, of the day
Training periods were of 50 minutes duration with a 10 minute break
She Saturday training schedule was from 0500 to 1200 hours; the after-
noons and evenings were free time. Sunday reveille was at 0600 hours, the en-
tire day was free time,
e, Recreational Facilities and Leave and Pass Policy
Recreational facilities-at the school.were limited.to an occasional
movie in the school auditorium, and about once a.month a stage was brought
in from WARSAW. Stage shows usually consisted of a short play, baflet or
t
operetta. Students were allowed to use the school library which was limited
in its selection of books. Each barracks had a reading room which was usually
supplied with local newspapers. Students used the reading room asa writing
Passes were very limited and could only be obtained two or three times
during the three month period, At no time could more than a certain number of
students be away from the post on pass. Leaves were not granted unless of an
emergency nature and then only after an investigation had been made of the
circumstances surrounding the request,
f. Instructors
All instruction given.at ZEGRZE was conducted by regular army officers
who were specialists in their particular fields
given was excellent and the instructors were *eU quall ie
g, Classrooms
Classrooms could accomodate about 25 students, Reservists always re-
ceived instruction separately from the OCS cadets and the regular army officers
although each group received essentially the same in-
struction,
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h. Training
(1). Non=Technical
the reservists received general
training in politics, azy. regu a eons, close order drill, map study, tactical
infan+.7.7 Atrunture and the TOE of various units,
sego +_n . tian +.n +.hp firing range two or three; times dur-
ing the three month period for familiarization and firing $f small arms.
(2). Technical
All technical communications training 'received by the reservists
was based on infantry tactics. no information on communications. in
either armored or artillery units. Infantry units from company to regiment were
studied with emphasis on communications at regimental level.
(a), Equipment
Radio communications equipment used at the school consisted
#t he A-7=A, RBM=1, and the RSBF transmitter/receiver. Phone equipment cone
si'sted of the AP-4$ Polish phone which was the same as the Soviet
TAI-43,-and LP-10 and LP=30 switchboards which were similar to the
Soviet k1=10 and PK-30. Telegraph equipment consisted of the Soviet ST-35'tele?
graph set and numerous Soviet "Bodo" sets.
in the techniques of voice communications, keeping of log books, operating in
Instruction on technical equipment consisted of an undeter-
mined number of hours of classroom instruction followed by field exercises
Classroom instruction consisted of lectures on the capability of the sets', their
uses in infantry communications nets, and considerable practice in tuning and
operating them under supervision. Field instruction consisted of taking the
various sets into the field,. setting them up Stablishing communications-with
other similar sets. They were taught that the Am7?A was used between the infan-
try company and its battalion, the RBM 1 was used from battalion to regiment
and to division,.The RSBF was used at division
level. no information concerning the numerical distribution of any item
of signal equipment.
(b). Radio Code and Voice Instruction
Reservists received an average of eight hours per week in-
struction in International Morse code and an unknown number of hours instruction
dio net, use of 'IQ" signals, and radio security practices. There were no
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(3). Signal Tactics
Signal Tactics instruction consisted of the following courses:
Duties of signal personnel
The mission of signal units
Keeping schedules
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Communications networks diagrams
Types of communications networks
The use of radio versus wire
The preparation of and use of map coordinate codesa
no information on the number of hours. spent . on each of these' sub- .
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jects. Instruction in signal tactics stressed the full and complete understanding
of. equipment, with emphasis placed on the capability of each item-of equipment.
Signal communications provided for the commander were radio, wire,, rockets
and mounted and foot messengers,
no information on. the use of signal
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flags, heliograph, panels or pigeons,
communications lines were laid from the right to the left at every level
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command.
). Use of Communications in Attack
During the planning phases of an attack wire was used as the primary
means. of communications and only after the attack began would communications be
switched to radio; Prior to this the regimental commander had briefed the
battalion and company commanders concerning the types of communications to:be"
used, Regiment was responsible for communications to include battalion level...
Battalion was responsible for company communications. There was one platoon of
signal personnel at regiment and one at battalion level. Each platoon consisted
of one squad of about 10 radio personnel and three squads of. wire personnel,, of
about eight per squad,
(b). Use of Wire Communications in Defense
In defensive position wire was used exclusive) ,
information
on wire networks and methods,used was very limited.
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methods were used when in defense,, and there wer switchboards at re ental
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and battalion level with lines extending ? from them to
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the various commanders su sections, observers message cen eFs, etc.
(4). Signal Operations Instruction
Signal Operations Instructions (SOI) were prepared at division level,
signed by the Chief of Communications,and authenticated by an unidentified of-
ficer, The SOI was disseminated down to Icompany level but each unit received
only that portion of the SOI that pertained to it,
(5). Signal Repair and Spare Equipment
All signal equipment was sealed and no unauthorized person was allowed
to break the seal?to effect repairs, no matter how minor they may have been. The
lowest echelon of repair was at Corps level. no further informa
tion on the type of unit that would accomplish this, or if this held true for
both peace and war time.
Spare items of signal equipment were maintained at both battalion and
regimental level,
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(6). Physical Security and Interference Procedures
Reservists were taught to camouflage equipment with any available material.
They received no instruction on any special methods of camouflage.
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No special instruction was given on what to do in the event of jamming,
except to shift frequency.
i, Text Books
instructors came to classrooms with prepared notes and
without books of any kind. Students were required-'to take notes, no books were
issued to them at any time, there may have been reference books in
the school library
In any event students were not allowed to remove any book ,-om. e
library,
J. Soviet Advisors at the School
Although it was never openly stated that the communications tactics
'
taught at the school were of Soviet origins it was common knowledge
that, this was the case. There were no Soviet advisors present
k. Release after Completion of Training at ZEGRZE
The period of active duty training for reservists ended the latter part
of June 15'53'.- All of the students
At this time all.military
____]graauati ea
clothing and equipment was returned to the supply room and exchanged for the
civilian clothing which had been turned in three months earlier. Identity books
were returned with a notation that the holder had-completed his first three
month period of compulsory training. They were also. issued travel orders and a
letter to their respective employers stating that the bearer had been in reserve
training for three months;-This letter entitled each reservist to one month
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4, Reserve Signal Training During 1954
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c. Mission and Composition of the 1st Army Corps Signal Battalion
the 1st Army Corps Signal Battalion had a dual re-
sponsibilL y., a o providing normal and that of
-hrPtInInir ;L11 types of si al Personnel.
during
the time at the Jaworze training area the battalion cons_s e o five companie's';, they were.- The Wire Operations Company which had the responsibility
of operating all wire communications systems for the 1st Army Corps Headquarters
in the field and in and around the training area; The Operational Radio Company
which operated all radio. communications in the field.. and in and around the
training area; The Officers Reserve Training Company with responsibility of
training officer reservists; The Training Company which trained two year con-
scripts. These personnel trained one year with the Training Company., then they
were assilgied to a regular army unit for one additional year; The ROTC Company
which had the responsibility of training ROTC students during their 30 day-
summer practical training period. The ROTC Company was operational only two
months of each year., training two groups of ROTC personnel for 30 days each.
no information concerning the exact number of personnel
assigned 'to these companies;
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5. Officers Reserve Training in 1956
ttached to an unidentified
signal battalion of the Warsaw Military s c ., an present at BIALOBRZEGI
for three months. While here ssigned as Platoon Leader of a
platoon in an officer reserve company.
instructions rece ve wr-
ing this period involved various kinds of-radio sets., telephone equipment.,
laying of field wire, pole line construction., telephone centrals., teletype op-
erations, cable construction and various other subjects.
The training period was for 12 weeks on paper) only
seven weeks were occupied with actual training or instruction the remainder
being used for gene ral.barracks and camp',, cleanup activities.
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Comments:.
2. WKR (Wojskowa Komenda Rejonowa) Army,Regional Headquarters,
3. ~ould not explain why a Corps Signal Battalion had the dual respon-
sibility of maintaining corps signal communications and that of training sig-
nal personnel,
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C~IDE.NT IAL
Pinpoint Location of JAWORZE Training
40
Map Ref:: LASES, Germany
Scale 101009000
70-
30
.Bivouac Area in JAWORZE
e,?NPI ?ENTI AI.
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