PHOTOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF PETROPAVLOVSK AND ITS ENVIRONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05439A000300170007-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 27, 2000
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: August 6, 1956
• Content Type: IM

Approved For Release 2001/08/20 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300170007-7
Approved For Release 2001/08/20 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300170007-7
 PROTOG',APTIIC ANALYSIS OF PE..TROPAVLOVSK
,PHOTOGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Declassification review by NIMA/DOD
OP/I - 203,
6 August .L956
COPY No.
~ENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY .
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND REPORTS
001/081~= P78T05439A000300170007-7
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This memorandum is based on a study of oblique aerial photo-
25X1D graphy flown between
The quality of
the photography ranges from poor to good. Coverage of the area
under consideration was fairly complete, but inland cover is
limited owing to the obliquity of the photography. The area
considered for detailed study lies within a 50 mile radius of
the city of PETROPAVLOVSK (53?Ol'N - 158?39'E).
A request for a photographic analysis of the road from
IIST'BOL5HERETSK (52?45'N - 156?1li'E) to PETROPAVLOVSK could not
be complied with because of the unavailability of aerial photo-
graphy covering that area.
A general description of-the PETROPAVLOVSK area, including
the coasts to the north and south of AVACHA BAY, and a detailed
analysis of three specific areas within the given 50-mile radius
of PETROPAVLOVSK are given. Three photomosaics and a location
map are furnished as inclosures I through I.
General Description
The terrain in the vicinity of PETROPAVLOVSK is volcanic in
nature, characterized by sharp peaks and ridges and without any
orderly arrangement. PETROPAVLOVSK is situated on the north
,Shore of AVACHA BAY, which is generally circular in form and
approximately 9 to 12 miles in diameter. Two streams discharge
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into the bay on the north and west sides, draining the high
mountain ranges that surround the bay. The shore between these
streams is low and marshy and dissected by several smaller streams.
The AVACHA RIVER to the north appears to be marshy for as much
as 20 to 25 miles inland. The remaining bay shore rises into low
wooded hills with some cultivation on the slopes immediately
behind PETROPAVLOVSK. The woods consist of broadleaf trees,
which tend to become sparse near the tops of the hills but which
would probably afford adequate concealment for careful movement.
The coast south of AVACHA BAY is characterized by a series
of high bluffs and deeply indented bays. The valleys are narrow
and rise sharply into rugged terrain. Vegetation on the eroded
slopes is sparse, but the valleys appear to be swampy. Photo-
graphy taken in the winter shows the slopes as well as the
valleys to be entirely snow covered with no trees apparent.
Northward from the entrance of AVACHA HAY, the coast, except
for two bluffs near the entrance, is a continuous beach for
approximately 35 miles. This beach is backed by a belt of low
sand ridges with scattered vegetation, which is mostly brush.
Behind these ridges is a low plain that is hemmed in on three
sides by high rugged mountains. The beach is dissected by three
streams, the largest of which is the NALYCHEVA RIVER near the
northern end. The vegetation on the plain that backs the beach
ridges consists mainly of low brush; much of the area appears to
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be very marshy. The vegetation on the slopes surrounding this
area also is scattered low brush.
The area around PETROPAVLOVSK has been divided into three
parts for the purpose of a detailed study. The limits of these
areas are shown on enclosure 1.
The South Coastal Area
The North Interior Area
The north interior area is the plain northwest of PETROPAVLOVSK,
bounded by mountain ranges on all sides except the south. The AVACHA
RIVIR forms the southern boundary.
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The north coastal area extends northward from the entrance to
AVACHA BAY to the NALYCHEVA RIVER. The_ beach is approximately 35
miles long and averages 300 feet wide.
A village is located at the mouth of the NALYCHLVA R .
This village is on the coastal road, but no trails or roads
inland are visible. A building camp or site is located approx-
innately 5 miles northwest of the village. Southward along the
icoastal road there are other groups of buildings, and a small
town is located 5,5 miles east of PETROPAVL(NSK.
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