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June 18, 1953

Report from A. Grechko and Tarasov to N.A. Bulganin, 8:00 a.m

THE OPERATIONS DIVISION,
THE MAIN OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATION
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET ARMY



Top Secret (Declassified)
Copy #6

To Comrade BULGANIN, N.A.


I am reporting the situation on the territory of the German Democratic Republic and in the city of Berlin by 8.00 a.m. on 18 June 1953, Moscow time.


1. There have been no disorders observed on the territory of the German Democratic Republic and in the city of Berlin during the night of June 18. Some groups of Germans started gathering in Gorlitz, where they were dispersed by the [Soviet] troops. There is information that the rebels might try to turn the funeral of a German killed there into an anti-government rally in Veida, which is 12 km to the south of Gera. A tank-training battalion of the 20th Guards mechanized division has been sent to Veida.


2. The units of the Group of the Soviet Occupation Forces in Germany during the night of June 18 have moved from their field camps to the [assigned] areas in accordance with the decision made on June 17. They also have continued to perform their duties along the zonal borders, as well as patrol in the cities and towns of the German Democratic Republic.
By 6.00 a.m. on June 18, the forces have been concentrated in the following areas.


The 3rd Army: the 19th Guards mechanized division in Magdeburg; the 18th mechanized division in Parchim, Ludwigslust, Pirleberg; the 136th artillery-technical and tank & self-propelled gun regiment in the field camp Born [at Burg]; the 207th infantry division in Gardelegen and Stendal.


The 8th Guards Army: the 20th Guards mechanized division in Weimar, Jena, Zeitz; the 21st Guards mechanized division in Halle and Merseburg; the 57th Guards infantry division in Naumburg, Weissenfels, and Eisenach; the 39th Guards infantry division in Ordruff, Plauen, and Saalfeld.


The 1st Guards Mechanized Army: the 11th Guards tank division, except the 44th tank regiment and the 45th tank regiment and a tank-training battalion, in Dresden; the 44th tank regiment and a tank-training battalion in Ko6nigsbruck; the 45th tank regiment in Meissen; the 9th tank division in Piesa, Oschatz, Zeithavn; the 19th mechanized regiment and the 1st tank regiment of the 8th Guards mechanized division in Glatzhau and Schonau, and the 20th mechanized regiment and the 21st mechanized regiment of the 8th Guards mechanized division in the vicinity of Meissen.
The 2nd Guards Mechanized Army: the 12th Guards tank division in the north-east area of Berlin; the 1st Guards mechanized division in the west and south-west areas of the city; the 14th Guards mechanized division in the central and south-east areas of the city; the 9th Guards tank division in Neustrelitz; the 31st anti-aircraft artillery division in Schonwalde; the 172th separate light artillery brigade in camp Schepek.
The 3rd Guards Mechanized Army: the 9th mechanized division in Lubben, Cottbus, and Spremberg; the 6th Guards tank division in Oschnitz, Wittenberg, Alteslager, Dessau; the 7th Guards tank division, except the 23rd mechanized infantry regiment, in the field camp Magdeburg; its 23rd mechanized infantry regiment and the 41st tank-training battalion in Roslau.
The 4th Guards Mechanized Army: the 10th tank division in Kolbitz, Brandenburg, and Krampnitz; the 6th Guards mechanized division in Eberswalde and Bad Freienwalde; the 25th tank division, except the 20th mechanized infantry regiment and the 111th tank regiment, in the field camp Templin; its 20th mechanized infantry regiment and the 111th tank regiment in Oranienburg, Kremen, Felten, and Birkenwerder; the 7th Guards mechanized division in Forstenwalde and Frankfurt a.d. Oder.
3. Altogether, 209 people were killed and wounded, and 3,351 people were detained on the territory of the German Democratic Republic. Of these, 90 people were wounded and 2,414 were detained in Berlin.
There have been no losses to the units of the Group [of the Soviet Occupation Forces in Germany].
GRECHKO TARASOV
Correct. General of the Army SHTEMENKO
18 June 1953, 11:00 a.m. [...]

Soviet General, Tarasov, reports on the situation in the GDR and in the city of Berlin on the morning of 18 June, 1953. He primarily discusses the location and movements of sectors of the Soviet Occupation Forces in Germany.


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AGSh, f. 16, op. 3139, d. 155, ll. 15-16. Provided and translated by Viktor Gobarev

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2011-11-20

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