Page:NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 18; CZECHOSLOVAKIA; ARMED FORCES CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110009-4.pdf/17

 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110009-4

uniform include a field cap of the same material as the uniform, steel helmet, and a pile cap for wear in winter. Summer and winter field uniforms are similar in style and differ only in that the winter version has a warm inner lining.

In winter, all personnel wear a double-breasted belted overcoat, made of a light-weight fabric, that has a warm snap-in lining and detachable for collar. Officers', warrant officers', and enlisted men's overcoats differ primarily in the quality of the material and tailoring.

Branch distinctions as reflected in uniforms apply to three types of organizations. Armored troops wear dark-blue overalls and a black beret; airborne troops wear a gray-green uniform which includes a single-breasted coat with four regular pockets and small, narrow sleeve pockets, and a red beret. Border guards are recognized by a bright-green band on the service cap or by a bright-green garrison cap.

b. Insignia

The ranks of ground and air forces' personnel are indicated by varying numbers and sizes of stars or metallic buttons worn on shoulder loops of the same material as the uniform. General officers display large gold stars; field and company-grade officers smaller gold stars. Warrant officers and senior noncommissioned officers are identified by small silver stars and junior noncommissioned officers by silver buttons. Insignia of rank are illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

Branches of service are indicated by distinctive metallic devices, displayed on the shoulder loops by generals (other than four-star) and on the coat collars by all other ranks. General officers are additionally identified by a metallic ornamentation (lime leaves) worn on the collars of coats and overcoats. In general, insignia of the arms are gold; those of the support troops or services are silver, except for the Medical Service which is gold.

A replica of the national emblem (a rampant lion) is displayed on headgear, belt buckles, and incorporated in the design of various awards and decorations. The cap device worn by officers, warrant officers, and noncommissioned officers down to the rank of sergeant, has a silver emblem on a red background; that worn by corporals and privates is all brass. Air force officers also display a winged aviation emblem with a star above the cap device on the service cap.

B. Ground forces (S)

The 143,000-man ground forces are well-organized, well-trained, and well-equipped. The ground forces could give a good account of themselves, at least in the initial stage of conflict, and could make a significant contribution to the overall Warsaw Pact capabilities. The probable initial wartime mission would be to commit at least eight motorized rifle and tank divisions against NATO forces in Bavaria. The force, consisting of the two existing field armies, probably would be under Soviet front control.

Czechoslovak troops along the Austrian border are a valuable adjunct to the Warsaw Pact military posture, for they serve as an immediate influence on Austrian neutrality. Should Soviet war plans call for violation of this neutrality, an additional strategic mission for Czechoslovak troops could be a diversionary action or flanking movement through Austria aimed at NATO troops in the southern part of West Germany.

1. Organization

The federal Minister of National Defense controls the high command and exercises operational control over the ground forces units through military districts and/or field armies. An airborne brigade, a probable surface-to-surface missile brigade, and engineer and signal units are GHQ elements directly under the Ministry of National Defense.

For the purpose of military administration Czechoslovakia is divided into two military districts: Western Military District, with headquarters in Tabor; and Eastern Military District, with headquarters in Trencin. The role of the district headquarters is to perform administrative and logistical functions and supervise all military activities within their respective territories, including conscription and mobilization. Exact military district boundaries are not known; however, the Western Military District, which contains two field armies, controls and supports the ground forces elements in Bohemia and most of Moravia. The Eastern Military District Headquarters controls ground forces elements located in Slovakia and northern Moravia. Although the Eastern Military District does not contain an active field army headquarters, one could be activated rapidly in wartime.

Organization of Czechoslovak line divisions, i.e., motorized rifle and tank, generally follows that of their Soviet counterparts.

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110009-4