RADAR INSTALLATION AT GROSSBERNDTEN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A004100820001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 1, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 25, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/01: CIA-RDP80-0081OA004100820001-5
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
SECRET/CONTROL-U.S.OFFICIALS ONLY
COUNTRY East Germany
SUBJECT Radar Installation at
Grossberndten
PLACE ACQUIRED
This is UNEVALUATED Information
REPORT
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES 4
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
:l. Location.
25X1
25n i
The radar installation, consisting of two sets, was located about 300 to 400 meters
southwest of Grossberndten. The site, including six barracks and one vehicle shed,
was observed from the southern outskirts of Grossberndten.
2Q Description of First Sgt (See "A" on both sketches).
The set which had the appearance of a windmill had been in position since the
early summer of 1953. It consisted of four equally spaced "sails" mounted in a
vertical position on a lattice-work mast. The "sails" appeared to be of sheet
metal construction, approximately three to four meters in length and one meter
in width at the outer extremity. They were supported above the ground by a metal
lattice work mast approximately ten meters in height. No wires or cables were
visibly connected to the set.
3. Description of Second Set (See "B" on both sketches),
What appeared to be a square wire frame was supported above the ground by a lattice-
work mast approximately eight meters in height. The frame was mounted in an upright
position1resting with one corner on top of the mast. A cross-bar support was fixed
in a vertical position to the top of the mast, connecting what appeared to be four
or six single strands of wire arranged in individual squares. The approximate
length of one side of the outer square was two meters. No wires or cables were
visibly connected to the set.
4, Operation,
.the two sets faced due north
remai
d
t
t
,
ne
s
a
ionary and 25X1.
did not rotate or tilt up or down. Residents of Grossberndten have complained that
on most evenings interference on their radio sets was so strong that no programs
could be received.
SECRET/CONTROI5-U.S.OFFICIALS ONLY
ARMY x INAVY I x AIR Zit, v FBI I JAEC
(Note: Washington Distribution Indicated by "X"; Field Distribution By
25 May 1954
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/01 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004100820001-5
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5. Description of Site
The installation was situated in a field. The site, comprising the two radar sets,
six wooden barracks and one vehicle shed, was bounded on two sides facing towards
Grossberndten by a wooden board fence approximately 1.80 meters in height. The
area was understood to embrace about 160 acres, including the local sportsground.
Four watch-towers, approximately four meters in height and fitted with enclosed
wooden cabins and searchlights, were situated at the corners of the compound.
A small guardhouse, flying the red flag, was located near the entrance at the
northernmost corner of the site, approximately 300 meters from the village.
6. Activities
a. Two two-man Soviet patrols, wearing padded winter clothing and armed with
machine carbines, were observed patrolling the outer perimeter of the site.
One enlisted man, wearing field service uniform with black shoulderboards
and signal insignia, was seen to leave the guardhouse and walk into the village.
b. During the hours of darkness the outer perimeter of the site was said to be
lit up "as bright as daylight" by searchlights from the watch-towers. Road
transport was understood to arrive at the site on most nights of the week.
At night patrols were usually accompanied by dogs, four of which were held
by the unit.
c. All Soviet troops stationed at the site (strength not established) were billeted
in the camp, and only occasionally visited public places of entertainment in
the village.
d. Two three-ailed trucks were observed parked in the vehicle shed. The shed was
enclosed on three sides, with the open side facing towards Grossberndten. No
other military equipment was observed in the vicinity.
e. No wiring or cables were noticed at the site.
7. Communications
A single-pair overhead telephone line was observed to enter the site from a nor-
therly direction and to lead to one of the barracks. The first pole of this
line stood near the II'esooerode-Nordhausen-Grroeswerthoxr crossroads.. , The line
continued across open country towards Grosswerther, Wolkramshausen and'Heynrode.
At the outskirts of Haynrode the line veered due south and followed an almost
straight course across oven. country to the radar installation. It could not'be
established whether thr line continued from the installation in a southerly
direction towards Toba.
SECRET/CONTROL-U. S.0FFICIAT,,S ONLY
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/01 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004100820001-5
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/01 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004100820001-5
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- 3 -.
Sketch No., 1
Legend
1, Watch-towers
2, Guardhouse
3, Vehicle shed
4, flarracks
5. Approximate route of telephone line
6. Crossroads in village
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-4-
Sketch No. 2
SECRET/CONTROL-U.S.OFFICIALS ONLY
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/01 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004100820001-5