STENDAL-BORSTEL AIRFIELD

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A006400650003-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 27, 2008
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: March 16, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/08/27: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400650003-0
CLASSfFI
COUNTRY . East Germany
TOPIC._
Stendal-Borstel Airfield
EVALUATION
PLACE OBTAINED,
DATE OF CONTENT
DATE OBTAINED_..
RERENCES
PAGES 3 ENCLOSURES (NO. & TYPE)
REMARKS
EPARED 16 March 1955
1. The following air activity snd aircraft were observed at Stendal-Borstel 25X1
airfield between 3 January and 16 February 1955;
During the period from 3 to 26 January, air activity was only observed on
the following days at Stendal-Borstel airfield:
12 January. Between 0915 and 1545, individual flights were made by I1-10s
which individually took off from east to west and made 1 to 3 local flights.
Up to 3 aircraft were simultaneously aloft. There was a light wind 25X1
from the west and light haze.
15 January. Between 0930 and 1600, there was intensive air activity by
individual aircraft. The weather was the same as on 12 January. At 1330,
a biplane took off and headed southeast. The aircraft involved in air
activity on this day were painted either drak gray or beige. There was
no particular order in which the aircraft of the different colors
practiced flying.
21 January, At about 1200, individual take-offs were made by 3 Il-lOs
which assembled and headed toward the southeast.
25 January. At about 1000, no aircraft were observed at the field.
It was believed, however, that the aircraft were parked in the hangars.
The repeated running up of an aircraft engine was heard emanating from
the direction of the hangars. A tractor towing 2 large trailers with
van-like superstructures moved on the field in line with the new camp
toward the hangars. The superstructures of the trailers had a white
and dark gray chequered coat of paiik. No air activity or vehicular
traffic was observed.
Between 2 and 13 February, air activity was observed only on the
following days:
2 February. At 0915, a biplane took off heading east.
3 iebxuarv. Between 2100 and !11100= there was intensive air activity
by individual single-engine aircraft with net position lights. During
ILLEGIB
night flying activity, ~t~ tu.~~j~+-r'
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4 February. There was intensive air activity by individual aircraft
between 0900 and 1430.
7 Februaryl Between 1500 and 1660, intensive individual flights
were made. Some aircraft also flew in formation. Between 1700 and
2200, night flying was practiced by single-engine aircraft, while
a rotary searchlight was in operation.
10 February. At about 1000, 8 Il-lOs wer4arked from the field
center in line with the new camp to the hangars. At the same time,
3 aircraft were aloft and made individual flights up to 1500.
11 February. Between 1030 and 1600, there was intensive air activity
by individual aircraft. At about noon, 2 biplanes took off and
departed from the field.
2. Six to 8 soldiers practiced with 37-mm.AA guns in the AA gun
emplacement north of the new gamp. Four artillery pieces were
observed in the emplacements.
3. On 25 January, no aircraft were observed at Stendal-Borstel
airfield nor was any air activity seen.
4. On 25 January, about 20 officers wearing black-bordered blue and
red-bordered black epaulets rode the regular bus from Stendal to
Borstel and thee: walked from the bus stop to t airfield. The
ranking officer was a major. Truck and sedan
both with drivers wearing red-bordered black epaulets, proceeded from
the direction of Stendal toward the airfield.l
5. Sit soldiers were engaged in aiming practiced with a 37-mn AA gun
without gun shield or wheels just north of the new camp, close to
the highway leading to Borstel. An alarm device consisting of a
mast with iron rods about 50 cm long and a clapper was seen in the
northwestern corner outside of the new camp. A sentry with field
glasses was posted near the alarm device.
6. Four 37-gun AA guns were seen in a field emplacement just northeast
of the new camp. In the middle of the emplacement was a truck
mounting a model AA 4 11KK 3 set. A F&Eshnet-type radar set was seen
at some distance. An alert practice was held in the AA gun
emplacement. The A ert signal had been sounded by an alert device
in the emplacement which was similar to the one described above.
The crews of the 4 AA guns rushed to their guns and began with
aiming practices. Two true*s, presumably radio trucks, were parked
in the new camp. The light in one truck was lit.
Approved For Release 2008/08/27: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400650003-0
 Approved For Release 2008/08/27: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400650003-0
7'. At about 1430 on 1 February, about 8 Soviets were engaged in
establishing a practice range for the A.A. personnel presumably
a range for pistol firing; the range was 80 to l0Q meters long
and about 30 meters wide and was located along the northern
side of the new camp. About 10 new 3-axle trucks of Soviet
type and aft of the trucks 3 to 4 gun barrels were observed
in an open wooden shed. On 2 February, about 350 men were
quartered in the new camp. Soviets wearing red-bordered black
epaulets with and without artillery insignia were seen. Four
quartering buildings, formerly wooden barracks, were re-2
constructed as brick barre s, each 40 to 50 x 8 meters.
8. Between 1100 and 1300 on 6 February, 3 Il-lOs three times
approached a ground target which was apparently located on the
training field of the milita*y post south of Hindenburg Kaserne.
The aircraft simultaneauslk fired their aircraft weapons on the
target from an altitude of about 100 meters. They returned to
the field after circling over the town.1
LComment. Stendal-Borstel airfield is occupied by a ground attack
regiment equipped with about 30 Il-10s. ?Elements of the regiment
presumably participated in an army exercise in the Wittstock-
Schweinrich-Perleberg area between 20 and 28 January 1955. According
to reports from Wittstock, airfield
9 Il-lOs were observed there.
25X1
25X1
Comment. In addition to the Fishnet-type set, 1 Knferest-type
set was at Stendal-Borstel airfield. The model AA 4 MK 3 set is
reported for the first time.
Approved For Release 2008/08/27: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400650003-0