CABLE FROM HEIDELBERG, DATED 9 JANUARY 1947, EVALUATED C-3 EXCEPT AS INDICATED

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00415R000200040009-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 5, 2002
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: January 13, 1947
• Content Type: NOTES

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Approved For Release 2002/08/14: CIA-RDP83-00415R000 -
WAR DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF WA
STRATEGIC SERVICES UNIT
25th &. E STREETS, N.W.
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
13 January 1947
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ILLEGIB
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"Since 12 December 1946, Soviet troops have been reported crossing the
Saxony border into Czechoslovakia. The troops, dressed in civilian
clothes, crossed on foot in groups up to thirty men. Others travelled
by car, truck, and wagon. Troop equipment was shipped by rail. The
majority crossed the border via Zinnwald (F25),and Schirgiswalde (F69)
or via Weipert and JOhstadt (both K72).
"In an attempt to check numerous reports of the above type, informant
went to Schellerhau (F15) on 17 December 1946. All streets were jammed
with vehicles. Traffic consisted almost entirely of Russians moving to-
ward Czechoslovakia and Germans attempting to escape from the border
region into the interior of Saxony. A generous estimate by informant
states that approximately 10,000 Russian troops are proceeding daily
from this area to Czechoslovakia, where they are billeted privately or
in barracks. Rumors of demobilization and subsequent walking to Russia..
due to the lack of transport are discounted by informant, who observed
weapons and equipment around the barracks containing Russian units.
Some troops wear Czechoslovakian uniforms. The 22nd Rifle Division is
now in KomotauMost Oirtix) area (F-02-F-13) with its personnel in civi-
lian clothes. -
"Germans crossing into Czechoslovakia have been detained despite the
possession of border permits. Informant cites the disappearance of
forty persons between 10 - 17 December 1946. The only escapee reported
that the women were sent to work assignments and the men to concentration
camps in the interior of Czechoslovakia. Informant reports incidents of
this kind from other areas on the border.
"On 17 December 1946, another informant visited in private
quarters at Dresden-Hellerau ostensibly to obtain an interzonal pass. He
was accompanied by the Colonel's German SMA assistant. The following
statements were made in the course of the interview.
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"An interzonal pass is unnecessary. He suggested illegal crossing, as
many stretches are unguarded.
"The evacuation of troops from the Russian Zone is designed to confuse.
He compared it to the East Front, when the Russians retreated only to
advance again.
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r
"The Soviet Army was reorganized and this project was completed 26
November 1946.
"The S':;alan Guar?:s an w.cupy the Russian Zone. These are Stalin
pupil units patterned after the German S.S. and composed of elite troops
between 19-25 years of age, unmarried, professional soldiers.
"The Karlshorst SMA was scheduled to transfer to the Dresden-Neustadt area
in December. The alleged shift to Weiwar was only a rumor.
"Saxony is to be a fixed part of the U.S.S.R., that is,a spearhead of the
'Russian Union Zonel.
25X1 I Comment: The original for paragraph above is ......Sachsen zu
einem festen Destandteil der UDSSR auszubauen and werde in der Lage sein,
den Kopf der Russichen Unions Zone zu bilden."
25X11 Comment:I For further references to troops in civilian clothes,
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Approved For Release 2002/08/14: CIA-RDP83-O04151,O0O200040009-5