WEEKLY OB SUMMARY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A006500670005-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 21, 2008
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: April 12, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/03/21 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006500670005-5
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
S--E-C-R-E-T
COUNTRY East Germany
Weekly OB-Summary
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
The following is a summary of information on Soviet and East erman military
activities observed prior to 11 April 1955:
1. Geer :
a. Winter exercises by Soviet divisions were completed by early Anri].t However,
target practices and some short exercises for combined ui.its continued.
More T-54's arrived. An apparent command post exercise, with units from
all mechanized armies participating, started in the Lieberose area in
early April.
be KVP nersonne1 were transferred from the Mechanized Division Potsdam, allegedly
for the establishment of new units. There is continued recruiting in order
to replace personnel to be released.
2. Second Guards Mechanized Army:
An exercise, probably held by units of the 9th Guards Tank Division, took place
from 18 to 25 March, possibly in the area north of Mirow.
3. Third Guards Mechanized Axmv:
Units believed to have been subordinate to the 7th wards Tank Division took part
in an exercise in the s3uthwestern part of Letzling Heath from 17 to 22 March and
on 24 March.
4. Fourth Guards Mechanized Army:
On 30 March, 18 T-54's intended for the 10th Guards Tank Division were unloaded at
Satzkorn. On 1 April, an element of tanks was sent for exercises from Satzkorn
to Hillersleben.
Thla' material contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States within the mean-
ing of the lapionage Laws, Title 18, U.B.C. Secs. 793
and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in
any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law.
REPORT
DATE DISTR. 12 April 1955
NO. OF PAGES 2
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
(NOTE: Washington distribution indicot.d by "X"; Field distribution by "#".)
Approved For Release 2008/03/21 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006500670005-5
 Approved For Release 2008/03/21 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006500670005-5
S-E-C-R-E--T
5. Third Shock Arn,
:
From 27 to 30 March, strong elements of the 19th Guards I'Mechanized Division
from Magdeburg hac firing practices at Letzling Heath. On 1 April, the rail-
road district office at ~Iittenberge was charged with traffic planning in this
area for the prospective occupation of t_a summer camps.
6. Fourth Artillery Corns:
On 1 April, 23 heavy prime movers were shipped from Brest-Litovsk to Brandenburg.
The 124th He---r Howitzer Brigade has now received a total of about 65 prime movers
with T-34 chassis.
7. GSFG Troops:
From 25 March to 2 April, 22 shipments took units of various armies to the area
of the Lieberose troop training grounds. The shipments included one or two from
the First, Second and Fourth Mechanized Armies; another 14 shipments came
from the Third Guards Mechanized Army and possibly from GSFG headquarters, and
four more from Altengrabow, The units were possibly about to participate in
a signal command post eiercise.
8. Kp:
a. The Rifle Regiment Rostock held combat practices in the Hagenow area from
14 to 16 March. The 2nd Mechanized Regiment Potsdam had returned from Itlietz
on 24 March. The Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment Potsdam reportedly was
to return from Altengrabow on 7 April. During the second half of March,
elements stationed in Oranienburg held a large number of night exercises
in the Lehnitz area. Between 19 and 22 March, three shipments left Prora,
probably for the Ragenow-Pritzier area.
b. In late March, about 250 officers and enlisted men were transferred from
Potsdam units, allegedly in order to join new units which are yet to be
established. The arrival of 800 recruits in Potsdam is expected in the
near future. After 7 April, some 8VP personnel were to be granted Easter
furloughs.
9. Miscellaneous:
Since early in April, a continuous recruiting campaign h-s been waged by such
organizations as the Athletic and Technical Association (GST) and the Free
German Youth (FDJ), The campaign is allegedly designed tj fill vacancies, and
not to establish an East German national army.
Approved For Release 2008/03/21 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006500670005-5