23RD ARMY, SHENYANG MILITARY REGION, CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81T00380R000101120001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 10, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: April 1, 1981
• Content Type: REPORT

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Imagery analysis report
23rd Army, Shenyang Military Region, China
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APRIL 1981
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23RD ARMY, SHENYANG MILITARY REGION, CHINA
This report
discusses the status of the 23rd Army in the Shenyang Military
Region (MR), China as of It describes physical and functional changes to the
facilities in addition to order of battle changes and fluctuations for the period
2. ~ A moderate level of activity was observed throughout the units and installations
of the 23rd Army during the reporting period. One artillery regiment was upgraded with the
augmentation of a second howitzer battalion (replacing a mortar battalion) and the addition of a
multiple rocket launcher unit. A new armor unit has been identified within the 67th Infantry
Division, but the echelon cannot be determined from available photography. Limited construction
activity was observed at four installations within the Army; extensive construction was observed at
two.
3. (U) This report contains two location maps, one chart, three annotated photographs, and
one table.
INTRODUCTION
4. ~ The 23rd Army is one of six main force armies in the Shenyang MR, China and
has the same general organizational structure as the ground forces throughout China-the rule of
three. Each army generally has three infantry divisions with three infantry regiments each. The
divisions are normally sequentially numbered and positioned two forward and one back (in
reserve) in relation to the perceived line of threat. Combat support units such as artillery regiments
are usually sequentially numbered within each army. Individual combat divisions normally are
comprised of three regiments numbered in series. The 23rd Army's three divisions, however, do
not conform to the sequentially numbered rule of three. The 67th and 69th divisions conform but
the 73rd does not.'
5. ~ The 23rd Army (Figure 1) is the northernmost army in the MR and is the first
main force line of defense against an invading Soviet force from the north or east. This army sits
astride the Manchurian Plain in southern Heilongjiang province (Figure 2) along a northwest/
southeast line from Qiqihar (47-20N 123-58E) through Harbin (45-44N 126-37E) to Mudanjiang
(44-34N 129-36E). The army headquarters, its support units, and one division are housed in and
around Harbin. The other two divisions are in the Qiqihar and Mudanjiang areas.'.2
6. In January 1949, the 23rd Army was formed from the 4th Column of the East
China People's Liberation Army. In August 1952, the army entered Korea. Eventually, it took part
in the late March and 17-23 April 1953 fight for Porkchop Hill. The 23rd Army left Korea in April
1958 and deployed to its present location.' At the end of 1977, the commander of the 23rd Army
was Yuan Chun. No information concerning any possible command changes since that date is
currently available.
Units not directly addressed in the text were determined to have remained
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Top Secret R U F (--]
,Ha-mi
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HUPEH
Haia-erh 23rd,JAR~ IY AREA'
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a erh pin
(Harbin)
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0 200 400 Miles
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Demarcation
Line
FIGURE 1. LOCATION OF 23RD ARMY IN SHENYANG MILITARY REGION, CHINA
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Top Secret R U F 25X1
349
?
l1NIo M UNID
BATTALION
n REGIMENT
BRIGADE
I 1 DIVISION
rn CORPS
rI ARMY
FIGURE 2. LOCATIONS OF 23RD ARMY UNITS
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Table 1.
23rd Army Units Derived From All-Source Information
//v triple in in emirrn i, rln"i/ird 117P S/itRI I Rt /I
23rd Army HQ and Support Units
23rd Army Harhin Hq and Army Bks AL
45-46-30N
Headquarters
126-40-IOE
Eng hn
45-28-20N
12',th Arty Regt
127-08-201-
AAA regt Shuangcheng Army
45-23-20N
Bks AL 2
126-17-401-
44-35-36N
Bks AL 2
'129-22-351-
Hailin Bks Area NNW AL I
44-37-52E
129-21-I51
AAA Bn Hailin Hq In 1' Div A
44-35-30N
Bks AL 2
129-22-35E
199th Inf Regt Modaoshi Army Bks E AL I
44-33-23N
129-53-28E
200th [tit' Regt Ningan Army Bks AL I
44-20-20N
129-26-30E
201st nf Regt Yimianpo Army Bks AL 2
45-03-42N
128-06-12E
347th Arty Regt Mudanjiang Army
44-3S-04N
Bks AL I
129-40-12E
69th Inf Div Hq Qiqihar Hq Inf Div Army
47-20-41 N
Bks AL I
123-58-261-
Eng hn
AAA hn
205th nf Regt Qiqihar Army Bks NE AL 3
47-23-13N
124-00-371-
205th Inf Regt Qiqihar Army Bks S AL 5
47-16-30N
123-55-201-;
206th In I' Regi Yushutun Army Bks E AL I
47-09-ION
123-54-051-
207th hit Regt Hulanergi Army Bks AL I
47-16-30N
123-33-40F
349th Arty Regt Qiqihar Army Bks SE AL 2
47-19-25N
124-02-051,
349th Arty Regt Qiqihar Army Bks AL 6
47-19-30N
124-00-421-
349th Arty Regt Qiqihar Army Bks E AL 4
47-19-40N
124-06-401-
274th Tank Regt Sartu Army Bks SW AL I
46-31-51 N
124-53-25I-
73rd Inf Div Hq Harbin Hq Inf Div and
45-40-09N
Bks SE AL 3
126-4 S-0 I E
Boundaries changed
to reflect nea anahsis
No eng equip on record
at this instl
Ness facilities to house
AAA bty, redesignation
ol'suhunits
Ness facilities added
Armor has been introduced
into this area, construction
continues
Regt hq and tao inf hn
3rd In I' Bn of Regt
Inf only , AAA housed at div
hq
Regt hq and arty hn
(pons hoA)
Mort hn replaced by loss
hn and MRI hn Lidded
Proh gun hit
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ARMY
DIVISION
REGIMENT
BATTALION
? INFANTRY
1.1
IQ ANTIAIRCRAFT
ARTILLERY
Im]
18-BM 14/17/19 MRL
18-85/100mm FG
18-85/100mm FG
18-85/100mm FG
12-122mm HOW
12-122mm HOW
12 122mm HOW
12-120/160 MORT
12-122mm HOW
12-120/160m MORT
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18-85/100mm FG
12-122mm HOW
12-122mm HOW
III
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Top Secret RUFF
relatively unchanged from the published National Basic Reference Graphics (NBRG).' All major
combat elements of the Army are presented in Table 1.
8. (S) The information presented in this report has been coordinated with members of the
China Ground Forces Working Group.
BASIC DESCRIPTION
9. ~ The 23rd Army is comprised of the 23rd Army Headquarters and its support
units and the 67th, the 69th, and the 73rd Infantry Divisions. Each army, division, and regiment in
China is slightly different in its structure and assigned equipment. Primarily using referenced
document 5 as a base and photographic intelligence for confirmation, a unit structure was de-
signed for the 64th Army Headquarters and its three subordinate infantry divisions (Chart I and
Table I).
23rd Army Headquarters and Army-Level Support Units
10. The 23rd Army Headquarters and its support units are located in and around
Harbin. The only change observed involving these units during the reporting period occurred at
Harbin Hq and Army Barracks AL-1, the facility housing the Army headquarters. The boundaries
for this facility, depicted in the current NBRG, have been reanalyzed and include all the facilities
having similar building and road patterns enclosed in the designated fenced area (Figure 3).
11. (S/D) The army-level antiaircraft artillery (AAA) regiment is housed at Shuangcheng
Army Barracks AL-2 (Figure 4). Construction in area Al has expanded that area by a third. Area
Al now houses the units from former areas A2 and A4, which are being dismantled. Equipment is
still in former Area A3. The NBRG boundaries of Area Al are now enlarged to incorporate the
new facilities and Area A3 has been redesignated Area A2.
12. 0 The army-level engineer battalion and the 126th Artillery Regiment have been
reportedly' collocated at Yuquan Army Barracks AL-2. Artillery has been regularly observed here,
but no engineer equipment has been identified at this facility. There were no significant physical
changes to this installation during the reporting period.
67th Infantry Division
13. ~ The 67th Infantry Division is located in the Hailin Area. The division headquar-
ters and its subordinate AAA battalion and motor transport unit are collocated at Hailin Head-
quarters Infantry Division and Barracks AL-2. There have been no significant changes to this
installation.
14. (S/D) Hailin Barracks Area NNW AL-1 (Figure 5) reportedly houses the engineer unit
of the division.' This installation has been expanded. Two new areas have been added north of the
facility. Expansion has included the addition of two possible barracks, four storage/support build-
ings, and a building under construction. No engineer equipment has been seen here since F
15. ~ The 199th Infantry Regiment is housed at Madoshi Army Barracks East AL-l.
The sighting of armored vehicles in Area A3 on four occasions since indicates an
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augmentation of armor to this unit. Between eight and 11 armored vehicles have been observed.
There are no vehicle storage buildings present. However, an underground storage area with one
entrance is on the northwest edge of the area. Extensive construction activity has occurred in
Areas A3 and A4, indicating a possible change in function (possibly armor associated). Areas Al
and A2 remain intact.
16. 0 The 200th Infantry Regiment is housed at Ningan Army Barracks AL-1. A
significant amount of construction is adjacent to this installation. The function of this new area
and the possible boundary changes to the existing facility cannot be determined from available
imagery.
69th Infantry Division
17. 0 The 69th Infantry Division is in the Qiqihar Area. The division headquarters
and its subordinate AAA and engineer battalions are collocated at Qiqihar Headquarters Infantry
Division Army Barracks AL-l. The AAA battalion was previously reported at Yushutun Army
Bks East AL-1,4 but there is no history of AAA equipment as that installation.
18. 0 The 206th Infantry Regiment is housed at Yushutun Army Barracks East AL-1.
The AAA battalion reported4 in Area BI (which is adjacent to the south edge of Area A2) is not
present (See para 17 above), and the area is considered to be an integral part of Area A2. No AAA
equipment has been observed at this installation since There has been no physical
change to this installation.
19. 0 The 349th Artillery Regiment is housed at Qiqihar Army Barracks Southeast
AL-2, Qiqihar Army Barracks AL-6, and Qiqihar Army Barracks East AL-4, respectively. The
mortar battalion reported at Qiqihar Army Barracks AL-6 has not been seen since
It apparently has been replaced by a battalion of howitzers. A multiple rocket launcher
battalion has also been added. No significant major physical changes have occurred at any of the
three installations housing the 349th.
20. The 274th Tank Regiment is housed at Sartu Army Barracks Southwest AL-1.
Minor physical changes at this location include the addition of armored vehicle storage buildings
within the confines of the installation.
73rd Infantry Division
21. 0 The 73d Infantry Division is in the Harbin Area. The division headquarters, its
subordinate AAA and engineer battalions, the 217th Infantry Regiment, the 219th Infantry Regi-
ment, and the 353rd Artillery Regiment are collocated at Harbin Headquarters Infantry Division
and Barracks Southeast AL-3. Within this facility, additional buildings have been constructed in
Area A l and the AAA battalion has been relocated from Area C l to Area Al. No other changes
have been observed at this installation.
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(TSR) All applicable KEYHOLE imagery acquired through was used in the prepara-
DMAAC. Operational Navigation Charts; Series ONC; Sheet F9, 4th ed, 7 Nov 79; 1:1,000,000 (UN-
CLASSIFIED)
DMAAC. USATC: Series 200; Sheets 0283-1, 0283-6, 0283-7, 0283-13, 0283-18, 0283-19, 0283-24, 0283-
25; scale 1:200,000 (UNCLASSIFIED)
1. NSA. 3/00/34905-74 (CCM), The Chinese People's Liberation Artn,v: Ground Forces, 20 Dec 74,
Change 10-15 Jul 77 (TOP SECRET
2. DIA. DDB-I100-0201-79-SE, Combined Order of Battle (GOB) China (CH), Aug 79 (TOP SECRET/-
3. NSA. Militarv Unit Cover Designator List, Feb 80 (TOP SECRET
4. CIA/OIA 23rd Artni, Shen-yang Militarl? Region, I I Mar 77 (TOP SECRETT
5. DIA. DDB-1100-209-79, Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE) People ',s Republic of China
Arnie (PRCA), Sep 79 (SECRET)
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed
Asian Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
Top Secret /AR-0354/411
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