MILITARY INFORMATION ON THE COASTAL REGION OF ALBANIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R010600280002-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 25, 2008
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: February 18, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/11/25: CIA-RDP82-00457R010600280002-6
CLASSIFICATION CONEs,NTIAL
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CENTRAL I~NTELLIIGN I O, GEN' I
E
REPORT No.
INFORMATION REPORT CD NO.
COUNTRY Albania
SUBJECT Military Information on the
Coastal Region oc Albania
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE. OF
INFO.
DO NOT CIRCULATE
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DATE DISTR. 18 February 1952
NO. OF PAGES 4 25X1
VM, OF ENCLS.
SlED BELOW)
UPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
21inokaster 25X1
1. In the former "Citta Militare," situated opposite the airfield, is located
the headquarters of an unidentified division.
2. At the two extremities of the "Citta I?.litare" are emplaced, two pieces of 25X1
anti-aircraft ar mounted
n
a
o
c
rriages with four rubber-tired wheels.
these pieces ver
l
y
arge and having full auto-
ma c re. The personnel maintaining these pieces live a shelter made of
stone covered with canvas. 25X1
3. There are eight pieces of heavy artillery in the "Citta i,iilitare," two of
which have been emplaced in the neighborhood of the Kardito bridge. There a,.-
also mortars of undetermined caliber mounted on wheels, 75 mm. won, and 25X1
anti-tank cannon.
4. In Giinokaster and environs there are from 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers of di
arms and services. fferent
5. In the "Citta ilitare," four new barracks have been built in which various
supplies are kept. These barracks measure 14 a 30 meters.
64, On the slopes of the mountain overlooking the "Citta ialitaro4 four corrugated
iron barracks have been built, inside of which are kept artillery pieces,
mortars, and machine guns. 1"Y pieces,
7. In the church situated 3 kilometers south of the point designated as
altitude 316 (G,jinok;aster map, 1:100,000) there are warehouses for food and
clothes, and about 20 soldiers posted on guard.
;. Near the electric power station there is a large, newly-constructed barracks
used as a warehouse for foodstuffs.
9. The construction of a new civilian hospital., was begun in the "Citta Ialitare" 25X1
anI"say1950.
CLASSIFICATION S /C0NTRO;-, - U.S.. OF'FlGL' LS (ELY
go- Jn-..
y Declassified
ss. Changed Tot TS
Auth.: HR 70.2
Date: --5-SE? -1M-- By:
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TROL .. U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
10. The headquarters of a unit of engineers is located in the same area; a certain
Captain Patil and about 100 workers under him, are attached to this headquarters.
3.1. A solidly-built, Underground prison is in course of construction.
12. Various units, among which are two assault battalions, are located along the
border.
Tend
13. An infantry battalion under the ecum and of a major is located here.
14. Antiaircraft and coastal batteries have been moved on to the hill where the
former royal palace is located. Other anti-4rrOraft pieces are emplaced along
the hills in the direction of Shkoder.
_. 25X1
_,.-
15. I I i
th
n
e
its
so
+0,000
ldiers.
16. The warehouses of the port are full of cases containing miscellaneous material
recently arrived from the USSR, Rumania, Czechoslovakia and Poland. Between 25X1
the customs and the
ort
t
di
t
p
, a
a
s
ance of about.5OO meters, there are great 25X1
quantities of pipes of various dimensions iron rods and large cases of
this material 119-t6-
s to be used at the ail fields o ucove.
V
17. More than 30 officers and "aspirants" of various arms have been noted in the
city.
1S, A section of the Police, popularly called the "torturers," has its' office in
the Duni Palace,
19. Soldiers in light blue uniforms have been noticed since approximately the
beginning of 1951.
20. In the immediate vicinity of the insane asylum, tunnels are being built in
which coast artillery will be located.
eh
21. In the zone situated about 15 kilometers to the east of Vione, four unidentified
battalions are encamped.
22. The point designated as altitude 115, east of Vione (probably near Drashovice)
is strongly fortified.
Q~
23. To the east of Vlone, a radar station is located.
24. Military repair shops recently have been built here.
25. On the heights dominating the sea, tunnels are being constructed for coast
artillery emplacements.
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U.S. (FXCIALS CULY
CPNTRAL INTELLIGENCE AG acy
3
26. Large military repair"shops have been built in the immediate vicinity of the
city, on the road to Durres.
27. In the former "Sate" establishment, there is a civilian motor pool with about
250 vehicles.
28. The ammmition depot of the DMP (Divisione Mbrojtes Popullit)1 is in the
eat-royal palaaoe. ,
29. The present Albanian An W has a strength of about 70,,000 meow, in addition to
the Police, who number about 30,000. Presently under arms is the entire class
of 1932. Previous classes are called in turn every two months (sic). The
next call will be for the class of 1933.
30. During the Tirana military parade of 29 October 1950, on the anniversary of
the liberati
f Alb
on o
ania, the following were noted:
as 30 to 40 medium tanks armed with long cannon;
b. 4 Tiger tanks;
30 armored oars of two unidentified types;
d. 50 piece's of artillery pulled by small, prime movers;
40 pieces of motorized antitank-artillery;
f. 1' company of 70 motorcyclists with sub-machine guns mounted on the
handle -bare of their vehicles.
31. In the woods situated near a small church, mid-way on the Kelcyre-Beret
highway, there is a barracks about 20 meters square. It is isolated and
used as a powder magazine. It Is guarded by about 10 soldiers'.
32. Ohn, the road from Tepele a to Gjinokaster, at'the 16 kilometer point, is a.
stone bridge on the right of which are two aumnmition storehouses, measuring
about 9 x 30 meters, with floors of reinforced concrete.
33. During early 1951 about 30 freight trains arrived at the Yzberishe railroad
station from which Albanian soldiers unloaded cases (contents unknown). The
cases were taken to the Shkumbini Barracks.
34. The entire 'Albanian coast is closely guarded by members of the Border Nil itia, 25X1
as well as by motor torpedo boats of the Albanian Navy.
35. there are no searchlights in Albania
d
, an
s
recently sic-presumably during Mft-1g 1951} when ,San "
f
o
flaw over Albanian t t I %; Lul IIOtm Wag=
rri cry, antiaircraft batteries - opened fire without the 25X1
aid of sear
hli
ht
c
g
s.
36. The tankvers' barracks are situated at the crossroads to the south of
point designated as altitude 67 (Albania map 1:100,000, Tirana sheet).
37. During early 1951, a large number of gasoline drums arrived in Albania from
Czechoslovakia. It is not known where they have been stored,
38. The present ranks of non-commissioned officers in the. Albanian Army are
indicated by transverse silver stripes worn on the shoulders: corporal,
1 stripe- sergeant, 2 stripes; sergeant.major, 3; "marescialla" (staff
sergeant), 4.
39. In the zone to the north and south of the cart road from Tirana to Noroqi (sic-
Ndroq?) is an ammamition depot consisting of various buildings built on both
CoiftowAr U.s. OFFICIALS CHLY
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r 4 ..
sides of the road,
40. Along the mule track east of Tirana, which passes by Kasermat (sic) and
Senioa (sic) toward Iotmt Dajti, is located a company of military engineers,
the Officers' Candidate School, depots of portable and automatic arms with
their amimmition, and the repair shop of the Intermarrra Rruga.
41. The "Fjver" vehicle maintenance establis intent is the largest and best equipped
in Albania. It is located on the premises of the former Fiat works, and is
composed of large barracks about 100 meters long. About 100 soldiers and 150
civilians work there. The workshop produces pistons and piston rings; provides
for the assembly, disassembly, and overhaul of vehicles; and has a foundry
section for bronze, cast iron, and aluminum.
422.. The director of the "Enver"'works Is Captain Tom Berko; the political oamissar,
Captain Raffaele Spiro; and chief of planning, ' Lieutenant rofokli Kalupi.
43. Production of the "Ehver" works is l i ted .by lack of raw materials and
specialized workers. Only about 20 vehicles uer month can 'be reaafred_ 25X1
1.
Generally conceded to have been disbanded in 1949, 25X1
and Its units incorporated. Into the regular Army, the Border-Coastal
Command, and the SiguErbmi.
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