EAST GERMAN AIR FORCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A006700620002-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 31
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2008
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: May 16, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

CLASSIFICATION
S-E-C-&?ErT NGFORN
CENTRAL INTELLGENM AGENCY
1 14 FORMA-TWIN
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REPORT
CD NO.
COUNTRY East Germany
SUBJECT
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF
INFO.
DATE DISTR. 16 May 1955
NO. OF PAGES 31
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES, WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE If. SECTIONS 793
AND 791. OF THE U. S. CODS, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR REYEL?
ATION OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT BY AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON
Table of Contents
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
A. Development
B. Organization and Units of the VdA, Status of December 1954
C. Training of Pilots
D. Technical Training
Recruiting
F. Weapons and Equipment
G. Supply System
H. Clothing, Service Colors, qnd Rank Insignia
I. Construction Matters
K. Conclusion
Table of Annexes
Annex 1 Chart indicating the distribution of VdA Units }?Ipas
Annex 2 Organizational Setup of the Central VdA Headquarters
Annex 3 Organization of a Technical Base
Annex 4 Organization of as Amu**&" ..Y'L Division)
10,
Annex 5 Organizatiaarll 3s1a>P of NA school 500
Annex 6 Leading VdA Personnel
5 pa8?a
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NAVY X INSRB
DISTRIBUTION
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Introduction
The purpose of this study is to present a comprehensive picture of
the development of the VPL from the year 1950 to late 1954. Units of
the VPL operate under the designation of "Verwaltung des Aeroclubs"
(Administration of the Aeroclub) (VdA), a term which most probably was
designed to conceal the actual military nature of these units and give
them the appearance of an organization engaged in sport flying.
At present, the VPL units are not yet trained for combat missions.
The training of about one half of the approximately 450 pilots available
has, however, progressed to such a point that at least one VPL division
could be employed within one year providing that retraining with jet
aircraft be given priority and the combat fighter aircraft necessary
be supplied speedily.
The VPL is completely dependent an the Soviets for its supply with
modern fighter aircraft. As to when the Soviets will be willing to
supply such fighter aircraft probably depends on the Soviet assessment
of the political reliability of the GDR and of the VPL in particular.
The observations which have been made since November 1954 indicate that
the retraining of VPL pilots with jet aircraft has already begun at
Jocksdorf airfield near Forst.
The organizational setup of VPL headquarters which still on the surface
have the character of schools but in actuality have the composition of
combat units closely follows the Soviet pattern. It is, therefore,
believed that the integration of the three existing VPL divisions
(Aeroclubs) with Soviet Air Force units both in the field of tactical
employment and logistics, will present no particular difficulties. In
the event of a withdrawal by the Soviet occupation forces from the GDR
it must be expected that the VPL will be assigned additional missions
within the framework of the Eastern military system. In the field of air
defense, these missions will include the organization of a comprehensive
East German air warning system (radar control), thereby maintaining for
the USSR the protective belt necessary along her Western borders to give
advance warning of approaching enemy aircraft and time to organize her
first line of air defense. In the field of offensive action, additional
VPL missions will probably include the maintenance of ground facilities
in the GDR which would be used by Eastern attack units as forward or advance
operation bases. The execution of such missions, however, would require
a considerable increase over the present VPL strength.
A. Development
In early 1950, all East German citizens who had been'trained in the
art of powered flight were registered. VP officers who were to be
designated for top-level assignments in ,the future VP Air Force had
received some training in the USSR between the summer of 1949 and
the fall of 1950. In December 1950, Heinz Kessler, First Secretary
of the FDJ in Berlin, was transferred to the Main Administration for
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Training of the VP with the rank of an Inspector General. He was
given the task of initiating the establishment of the VP Air Force.
His office was given the deeks"tion "Iauptabtsilumg s.b.V. in der
HVA" (Main Department for Speo.sl Missions within the Maia Administration
for Training).
In the sprig$ of 1951, ICessloxie department moved to the former
administration building at.$eri Sabauniithal ais!'deld. It the same
time, Chief Inspector Zorxt a general staff Eftioer of the
former German Luftwaffe, -was tad as Chief of staff to Inspector
General Kessler. In the suaor of l952, the WA Drpsrtmsnt for
Special Missions was rsd?sJ mend "Bs*iptver?alt nip Luft" (Main
Administration for Aviattan) '( 4.
In July 1952s &Wut 193W N eU48 t far! the VPL sm asassblst at
Ze i train and .format Sato the i'lsst VPL diviaton. Sri 4:gast 1452, the
personnel moved to '1'L posts at Cottbus, Bautsen, and Zamenz. In the
fall of 1952, the struot"-f the VPL was as follows
Command 8eedquarte L, at Berliu?Jol,tnnisthal;
Headquarters of -VPL sign 600, at Cottbus;
VPL Rsgt 601, at 00tbus;
YPL Refit - 6O2, - -at Kamenz;
VPL Regt 605, at BautZen.
Each regiment was organized into three wings (squadreus) which included
both flying and technical personnel. Following the-,Soviet pattern, each
regiment was logistiaslly supporters by an airfield supply battalion.
Flight and technical training was given to VPL Division 600 by the
Soviet fighter regiasat at Pa shim which, in late July 1952, was
detached from its fighter division at Puetnitz. The bulk of the
regiment moved to. Cottbus and elements of it to Kamenz and Bautzen.
In September 1952, about 45 yak-l8 trainers arrived. In order to
accelerate. the training of technical personnel required by the PPL,
training courses for ground personnel, radio operators, and signal
personnel, parachute riggers, navigational instructors, and
meteorologists, were organized bpr Division 600 under the control of the
Soviet instruction regiment. The students who attended these courses
had previoualy been trained in their respective fields. At the same
time, a Technical Officer and DCO School charged with the mission to
train technicians and mechanics was established at Kemenz. After
November 1952, training courses for VPL field officers were given at
the VPL school at Pirna.Sonnens-tein.
Until mid-June 1953, the training of VPL pilots was conducted intensively
and effectively. The employment of a fully trained fighter regiment of
the 24th Air Army as an instruction regiment for the APL indicated that
the Soviets were interested in quickly achieving the readiness for
employment of the first VPL division which was to serve as a cadre
for the organization of additional V1L units. Theoretical instruction
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given on jet engines and MiG-15 aircraft moreover showed that the
first fighting units of VPL were to be employed as jet fighter
units in the same manner as in the other Soviet satellites. Since
the facilities at Bautzen-Litten and Ksmenz airfields were to be
enlarged in order to meet therequirements for jet aircraft training,
main training efforts were temporarily shifted to Cottbus and Dresden-
Klotzsche airfields. The planned increase of the VPL strength was
reflected in the construotion-of Rothenburg airfield north of Goerlitz
and Jocksdorf airfield south of Forst. Construction work was executed
by Bau-Union Sued. Prior to Apfbil 1953, VPL Division Cottbus had
received 40 Yak-lls from the USSR, a type which is an intermediate
plane between the initial trainer and a combat aircraft.
Moreover, during the month of April 1953, a total of 80 to 100 MiG-15s
were sent in several rail shipments from the USSR to Cottbus where they
were turned over to the VPL. The first flights with-Via twoseater
version of this type aircraft were observed at Cottbus airfield in
mid-May 1953. This was the initiation of the third training phase for
the first group of VPL pilots.
In April 1953, the airfield supply battalions were subordinated to
the newly organized headquarters of the VPL Technical Supply Division
which had its headquarters at Augustusbad near Radeberg. In June 1953,
the VPL Command Headquarters moved from Berlin-Johaanisthal to Cottbus.
After the June 1953 uprisings in the GDR, the training program of the
VPL was completely stopped. All aircraft including the Yak-lls and
Yak-18s had to be returned to the Soviets. This also applied to all
radar equipment which had been mad. available for training purposes.
All records, notes, and instruction material on Xi-G-15s had to be
turned in, and all instruction on this type of aircraft was stopped.
In early July 1953, the Soviet instruction regiment was released from
its VPL training mission. In mid-July, it was assembled at Welzow
airfield and re-equipped with MiG-15s. In Ito August, it returned to
Puetnitz where it once again joined its parent division.
The actions by the Soviets after 17 June 1953 indicate that the
Soviets considered the equipping of VPL units with MiG-15s,which is
their standard fighter aircraft, premature because their trust in
the political reliability of the German pilots had probably been
shaken. This distrust may have been increased by the defection of
several Polish fighter pilots to the West. There were, however, no
indications that the personnel strength of the VPL as of June 1953
was reduced.
By late August 1953, the VPL again received 30 Yak-18s and, in late
October 1953, about 36 Yak-lls. After October 1953, heavy flying
activity by Yak-18s and Yak-lls was again observed at all VPL airfields.
For deception purposes the following redesignations went into effect
with the VPL after 1 October 1953:
MdI/VPL was redesignated Aeroclub Cottbus;
VPL Regts 601 through 603 were redesignated Departments of the
Aeroclub; and airfield supply battalions received the name of
Technical Bases of the Aeroolub.
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These redesignations in no way reflected any change-in the military
objectives of the VPL..They only disclosed that military training
of VPL units would be conducted under the guise of sport flying.
In late October 1953, 280 VPL officers, who had received 12-months
of flight training in the USSR, returned to Germany and were
distributed among the three regiments at Cottbus, Bautzen and Kamenz.
Their status of training corresponded to about the same as that of
the other VPL pilots who had been trained in the GDR. The VPL officers
who had been trained in tha-- H had not received any training in jet
aircraft.
In order to create the conditions for the planned doubling of the
VPL forces in the course of-1954, a reorganization of the VPL was
effected on 1 December 1953. The existing VPL division at Cottbus
with its component regiments at Cottbus, Drewitz, and Bautzen, was
reorganized into three separate divisions (Aeroolubs). Two regiments
(Abteilungen des Aeroclubs s departments of the Aeroclub) were then
assigned to each of the newly created divisions. With the implementation
of this new setup the goal of doubling the VPL had been obtained. This
plan also envisaged a possible reorganization of a third regiment for
each division. On 1 December 1953, the Headquarters of Division 600 in
Cottbus was deactivated and the commander of this division became
chief of Aeroclub Bautzen. At the same time,-the Headquarters of the
Technical Supply Division at Augustusbad was dissolved and merged with
the Main Department for Reaip Services of the Headquarters of the VdA.
The Aeroclubs at Cottbus, Drewitz, and Bautzen were now directly
subordinated to the VdA with its Headquarters in Cottbus. Simultaneously,
the 4th Technical Base was established at Kamenz airfield. This unit
supplied the 1st Department (regiment) of Aeroclub Bautzen which trained
with Yak-18 aircraft at Kamenz airfield.
Training with Yak-18s was done by the 1st Department of the Aeroclubs,
while training with Yak-lls was done by the 2nd Department of Aeroclubs.
As a rule, the pilots who had been trained in the USSR were assigned
to these 2nd Departments.
In late July 1954, Aeroclub Bautzen began the organization of a 3rd
Department (regiment). In November 1954, a detail of 80 members of
Aeroclub Bautzen was stationed at Jocksdorf airfield which had been
completed. It is believed that these men are a cadre unit for a new
5th Technical Base. In ]Ete December 1954, Jocksdorf airfield was
heavily occupied by Soviets and VdA personnel. At the same time, three
jet aircraft were seen at the airfield and later, from the description
furnished, identified as probable Yak-23s. This type aircraft is also
used for training purposes of other satellite airforces. If the reports
received from Jocksdorf airfield are correct, this would then indicate
that the 3rd Department (regiment) of Aeroclub Cottbus has been
organized at this airfield and that the regiment has started the
training of VdA pilots with jet aircraft.
It may be assumed that Aeroclub Drewitz has also begun the organization
of a 3rd Department. This indicates that the VPL has reached the
strength of a fighter corps which is, however, not yet ready for combat
missions. If the flight training is continued without interruption, it
is believed that the 3rd Departments (regiments) of the three Aeroclubs
will have reached the status of combat units by the end of 1955. These
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regiments, after being equipped with MiG-15s, will probably be
formed into the first VPL fighter division ready for immediate
employment..
B. Organization and Units of the VdA
In December 1954, the VPL, which is officially known as the
"Verwaltung des Aeroclubs"(Administration of the Aeroclub) (VdA),
consisted of the following headquarters and units:
Units Location
Headquarters VdA Cottbus airfield and Funker
Kaserne in Cottbus
1st Tech Base (301) Cottbus airfield
2nd Tech Base (302) Drewitz airfield
3rd Tech Base (303) Bautzen-Litten airfield and
4th Tech Base (304)
Husaren Kaserne in Bautzen
Kamenz airfield and Panzer Kaserne
in Kamenz
5th Tech Base (305), presumably Jocksdorf airfield
being newly organized
Headquarters in Augustusbad (400) Augustusbad near Radeberg
VdA School (500)
lst Aeroclub Cottbus (600)
2nd Aeroclub Drewitz (700)
3rd Aeroclub Bautzen (800)
Central supply depot of the
VdA 0311/12)
For distribution of units, see Annex 1.
Cottbus airfield and presumably
Jocksdorf airfield
Drewitz airfield
Bautzen and Kamenz airfields
Goerlitz
The VdA Hq is believed to be the command headquarters of the VPL and
controls the following:
Organization and administration of the entire VPL
Organization and administration of ground units (technical bases)
Planning of airfield construction work (construction staff)
Planning and supervision of flying and technical training
(Aeroclubs and School No 500)
Recruiting of personnel (Headquarters No 400)
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Chief of the HQ VdA and simultane&usly commander-in-chief of the VPL
is Brigadier General Heinz Kessler. Chief of staff of the VdA is
Brigadier General Heinz Zorn and is in charge of all tactical and
training matters. Colonel Alter (fnu), chief of the Main Department
for Rear Services, is in charge of technical bases, supply matters
and the recruiting system. Thus, the IiQ VdA combines the.missions of
an air force operations staff, an air corps headquarters, and an air
technical division headquarters. Three different missions will probably
be assigned to various headquarters in the course of the further
development of VPL. For organizational setup of the Central VdA
Headquarters, see Annex 2.
The Technical Bases Nos 301 through'304 correspond to the airfield
supply battalions (OATB) of the Soviet Air Force. A 5th Tech Base
was presumably organized at Jocksdorf airfield. The technical bases
are in charge of the administration and maintenance of airfield
installations and the supply of air units with technical equipment,
aviation fuel, rations etc. According to these missions, an airfield
company, a motor vehicle company and a guard company are assigned to
each technical base. Part of the personnel are trained in special
training courses at Installation No 400 in Augustusbad where new VPL
personnel are also inducted and receive their basic military training.
For organization of a technical base, see Annex 3.
With regard to their organization, the Aeroclubs Nos 600, 700 and 800
correspond to Soviet Air Force divisions. Their component "Departments"
correspond to Soviet Air Force regiments. The regiments include both
flying and technical personnel, The pilots are trained in the department
of the Aeroclub while the technical personnel are trained at VdA School
No 500 in Kamenz prior to their transfer to the Aeroclubs. For the time
being, the Aeroclubs still have the outward appearance of schools,
while their sub-division into departments (regiments) and squadrons
already reflects the organization of combat units. At present, each
Aeroclub consists of 2 Abteilungen (departments). The 1st Department
conducts initial training on Yak-18s and the 2nd Department advanced
training on Yak-lls. The 3rd Department which is being organized will
probably be charged with transitional training to jet aircraft. For
organization of Aeroclub (VPL dDivision), see Annex 4.
The VdA School No 500 in Kamenz is charged with the training of air
force maintenance personnel of all technical branches including
meteorologists and signal communication personnel. The aircraft
technicians ranking as officers and aircraft mechanics with the rank
of NCO are trained separately. For organization of VdA School 500,
see Annex 5. For list of leading VPL personnel, see Annex 6.
C. Training of Pilots
1. Personnel
a. Training in the USSR
In January 1952, members of the VP headquarters were selected
by a team of Soviet physicians. They were then assembled in
Pinnow northeast of Angermuende where theoretical pilot training
was begun. In June 1952, the training course which had about
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210 men was transferred to Pirna/Sonnenstein. There, an additional
90 student pilots of the Landesjugendechule were assigned to the
course. In September 1952, about 280 members of the course were
transferred to Syzran near Kuibishev in the USSR. The German chief
of the training course in the USSR was Captain Raatz (fnu), who is
now the commander of the Cottbus Aeroclub. Soviet officers were in
charge of theoretical and practical training. Flying was performed
only with single-engine Yak-18 and Yak-11 aircraft. Each student
received about 60 hours with each aircraft type.~A total of 20
students were dropped from the course because they were considered
to be unfit. The entire course returned to Germany and arrived in
Kamenzon 29 October 1953. After a 6-week furlough, the individual
members were assigned to the 3 Aeroclubs in Cottbus, Drewith and
Bautzen. The re-organization of the VPL on 1 October 1953 and the
establishment of the 2nd Departments of the individual Aeroclubs
are probably connected with the return from the USSR of these VPL
members.
It is assumed that about 260 VPL pilots who were trained in the USSR
and subsequently practiced flying on Yak-lls in the Soviet Zone of
Germany in 1954 have reached the highest status of training among
VPL personnel. It is therefore presumed that they will be the first
to receive transitional training to jet aircraft.
b. Training in the Soviet Zone of Germany.
In August 1952, about 160 men who were considered fit for flying
duties were selected from the KVP agencies. They participated in
a theoretical training course on Yak-18s in Cottbus from 28 August
to 30 September 1952. Upon completion of this course, the pilot
students were distributed to the 3 VPL regiments and flight training
on Yak-18s was started by the 3 regiments on 1 October 1952. Training
on Yak-lls began in March 1953. The first shipments of MiG-158 from
the USSR arrived in Cottbus in March 1953. As flight training
advanced rapidly, it is assumed that some of the personnel had
already received initial training with the former German Air Force.
From the beginning of April 1953, the regiment in Kamenz continued
practice flying with Yak-lls at Dresden-Klotzsche airfield because
the soil conditions at Kamenz airfield were rather poor. The Kamenz
regiment transferred to the completed Drewitz airfield in early June 1953.
In early May 1953, the first flights were made with U-MiG-l5s at Cottbus
airfield where the VPL pilots were instructed by Soviet pilots. This
training activity was discontinued after the riot on 17 June 1953.
In late May 1953, pilots of the former Deutsche Luftwaffe were again
examined for their fitness for flying, probably because of a
shortage of pilots in the VPL who could qualify for unit commanders.
Of 23 men only 15 were considered to be physically fit for flying.
A special training course was held from early September to mid-
October 1955 for all commanders from squadron commander to division
commander including the selected 15 pilots of the firmer Luftwaffe.
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The VPL regiments again started flying activity with Yak-18s
on 14 October 1953. Training activity with Yak-lls began on
25 November 1953. The flight instructors were VPO pilots.
Since the fall of 1952, only a small number of personnel from
the Augustusbad recruiting center or the VdA school in Kamenz
have been assigned to flight training. Only individual VPL
candidates who were fit for flying duties were probably assignee
to the Aeroclubs. It is believed that at present 420 to 450 VPL
pilots including those trained in the USSR are undergoing training
in the Soviet Zone of Germany. A portion of these pilots receive
initial training on Yak-18s, while another portion has presumhhly
reached such an advanced training status on Yak-11s that
transition to jet aircraft can begin. Only after the arrival of
jet aircraft and the organization of combat units 'will it be
possible to induct new pilot candidates. Training activity on a
large scale is not possible for the time being because of the
small number of Yak-18s and Yak-lls available to the Aeroclubs.
2. Training Program
Initial training on Yak-18s and Yak-lls includes about 60 flying hours
of the following training program:
a. Individual Local flying with flight instructor: Take-off, 4 x 90-
degree banks, landing, taxying back to take-off point; flight
altitude about 200 meters, duration of one local flight about 6
minutes.
b. Local flying with flight instructor: Same flights as described in
item a) but 3 to 4 local flights in succession with intermediate
touch and go runs on the runway.
c. Local flying without instructor: First solo flight after 40 to 60
take-offs with instructor. About 20 flying hours for practices
described in items a through c.
d. High-altitude flying: Flights at an altitude of 3,500 to 4,000
meters with instructor within airfield zone: no oxygen mask used.
e. Flying in zones: Flights with and without instructor in an area
of about 20 km around the field.
f. Aerobatics: Instruction flights with instructor, about 2 flights
of 30 minutes duration; flying through the program in solo flight;
program includes diving, Immelmann turn, roll, spinning,loop,
simulated force landing. About 15 flying hours for flights described
in items 41 through f.
g. Formation flying: Flights in elements of two, leading aircraft
occupied by instructor and student, second aircraft occupied only
by students. Distance and interval between 2 aircraft about 50
meters. About'16 flying hours.
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h. Cross-country flying: 5 cross-country flights of about 80 minutes
duration with instructor. One cross-country test flight of same
duration. Usual flight route: Cottbus - Kamenz - Bautzen - Cottbus
or opposite direction, without intermediate landings. Flight altitude
not over 2,000 meters, ceiling not more than 310, visibility not
less than 25 km. Radio communication only with ground radio station of
home base. Total flying time: about 8 hours.
i. Instrument flying: Flights of about 45 minutes duration with.
instructor. Curtains of student's cabin section lowered. Takeoff and
landing performed by instructor. Flight altitude about 1,500 meters.
k. Parachuting: Each pilot must make one parachute jump from a transport
aircraft both during the winner and summer training period.
During the training period with Yak-lls, the flying hours for initial
training are reduced and the following practices are held instead:
Simulated air fighting exe vises, so-called "combat flying"
(Kampfordnungsfliegen) i.e. flying in elements of two aircraft with
quick changes of course and attitude of flight; the second aircraft
must give protection to the formation leader in a simulated iir combat.
Plying in formations of 4 and 9 to 12 aircraft.
Firing practices with live ammunition and gun cameras. Firing ranges
were established near Lieberose, Hoyerswerda and Niesky northwest of
Goerlitz.
Continuation of instrument flying.
In conjunction with flight training, theoretical and practical training
is given in the following subjects during 5-month training courses;
Political indoctrination
Ground and air tactics
30 to
Engines
15
Airframe
15 to
Aircraft weapons
Instruction on auxiliary aircraft
15 tl
Equipment
Navigation
10
eteorology
8 "
Aerodynamics
15
Lilitary training
14
Athletics
20 to
Interpretation of terrain features
10 to
First aid
Russian language
5 of
38 "
Radio operations
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Instruction on air tactics included:
a. Close support of -round troops
b. Co-operation with fighter and ground attack units
c. Employment of fighters as fighter-bombers against enemy ground
organization
d. Fighter escort for bomber units
The type of flight training and theoretical instruction indicates
that the VPL units are scheduled to be employed like the fighter units
of the Twenty-Fourth Air Army.
D. Technical Training
1. VdA School 500 at Kamenz
The training of air technical personnel started in February 1152
in Pirna/Sonnenstein where about 200 men including 70 jo newly
inducted personnel and 30 % from HVP agencies were assembled for
a course. Seven Soviets were employed as instructors.
In June 1952, this course was transferred to the Kamene Technical
Officer and NCO School, while the preparatory course for pilots
(mentioned in item C la) moved to Pirna. In Kamenz, technical
trainees who arrived from Pirna were organized into a 1st and a 2nd
Co. Other personnel attending training courses came to Kamenz between
June and September 1952 and at first received basic military trailing.
A portion of the newly inducted personnel had either graduated from
technical schools or had attended universities.
The following technical training courses began in Kamenz on 1
October 1952:
Course I: About 600 officers who were trained as aircraft technicians.
1st to 3rd Cos: Aircraft technicians
4th Co Ordnance technicians
5th Co Electric engineers
Course II: About 400 NCOs who were trained as aircraft mechanics.
6th to 8th Cos: Aircraft mechanics
9th Co . Aircraft instrument mechanics and flight control
personnel.
The NCO course terminated at the end of 1953, the officer course in
August 1954. The aircraft technicians and mechanics who completed
the courses were assigned to the various Aeroclubs. Some officers
of the technical training course were retained as instructors for
VdA School 500.
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In May 1953, an officer course for radio operations and signal
communications was transferred from Augustusbad near Radeberg
to the Kamenz school under the designation of "Course III, 10th
Co." This course with about 130 men had presumably been organized
in Augustusbad in the middle of 1952 and was scheduled to last
until February 1955.
In early 1954, a course for meteorologists was transferred from
Pirna/Sonnenstein to VdA School 500 in Kamenz. This course which
had started in Pirna in September 1952 was attended by 6 officers
and 82 NCOs and EM of whom 36 were to be trained as meteorologists,
14 as specialists in the composition of synoptical weather charts,
26 assistant meteorologists (Wettertechniker) and 12 radio
operators for the transmission of weather data. This course was
concluded in Kamenz in June 1954.
In early 1954, after termination of the first NCO training course
in Kamenz, a new training course was formed from personnel, who
hat been inducted in Augustusbad, received basic military training
in Pirna/Sonnenstein and were then transferred to Kamenz. Prior to
the beginning of technical training in Kamenz in October 1954,
these personnel received their basic military training and were
organized into a III Bn with 3 companies with a total personnel
strength of 3 officers, 12 NCOs and 360 EM. Most of the members of
this battalion had graduated from secondary schools, while only a
few came from elementary schools or civilian employment. A 4th Co
which also. arrived in Kamenz from Augustusbad via Pirna was sent
to Bautzen and assigned to the 3rd Tech Base.
In mid-October 1954, when technical training started, the officer
course of VdA School 500 was subdivided into the 6th Co consisting
of radio and signal officers of the former 10th Co, who were scheduled
to terminate their training by February 1955,
the 7th through 9th Cos consisting offofficers who were being
trained as aircraft technicians for about 2 years.
These two courses numbered about 400 men at the beginning.
During the last quarter of 1954, an additional 3 companies of
recruits were probably transferred from Augustusbad to Kamenz
where they were formed into a IV Bn. These men are possibly to
be trained as mechanics in a new training course. A so-called
"qualification" course was planned to begin at VdA School 500 in
late 1954. The aim of this course was to raise technical personnel
of the Aeroclubs and some instructors of the Kamenz school to the
level of students of the first officer training course.
The following personnel have received thorough technical training
at the Kamenz VdA School 500 since the establishment of the VPL:
about 600 aircraft technicians
400 aircraft mechanics
130 radio and signal officers
90 meteorologists
An additional estimated 800 men are believed to be undergoing
training.
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2. Other Training Courses.
Several short training courses were held by VPL Div 600 in order
to obtain in the quickest time possible, cadres of technical.
personnel when the first VPL units were organized in 1952. For
this purpose, a division mechanic school was temporarily established
at Object II of the Panzer Kaserne in Kamenz. A portion of the
trainees had belonged to the first cadre of 1,300 men who had been
transferred from Zeithain to the VPL stations in Cottbus, Bautzen
and Kamenz in August 1952. It is probable that some. of the personnel
involved had undergone some technical training before joining the
VPL. Up to the middle of 1953, about 600 technicians and Mechanics
had been trained in various fields in these courses of the division
mechanic school. At the same time, Soviet instructors held a course
on Yak-18s for technical officers at Cottbus airfield. Between
October 1952 and early 1954, about 150 men were trained as radio
operators, radio mechanics and radio direction finding personnel in
a signal course of the division in Bautzen and Kamenz.
In early July 1954, 60 men of the VdA School in Kamenz were transferred
to a course for radio operators in Bautzen.
Additional training courses were held for navigation instructors,
parachute riggers and assistant meteorologists. According to
unconfirmed information, 50 VPL members were sent to the USSR in 1952
for training as aircraft engineers.
Taking into account the technicians and mechanics trained at VdA
School 500, it is assumed that the VPL units included a total of
about 2,000 technical personnel as of late 1954. On the assumption.
that about 500 air technical personnel are assigned to each Aeroclub
fully equipped with aircraft, the total number of technical personnel
available would suffice to meet the personnel requirement of 4
Aeroclubs (divisions).
3. Training Progbam
The following is the instruction schedule for the training of radio
officers:
duration of course
basic military training
guard duty
furlough
firing training
political indoctrination
air tactics
topography
mathematics
mechanics
aircraft theory
aircraft engines
airframe
2 years
2 months
40 days
40 days
100 hours
400 hours
40 hours
40 hours
40 hours
40 hours
120 hours
40 hours
70 hours
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elementary electrical and 100 hours
radio engineering
electrical equipment of 70 hours
aircraft
elements of D/F operation 100 hours
instruction on the operation 100 hours
of transmitters and receivers
instruction on special 100 hours
transmitting and receiving sets
instruction oh radio 100 hours
navigation sets
operating and maintenance 300 hours
of radio equipment
mechanical training 100 hours
study of manuals 100 hours
The courses for aircraft technicians included the following
practical exercises:
outward checking of aircraft,
assembly and disassembly of engine and landing gear,
filling and emptying of fuel and oil tanks,
checking of cockpit instruments,
test run and running up of engine,
checking of aircraft prior to and after flights.
Training equipment at VdA School 500 included numerous Instruction
charts, machines for manual training, such as lathes, drilling
machines etc. and
4 instruction aircraft of type Yak-18
3 instruction aircraft of type La-9
1 instruction aircraft of type Yak-11
in addition instruction engines and cut-open models of the
model ASH 82 FN engine for La-9 aircraft
model ASH 21 engine for Yak-11 aircraft
model IvI-11 FR for La-9 aircraft.
Prior to 17 June 1953, there had also been a MiG-15 and a RD-45
jet engine available for instructional purposes.
At first the quality of the training courses suffered from the fact
that many of the instructors did not have the required qualification
and technical knowledge because only convinced communists had been
selected and assigned to these posts. This led to the establishment
of a so-called "qualification course" in which the knowledge of
these instructors and personnel was to be improved.
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E. Recruiting by Agency 400
The VPL personnel consisted of volunteers who were recruited by special
recruiting commissions. Special efforts were made to obtain personnel
with technical training. The flying personnel will be recruited to an
increasing extent from the glider groups and later from the conventional
aircraft groups of the Athletic and Technical Association (GST). It is
believed that the recruiting of volunteers qualified as flight personnel
will be easier than that of technical personnel.
Newly inducted personnel were oganized into companies at the VPL Agency
400 in Augustusbad near Radeberg and received basic military training
for 8 to 12 weeks. The large number of personnel inducted during the
first half of 1954 necessitated basic military training also in Pirna/
Sonnenstein. In mid-June 1954, Pirna/Sonnenstein was vacated by all VPL
units.
Between October 1953 and October 1954, 13 companies (7th through 19th Cos)
were formed by the newly inducted personnel. Assuming that each company
had a strength of 80 to 100 men, this would add up to a total of about
1,200 men. Most of them were distributed among the companies of the
technical bases and VdA School 500 in Kamenz. About ? to 5 men of some
companies were assigned to flight training.
The newly inducted personnel in Augustusbad received instruction in the
following subjects:
political indoctrination
basic infantry training (A-tactics)
instruction in firing and on weapons
defense of airfields, construction of dui4my airfields,
construction of shrapnel-proff aircraft revetments,
aircraft recognition service (Lufttaktik)
service regulations
athletics
Besides the training of newly inducted personnel, various training courses
of the Main Department for Rear Services of the VdA Hq were held with
Agency 400. The following courses have been observed:
courses for NCOs to be utilized as basic training instructors
courses for drivers
courses for personnel of searchlights
courses for ration supply personnel
In these cokIrses, mostly special personnel of the technical bases which
are subordinate to the Main Department for Rear Services were trained.
The installation in Augustusbad housed the Agency 400 and the Main
Department for Gliding of the Ministry of the Interior. The latter
functioned as a coordinating agency between the GST and VdA.
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WORN
The VPL personnel originally had to sign up for 3 years. In June 1954,
new recruits had to sign a declaration binding them to serve "as long aE
party and government deem it necessary." After some time, this phrase wa"
dropped for juridical reasons. The officer students who attended the
technical course at VdA School 500 had to sign up for a total of 10 years
before the beginning of a 3-year training course.
This is presumably also true for the flying personnel. The pilots who
received training in the USSR in 1952/1953 had to state in writing that
they were willing to serve for 6 years prior to the beginning of their-
3-year training course.
F. Weapons and Equipment
The VPL is at present equipped with about 36 Yak-18s and 33 Yak-lls for
flight training in addition to some small model AN-2 transports which
are used as liaison aircraft for the routine parachute jumps of pilots.
For flight training, the Aeroclubs and technical bases are equipped with
the required special vehicles, such as command cars, radio trucks, tank
trucks, trucks mounting searchlights, repair shop trucks and tractors.
Soviet-made DF stations, homing radio beacons etc. are available for air
traffic control and voice-radio traffic. Prior to June 1953, VPL airfields
had been equipped with radar sets but these were also withdrawn along
with the MiG-15 aircraft.
There are some indications that some jet trainers, possibly of type Yak-23,
are available at.Jocksdorf airfield. Re-equipping the VPL units with MiG-15s
has, however, not yet been begun.
The VPL units are equipped with small arms, submachine guns etc. for
training purposes. These weapons are stored in ordnance shops and are
issued only for guard duty, basic military training and firing practices.
G. Supp1Y
The VPL depends entirely on the Soviets with regard to the supply of
aircraft, armament, ammunition and special equipment. For this reason,
the supply of spare parts and engines and the replacement of crashed
aircraft is a time-consuming procadure. Technical equipment is supplied
through the Central Equipment Depot of the Twenty-Fourth Air Army in
Strausberg and the Central Supply Depot of the VdA (Agency 311/12) in
Goerlitz.
Motor vehicle fuel, clothing and rations are probably supplied by the
central supply depots of the KVP. Motor vehicles, except for special
vehicles, are mainly delivered by German firms.
Aviation gasoline is mainly supplied by East German hydrogenation plants
which also supply the Twenty-Fourth Air Army. Aviation gasoline is
allocated by the Soviet Occupation Power. Fuel and ammunition depots which
serve the VPL exIlusively are not known.
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H. Uniforms. Service Colors. Rank Insignia
1. The uniforms of the VPL 1kre the same as those of other KVP units
and resemble the uniforms of the Soviets in color (khaki and olive
drab) and out.
The following uniforms are in use:
fatigue uniform
service and guard uniform
dress uniform
flying suits.
Fatigue uniforms (denim) are only worn by NCOs and EM. Service uniforms
(khaki cloth) just as fatigue uniforms are worn for interior duty and
infantry training. NCOs and EBB wear laced boots and garrison caps.,
officers wear boots and garrison or service caps. Laced boots are
slowly to be replaced by buckle boots. Protective clothing is probably
used for special technical work.
Dress uniforms of NCOs and EM consist of khaki trousers and coats,
serviod caps and shoes; officers wear blue trousers, khaki coats, gray-
blue shirts with black neckties, service caps and shoes.
Flying suits vary according to the seaeoh and consist of fur-lined or
non-lined leather jackets, fur boots, lined or non-lined leather
helmets with attached headphones and throat-type microphones, gloves
and woolen sweaters.
Officers wear service caps with light blue ribbons, black patent
leather straps and crossed propellers surrounded by a wreath of ears
of corn in gold for flying personnel and in silver for other personnel.
Generals wear a cord interwoven with golden threads instead of the
patent-leather strap. Ga;rison caps of the officers of the flying
personnel have golden pipings, while those of the other officers have
silver pipings. NCOs and EM wear garrison caps while on duty and
service caps with light-blue ribbons and cockades when on pass.
The followin collar patches and pipings on epaulets are in use with
the VPL:
a. Flying personnel
Officers: Gold-bordered light-blue collar patches with a
golden wing.
NCOs and
EM Light-blue collar patches without pipings with a golden wing.
b. Technical personnel
Officers: Silver-bordered light-blue collar patches with a
silver wing.
NCOs and
EM Light-blue collar ptaches without piping with a silver wing.
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c. Other personnel
Officers: Silver-bordered light-blue collar patches without
wings - Such collar ptaches are for example worn by
the officers of technical bases.
TWOs and
EM Light-blue collar patches without pipings and wings.
All members of the VPL wear light-blue epaulets. Insignia for the
individual branches of service are not yet in existence but are
expected to be introduced.
3. Rank Insignia.
The rank insignia of the VPL personnel correspond to those of the
KVP and are displayed on epaulets.
Private
Corporal
Sergeant
Technical sergeant
Master sergeant
Sub-lieutenant
Lieutenant
Senior lieutenant
Captain
Major
Lieutenant colonel
Colonel
Brigadier,. general
Major general
General
no insignia
one silver cross bar
epaulets with silver braid except
at the side facing the sleeve
completely edged by a silver braid,
one star
same as technical sergeant but with
two stars;
First sergeants also wear a stripe,
16 mm wide, presumably of silver
braid, around the sleeve
smooth silver epaulet, one star
same as sub-lieutenant, but 2 stars
same as sub-lieutenant,but 3 stars
saem as sub-lieutenant, but 4 stars
braided silver epaulet, 1 star
same as major, but 2 stars
same as major but 3 start
braided golden epaulet, silver star
same as brigadier general, but 2 stars
same as brigadier general, but 3 stars
Except for generals, the officers wear golden stars.
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I. Construction Matters
An agency called "Chef fuer Bauwesen and Unterbringung"
(Chief for Construction and Billeting) is in existence at the
Ministry of the Interior/KVP. It serves all branches of the
KVP, i.e. the army, navy and air force. The Administration for
Construction Work and the Administration for Billeting Affairs
are subordinate to this agency. The construction projects
designed by the planning section of the Administration for
Billeting Affairs are executed by the Bauunion Sued and the
Bauunion Kueste in co-operation with the Administration for
Construction Work.
Details of airfield projects are handled by the Main Department
for Airfield Construction Work which is attached to the VdA Hq
in Cottbus. This department submits plans to the Chief for
Construction and Billeting Affairs. Completed plans with attached
material plans are forwarded to the Planning and Coordinating
Department of the Ministry of the Interior which orders the State
Planning Commission to make the necessary arrangements concerning
materials and monetary allocations. Airfield construction work is
executed in co-operation between the Bauunion Sued and the Main
Department for Airfield Construction Work at Cottbus. Kontroll-
Inspekteurgruppen (KI-Gruppen) (Teams of inspectors) were formed
in the pall of 1953 to control KVP construction projects mainly
with regard to the observance of estimates of costs. On 1 January
1955, a KI group was also formed at the VdA Hq in Cottbus.
The planning of airfield constructions, depends largely on the
planning of the Special Construction Staff of the Soviet Air
Force in !herder and it is believed that all airfield constructions
in the GDR are directed by this staff. Bauunion Sued is therefore
not only employed for the construction of airfield installations
scheduled for use by the VPL but also for those to be used by
the Soviets. In addition to Bauunion Sued, the VEB Ing Tiefbau
Brandenburg is at present charged with the construction of airfield
installations in the GDR.
Completed airfield buildings are administered b; the Billeting
Department of the Main Department for Rear Services at the VdA Hq.
K. Summary
The follwwing is a tabulation of the present total strengths
of the VPL units:
VdA Hq
(including guard battalion,
motor vehicle and signal
companies)
380 officers, 550 NCOs and EM
Four technical bases 216 1,200
Three aeroclubs 1,080 it 1,950
VdA School 500 240 " 920
Agency 400 20 It 300
I, 11 11
11 11 11
11 1/ tt
Total 1,936 officers 4,920 NCOs and EM
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Since each dertment (regiment) requires one technical base
(airfield supply battalion),'5 additional technical bases have
to be formed in connection with the intensification of flight
and technical training, the re-training on jet aircraft, and the
conversion of the aeroclubs into operational units. This would
result in an additional requirement of about 270 officers and
1,500 NCOs and EM. The recruiting of this personnel would raise
the total personnel strength of the VPL to about 9,000 organized
into 3 fighter divisions and one pilot school for basic training.
In due course, the VPL will probably also organize an aircraft
reporting service (radar installations) and establish repair
installations, an air transport regiment and supply units etc.
for the execution of services which are at present mainly
furnished by the. Soviets. For these services, presumably an additional
2,000 to 3,600 personnel will be required, a reinforcement which
would raise the total personnel strength of the VPL to 11,000
to 12,000.
The conversion of only one VPL division into an operational unit
is expected in the near future. It may be expected that one
fighter corps will be ready for employment by late 1956.
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1
Scale 1:500 000
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Organizational Setup of the Central VdA Headquarters
Cief of the VdA
Chief of staff
Deputy chief of staff (and chief of the operations department)
Deputy chief in charge of general affairs
Liaison officer to the State Secretariat for Security
Main Department for Political and Cultural Aff#Ars (Polit-Kultur)
(Deputy chief in charge of political and cultural affairs)
Departments for : Party documents
Youth affairs (FdJ secretary)
Party affairs (party secretary)
about 25 personnel
Main Department for Technical Affairs
(Deputy chief in charge of technical affairs)
Departments for: Equipment
Engines
Airframes
Radio equipment
Armament
Repair and Maintenance
about. 15 personnel
Main Department for Airfield Construction
(Deputy chief in charge of construction matters)
Departments for : Finances
Planning and Surveying
Supervision of construction sites
about 75 personnel including
25 civilians
Main Department for Rear Services
(Deputy chief in charge for rear services)
Chief of staff
Political officer
Departments for: Organization
Cadre
Training
Airfields
Technics
Motor vehicles
Fuel and lubricants
Supply
Clothing and equipment
Billeting affairs
Medical care about 180 personnel
including civilians
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Chief in charge of flight training
Training Department
Sub-departments for : Flight training
General training
Tactics
Athletics
Parachuting
Training in logistics
Statistics
Translating and interpreting
about 21 personnel
Operations Department about 10 personnel
Organizational Department about 6 personnel
Signal Department
with meteorological sub-department about 26 personnel
including 16 in sub-department
Cadre Department about 18 personnel
Finance Department about 5 personnel
Economics Department about 14 personnel
The total strength of the VdA Hq was about 285 officers, 60 NCOs and
EM and 50 civilians. The chiefs of the main departments have the
rank of deputy VdA chief. The deputies are scheduled to become
brigadier generals, the chief of the VdA will be a full general and
the chief of staff a major general. The deputy chief for flight training
is an inspector rather than a chief of a main department.
The following Soviet advisors are detached to the headquarters of the VdA:
Chief advisor
Political advisor
Advisor for training
Advisor for parachuting
Advisor for signal communications
Advisor for technical services
Medical advisor.
For administration purposes the personnel of the VdA headquarters are
organized into a headquarters company.
A motor vehicle company consisting of 80 to 100 men and about 45 motor
vehicles also belongs to the VdA headquarters.
A guard battalion with 3 guard companies with a total of about 350
personnel and 36 motor vehicles is in charge of guarding the buildings
of the VdA headquarters.
A signal company with a total strength of about 60 personnel furnishes
the personnel for the switchboard, the teletype office and the radio
installation.
The guard battalion and the motor vehicle and signal companies are
quartered in the former Funker Kaserne at the southeastern edge of
Cottbus airfield.
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Annex 3
Organization of a Technical Base
The technical base (airfield supply battalion) is organized as
follows:
Hedaquarters
Airfield Company (1st Co)
Motor Vehicle Company (2nd Co)
Guard Company (3rd Co)
The headquarters is organized as follows:
Commanding officer
Chief of staff and assigned personnel
Deputy commander in charge of supply
affairs, with assigned personnel
Clothing and equipment section
Ration supply section
Quartering section
Technical Department
Technical officer
Technical depot
Fuel and lubricant section
Ordnance section
Political Department
Deputy commander in charge of
political affairs
Chief of propaganda
Party secretary
FdJ secretary
Liaison officer to the SFS
Signal Department
Switchboard
Teletype office
Radio station
(26)
(18)
(8)
(32)
Meteorological Department (6)
Cadre Department (2)
Finance Department (3)
Cash office
Bookkeeping
Medical Department (16)
Fire Department (14)
The figures in brackets indicate the number of personnel authorized
in the table of organization. According to these figures, the total
strength of a headquarters of a technical base amounts to about 35
officers, 80 NCOs and Elf and 20 civilian employees. The headquarters
personnel is probably organized into a headquarters company.
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The (lst) airfield company consists of 3 platoons and numbers
about 7 officers, 4 NCOs and 60 EM, including the company
headquarters personnel.
The (2nd) motor vehicle company consists of 2 motor vehicle
transport platoons, 2 special platoons and 1 repair shop platoon
and numbers about 7 officers, 2 NCOs and 70 EM.
The (3rd) guard company consists of 3 platoons of 3 NCOs and 27 EM
each and has a total strength of about 5'officers, 10 NCOs and 85 EM.
A technical base, therefore, has a total strength of about 54 officers,
300 NCOs and EM and 20 civilian employees. The following motor vehicles
are assigned to a technical base:
1 motorcycle
3 sedans
15 to 18 trucks
10 to 12 truck trailers
3 prime movers
1 heavy tractor
3 radio trucks
1 mobile flight control station with glass cupola
2 trucks mounting searchlights
1 repair shop truck with trailer
3 tank trucks including some with trailers
3 to 4 personnel carriers
1 propaganda loudspeaker vehicle
2 fire trucks
3 ambulaees
1 truck with hoisting gear
A technical base is, therefore, equipped with a total of 55 to 60
motor vehicles. Minor repairs are done at the motor vehicle repair
shop of the technical base, major repairs at the central motor vehicle
repair shop of the VdA in Kamenz, Object II.
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26 -
Annex 4 to
organization of an Aeroclub (VPL Division
An aeroclub consists of a headquarters and 3 departments. Each
department consists of 3 squadrons.
The headquarters of an aeroclub corresponds to the headquarters of
a Soviet Air Force division and a department to a Soviet Air Force
regiment. Expressed in former German terms, the aeroclub corresponds
to a "Geschwader" (wing), the department to a "Gruppe" (group).
The aeroclub headquarters has a strength of about 25 officers and
40 NCOs and EM. A headquarters includes a:
Commanding general (brigadier general)
Chief of staff
Deputy commander in charge of political affairs
Deputy commander in charge of flight training
Officer in charge of operations and deputy chief of staff
Officer in charge of organization
Chief engineer (technical officer)
Chief of the repair shop of the Aeroclub
Officer in charge of air-to-air firing
Officer in charge of parachuting
Chief navigator
Chief meteorologist
Officer in charge of signal communications
Officer in charge of cadre matters
Medical officer.
The same positions appear at departmental headquarters. Squadron
headquarters have the following positions:
6iaessx~lar~stoah offiesr)
Squadron commander
Deputy commander in charge of political affairs
Engineer (technical officer)
Navigator
Adjutant
Each squadron has 12 pilots, a department has therefore 36 pilots
plus 4 pilots assigned to the departmental headquarters. Each aeroclub
is assigned a total of 124 pilots. In the table of organization of a
departmental headquarters, the commanding officer, the chief of flight
training and the navigator are carried as pilots. In the table of
organization of squadrons the commanding officer, the officer for
political and cultural affairs and the navigator are carried as pilots.
All the other pilots are sub-lieutenants, lieutenants or senior
lieutenants.
As in Soviet units, the bulk of technical personnel is assigned to
squadrons to which the following technical personnel belongs:
1 engineer
12 aircraft technicians
12 aircraft mechanics
1 ordnance technician
2 ordnance mechanics
1 radio technician
2 radio mechanics
1 equipment technician
2 equipment mechanics
1 parachute rigger.
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Technical personnel will presumably be increased after the arrival
of new aircraft and/or the re-equipment with jet aircraft so that,
according to the Soviet pattern, the following personnel will
ultimately be assigned to each aircraft:
1 aircraft technician
1 aircraft mechanic
1 engine mechanic
1 ordnance mechanic
1 equipment mechanic
plus the following personnel in each squadron:
1 ordnance technician
1 radio technician
1 equipment technician
2 radio mechanics.
Technicians are sub-lieutenants or lieutenants, mechanics are NCOs.
The technical personnel of a departmental headquarters is administratively
attached to a squadron.
The squadrons are designated as follows:
1st Department lst to 3d squadrons
2d Department 4th to 6th squadrons
3d Department 7th to 9th squadrons
Each aeroclub is scheduled to have a repair shop.
The units are scheduled to have the following strengths:
Squadron : About 30 officers, 55 NCOs and EM, 12 aircraft;
Department: About 110 officers, 200 NCOs and EY1, 40 aircraft;
Aeroclub : About 360 officers, 650 NCOs and EU, 124 aircraft.
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Organizational Setup of VdA School 500
VdA School 500 is housed in the southern section of the former Panzer
Kaserne on Macher Strasse in Kamenz (Object I). The 4th Technical Base
and the 1st Department of the Aeroclub Bautzen are quartered in the
northern portion of the Panzer Kaserne (Object II).
Part of the latter unit is quartered at Kamenz airfield.
VdA School 500 is organized as follows:
Headquarters
Training section
Training courses
Headquarters company
The headquarters includes the following leading personnel:
Chief of the school
Deputy commander in charge of political affairs (PK)
Chief of staff
Party secretary
FDJ secretary
Deputy commander in charge of basic training
Deputy commander in charge of supply matters
Deputy commander in charge of financial matters
Depl.ty.commander in charge of propaganda
Deputy commander in charge of cadre affairs
Medical officer
Chief of the PKK (Partei Kontroll Kommission) (Party Control
Commission)
The training section includes about 200 officers and is organized
as follows:
Chief of training section
Deputy chief of training section
Planning section
Instruction sections for: Politics
Aircraft engines
Airframes
Radio operation and radio orientation
Electrical equipment
Armament
Meteorology
Practical training
Topography
"Methodisches Kabinett (a special section)
for instruction material)
Each instruction section has one chief, several chief instructors and
some instructors. For instruction purposes, each section is divided
into several classes.
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Annex 5
Each course is headed by a so-called "Lehrgangsleiter" (Chief of course).
Depending on the number of participants in a course, the courses are
divided into companies of 3 platoons with 3 squads to each platoon. The
company commander, company PKs and platoon leaders do not belong to a
training section but function as military superiors.
The headquarters personnel is organized into a headquarters company
to which the motor vehcle section with about 5 sedans and 10 trucks
is attacked.
Prior to the begiALning of technical instruction courses, the recruits
sent by Agency 400 in Augustusbad to Kamenz are temporarily organized
into battalions which conduct basic training and also perform guard
duties.
The total strength of the cadre personnel of VdA School 500 included
about 240 officers and 120 NCOs and ENi. The total capacity of the
school amounts to 1,300 to 1,500 men.
Instruction rooms, workshops and pattern shops with the necessary
equipment for the trainees are available within the barracks area.
These installations and the equipment are administered by the socalled
"Methodisches Kabinett" 0 a special section for instruction material).
The management of the school and the instruction given is supervised
by 6 Soviet advisors.
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Eft Annex 6
Leading VdA Personnel
The following officers are, at present, assigned leading positions
in the VPL:
1. VdA Hq
Chief of VdA
Chief of Staff
Deputy commander in charge of
political affairs
Deputy commander in charge of
technical affairs
Deputy commander in charge of
construction affairs
Deputy commander in charge of
Rear Services
Deputy commander in charge of
flight training
Chief of training section
Chief of operations section
Chief of organization section
Chief of signal section
Chief of cadre section
Chief of finance section
Commanding officer of
Technical Base Cottbus
Commanding officer of
Technical Base Drewitz
Commanding officer of
Technical Base Bautzen
Commanding officer of
Technical Base Kamenz
3. Aeroclubs
Commanding officer of
Aeroclub Cottbus
Commanding officer of
1st Department
Commanding officer of
2nd Department
Commanding officer of
3rd Department
Brigadier General Kessler {f4MT'
Brigadier General Zorn 4?rrtrj
Lieutenant Colonel Barthel (f,A-)?
Colonel Kaiser (ft's)
Lieutenant Colonel Weickert ~I )
Colonel Alter (PdO
Colonel Lehwes Litzmann
Colonel Schroeter ($:r61
Lieutenant Colonel Sommerfeld (99j"
Captain Radon (+rrtTl
Major Wagner (fmd)
Major Weigelt (frru)
Lieutenant Colonel Baumbach (fnu)
Major Baldamus (fnw)
Captain Richter VIWff)
Major Zeeck
Captain Keil (fnu)
Major Raatz (fnu)
Lieutenant Rietschel (fnu)
Senior Lieutenant Heinrich (fnu)
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Annex 6
Commanding officer of
Aeroclub Bautzen
Commanding officer of
lst Department
Commanding officer of
2nd Department
Commanding officer of
3rd Department
Commanding officer of
Aeroclub Drewitz
Commanding officer of
lst Department
Commanding officer of
2nd Department
Commanding officer of
3rd De artment
.ntNv d
4. VdA School 500 iii Kamenz
Chief of training section
Deputy commander in charge of
p1litical affairs (PK)
5. Agency 400 in Augustusbff.d
Commanding officer
Chief of staff
Main section gliding/Ministry
of the Interior
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Lieutenant Colonel Wilpert
0
Captain Zieris (emu)
Senior Lieutenant Lange (f l
Senior Lieutenant Rappmann (f$lf~
Captain Reinhold (f
Captain Knoepfel (-n*)
unknown
Colonel Leopold (
Major Bueschel (tea)
Lieutenant Colonel Raupach (? )
Major Boldt (,fn)
Captain Rother
Major Beyer ()
Captain Donath (flu)
Major Hansen (fnu)
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