USIA ORDER FOR WINCHES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R002100080009-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 1998
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: November 24, 1948
• Content Type: REPORT

CLASSIFICATION SE CONTROL - U.S. OFFIUTAIS ONLY
Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA- P82-00457R002100080009-5
CENTRAL INTELLIG CE AGENCY REPORT NO.
INFORMATION REPORT
COUNTRY Austria/USSR DATE DISTR.
SUBJECT USIA Order for Winches Do uuil " " ? No. OF PAGES
PLACE NO, OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
ACQUIRED 7
a 3
DATE OF INFO
Autl' i~E,, , .
Ma October 194,I ata V 9 MAY 1978.By: ?-l---7SUPPLEMENT TO
25X1A2g
24 November 2W
2
25X1A2g
t: In the past two months, fragmentary reports have been re-
I An
ceived from sources of varying degrees of reliability indicating that the
USSR has placed large orders for winches with USIA machine construction
firms, and that this machingry, although ostensibly for lumbering or mining
operations, would be suitable for military use. Information in the fol-
lowing report, while it does not agree exactly with previous reports as to
total number of winches ordered and firms with which orders were placed,
serves to establish the fact that large numbers of winches have been ordered
by the USSR from USIA-controlled firms, and that these winches are suitable
for military as well as industrial use. Source of the following is new and
untested; however, the reliability of his information is enhanced by the
fact that he has studied engineering drawings being used in.the construction
of the winches he describes, and has discussed the plans with engineers work-
ing on the project.)
1. On or about 1 May 194, the Heavy Industry Section of USIA placed orders with
six USIA-controlled firms for a total of 4,000 power-driven winches (Winden).
Plans and specifications came from the USSR and complete uniformity was de-
manded.
rm
F
Waagner-Biro A.G,, ,,,,ew
ARNING NOTICE: THIS
The specifications call for an electric power-driven winch w&ghing three
metric tons, which operates on ball bearings set in metal runners, and is
capable of bringing a stationary weight of 60 tons into motion by pulling.
For testing purposes, the winch was bolted to a cement foundation and was
required to pull a box containing 60 tons of metal parts along a track.
3. Orders were placed as follgw
a. Winches
i
S. OFFIGIAIS ONLY
 Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RDP82-00457R002100080009-5
SECRET/CON U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
CENTRAL INTELL E AGENCY
25X1A2g
RaxDaimlerPuch A.G,) 2,150
Electric motors (20 KW, 220/280 V) from Siemens-Schutt
A.G., Vienna XX, Engerthstrasse; number unspecified.
Despite heavy pressure by USIA for'completion of the winches, progress has been
slow. Delaying factors are poor plans~, and shortage of materials, parts, and
capital. So far, Wiener Brueckenbau Vas produced nine finished winches, and
the other factories have finished not more than three samples. Large numbers
of winches, however,. are partially assembled, lacking only one or two parts.
This unfinished machinery clogs factory apace and hinders other production.
Chief production difficulties have been:
a. The original plans sent from the USSR contained many structural defects.
These defects were pointed out by Austrian engineers working on the winch
construction, and,the plans have been sent back to Russia on several oc-
casions. Soviet authorities in Vienna have not been willing to assume
responsibility for making any changes in the plans.
b. Specifications call for ball bearings which cannot be made in Austria.
After much argument, USIA agreed to order 500 ball bearing assemblies
from Switzerland. The purchase is being negotiated on behalf of USIA by
the purchasing agent of one of the Austrian firms working on the winchee7
but the full amount of foreign currency required has not yet been pro-
vided' Meanwhile, the responsible authorities in Russia have been re-
quested to agree that 3,500 winches be constructed with bushings (B1leheen--
packung).
c. USIA refuses to advance any money until the winches have been delivered,
and as a result, the plants filling the order are in financial difficulties.
USIA officials claim that the winches are needed for transporting lumber, but
the Austrian engineers believe the winches are to serve a military purpose,
The requirement that the winch pull a 60 ton weight, the relative compactness
of the unit, a specification that all winches be painted the same shade of
field grey, and insistence that specifications be foblowed in minute detail
are cited as indications of probable military use.
6. The Austrian. engineers predict that because of technical faults inherent in the
Soviet plans, the winch, as it is now being constructed, will not stand up under
long usage,
25X1A6
Comment: Another independent source, has reported that on 24 October 1948,
Juschwneschtrans, Soviet-controlled transportation firm in Vienna, received an order
to pick up 20 crates of lifting apparatus (Hebewerke) from Wiener Brueckenbau A.G.,
Vienna, and from Waegner-Biro for rail shipment to the USSR via Makachevo, and that
these are the first winch shipments handled by Juschwneschtrans in many mohths.
Source comments that receipt of the loading order by Juschwneschtrans does not
necessarily mean that the winches are ready. He claims that trSIA frequently sends
loading notices in order to be able to indicate on its books thap the order has
been completed on tlrrle, thus=placing possible blame for delay on Juschwneschtrans.
Souee added that according to invoice, each crate contains machinery weighing 1,800
kgs. It is noted that this weight does not ide with the figure of three tons
for each winch, given in the above report; how ver, if these are the same winches,
it is possible that they are being sent in two parts for easier handling.)
Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RDP82-00457R002100080009-5