AIR ACTIVITY OBSERVED OVER LEGNICA (LIEGNITZ)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A007100230005-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 24, 2008
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: May 20, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/06/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA007100230005-6
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COUNTRY P~ c y ~e.' EPORT
TOPIC Jar Activity Observed Over Legnica (Liegnitz)
V'25X1
EVALUATION
DATE OF CONTENT
DATE OBTAINED
REFERENCES
PAGES 2 ENCLOSURES (NO. & TYPE),
REMARKS
20 May 1955
1. Between 1953 and approximately November 1954, aircraft were seen flying from the
direction of the southern edge of Liegnitz, climbing from a low altitude over
Pahlowitz (51 11 N/16 06 E) and practicing flying in thiair space southwest of
Liegnitz (51 12 N116 l0 E)9 Air activity during the summer months was more
intensive than during the winter. The type of air activity did not differ. The
aircraft always flew in a formation of 9 to 12. While crossing over Pahlowitz at
a low altitude, they still flew individually and at short intervals after each
other. The first aircraft climbed slowly flying straight ahead, while the other
aircraft alternately flew to the right and left rear of the leading plane. Later
on, the aircraft assembled in a wedge formation. After forming a formation, the
aircraft mostly left the Liegnitz air space. The return of the aircraft was never
observed. Not more than one formation of a maximum of 12 aircr-.ft was observed
aloft. The intervals and distances between the aircraft of the individual formations
differed greatly. Sometimes, the aircraft flew in close-order and sometimes in
spread-out formation. The aircraft had two engines in the wings, single rudder
assembly and cabin windows at the side of the fuselage. The landing gear and a
small wheel under the tail were retractable. From the observation that the aircraft
always approached from the southern edge of Liegnitz it was inferred that they took
off from the airfield located there.
2. Up to the first days in January 1955, there was also air activity by single-engine
aircraft which crossed over Pahlowitz at a low altitude while climbingo hey
approached from the same direction as the twin-engine aircraft and apparently had
taken off from the same airfield. There was more intensive air activity by the
single-engine aircraft than by the twin-engine planes. The former flew almost
every day during the summer months but less frequently during the winter,. The
single-engine aircraft usually flew in formations of 3 to 9 aircraft. While
climbing over Pahlowitz, the aircraft flew individually and aft of each other.
Thsn the first aircraft flew straight on while the other aircraft joined. up in
echelon to the right in the Liegnitz area. This procedure was repeated several
times on individual days. Not more than one formation was seen aloft. The
formation flew either in close order or spread out. It was noted that the d, .
engine aircraft flew considerably slower than the twin-engine Eli
Description of single-engine aircraft: Low-wing monoplane with p 25X1
engine in nose compartment, retractable landin ear two-man coc wompm
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Approved For Release 2008/06/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA007100230005-6
 Approved For Release 2008/06/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA007100230005-6
CON_^IDENTL9
5
f~,.shion rod star on underside of wings and on rudder assemblyg black-
bowhi to letters "A 1" or "A 2" on fuselage aft of wings.
from =round late 1952 or early 1953 to October 1954, individual elements of
2 aircraft with one jet engine were observed flying over Liegnitz at medium
or high altitudes, sometimes with vapor trails,, It could not be determined
from which airfield the aircraft came. Air activity was not observed daily
but frequently and sometimes eever,al elements of two were seen aloft. The
aircraft which flew at a high speed had considerably swept-back wings, a
slim fuselage, and a very high rudder assembly on the tail.2
Around late 1953 or early 1954, the fist twin-.jet aircraft were seen flying
over Liegnitz at very high altitudes. he last observations were made around
A1u: -ust 19r4. It could not be determined where the aircraft came from. The
tw,win-jet aircraft which always flew in individual elements of two while
developing vapor trails were seen less frequently than the single-jet planes.
The following features were observed on the twin-jet aircraft:
11.0 Considerably swept-back wings like those of single-jet aircraft.
b. Slim fuselage with long nose, the latter much longer than on single-jet
aArcr~"ft.
co Lntire aircraft longer than single-jet plane
d. Two long: devices projecting beyond leading-edges of wings; devices cut off
in front
e0 Slightly larger but slimmer than single-jet aircraft
f. Somewhat slower than single -t aircraft
The devices which were not seen under the wings but projecting beyond the
leading edges were almost as thick as the fuselage. They were so large and thick
that they were recognized at high altitudes. These devices were presumed to
be jet engines, and. definitely not auxiliary fuel tanks.T raft were
undoubtedly of another type than the single -jet aircraft 25X1
During 1954, night flights were repeatedly made by individual aircraft which
apparently came from Liegnitz airfield. From the sound of engines heard it was
inferred that they were the sale single-engine and twin-engine aircraft which
were observed during daytime. he noise of jet aircraft was -ever heard at
night. 25X1
Comment- The airfield southeast of Liegnitz is occupied by a Soviet
ground attack division headqu,,rters and 1 or 2 ground attack regiments in
addition to a transport unit equipped with Li-2s.
Comment.. Presumably Polish MiG-15 formations from Breslau or Soviet
aircraft from Sagan-Kuepper.
Comment.' The correctness of this observ-:tion is doubted. It is assumed
that source mentally transferred the well known features of the swept-back
MiG~15 to the twin-jet aircraft of type I1-28 which have been stationed in
Krieg since early 195',.
4Pk
CONFIDETIA
Approved For Release 2008/06/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA007100230005-6