DISCLOSURE / FILE
US Air Attache report IR 193-55 logs the 4 October 1955 eyewitness account by Senator Richard Russell, Lt. Col. E.U. Hathaway, and Ruben Efron of two disc-shaped aircraft ascending vertically from the Trans-Caucasus region of the USSR.
341_110677_Numerical_File,_5-2500
US Air Attache report IR 193-55 logs the 4 October 1955 eyewitness account by Senator Richard Russell, Lt. Col. E.U. Hathaway, and Ruben Efron of two disc-shaped aircraft ascending vertically from the Trans-Caucasus region of the USSR.
On 4 October 1955 at 1910 hours, Senator Richard Russell, Lt. Col. E.U. Hathaway, and Senate Armed Forces Committee consultant Ruben Efron, traveling by rail between Atjaty and Adzhljabul ten minutes after departing Atjaty, observed two circular unconventional aircraft take off almost vertically one minute apart, ascend with outer surfaces revolving clockwise to about 6000 feet, then accelerate sharply to the north. Lt. Col. Thomas S. Ryan, US Air Attache in Prague, filed report IR 193-55 on 14 October 1955 after debriefing the witnesses at the US Army Attache's office on 13 October, rating the information B-2. Two operating searchlights were seen pointing nearly vertically near the takeoff area 1-2 miles south of the rail line, and Soviet trainmen closed curtains and refused to let the Americans look out the windows. Ryan's USAIRA comment states the report's significance to USAF Project Unidentified Flying Objects "is remarkable and lends credence to many 'saucer' reports."
This report contains an eye witness account of the ascent and flight of an unconventional aircraft in the Trans Caucasus region of the USSR. This aircraft was reported by three highly reliable United States observers who were travelling by rail at the time of the sighting. The three observers were firmly convinced that they saw a genuine flying saucer or flying disc.p.2
USAIRA COMMENT: The significance of this report re the USAF project "Unidentified Flying Objects" is remarkable and lends credence to many "saucer" reports.p.2
US OBSERVERS FIRMLY BELIEVE THESE UNCONVENTIONAL AIRCRAFT WERE GENUINE SAUCER OR DISC AIRCRAFT. USAIRA RATES INFO B-2.p.3
AFTER SIGHTING SOVIET TRAINMEN BECAME EXCITED AND LOWERED CURTAINS AND REFUSED PERMISSION TO LOOK OUT WINDOWS.p.3
Hathaway led off with "I doubt if you're going to believe this but we all saw it. Sen. Russell was the first to see this flying saucer and he called us to the window, and we both saw the second onep.4
"The whole object whirled and then levelled and zoomed off at very high speed."p.4
"After we saw the two discs, the Soviet trainmen became excited, closing curtains and telling us that we were not allowed to look out of windows."p.4
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No.1 MAS. 02. of 2 MASTERS [REDACTED] SECRET CLASSIFICATION (NOFORN) 5-2500 T.S. Cont.# [REDACTED] USA COUNTRY OF ACTIVITY REPORTING CZECHOSLOVAKIA REPORT NO. IR 193-55 (Leave blank) T.S. Cont. No.: [REDACTED] AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT COUNTRY OR AREA REPORT CONCERNS USSR DATE OF INFORMATION 4 OCT. 55 ACTIVITY SUBMITTING REPORT US AIR ATTACHE DATE OF COLLECTION 13 OCT. 55 SRI STATUS (if applicable) SR) NO.: TIC 6244 CANCELED/COMPLETE PREPARING INDIVIDUAL LT. COL. THOMAS S. RYAN DATE OF REPORT 14 OCT. 55 SRI NO.: CANCELED/INCOMPLETE NAME OR DESCRIPTION OF SOURCE LT. COL. E.U. HATHAWAY EVALUATION B- 2 SRI NO.: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON (Date): ACTIVE REFERENCES (BAIR Subject, previous reports, etc., as applicable) BAIR 3A; 2T2; 3A3; 13A13; 3A15. USAIRA CABLE (TS) C-103 dtd 13 OCT. 55 SUBJECT (Descriptive title. Use individual reports for separate subjects) OBSERVATIONS OF TRAVELLER IN USSR SUMMARY (Give summary which highlights the salient factors of narrative report. Begin narrative text on AF Form 112a unless report can be fully stated on AF Form 112. List inclosures, including number of copies.) This report contains an eye witness account of the ascent and flight of an unconventional aircraft in the Trans Caucasus region of the USSR. This aircraft was reported by three highly reliable United States observers who were travelling by rail at the time of the sighting. The three observers were firmly convinced that they saw a genuine flying saucer or flying disc. Two sightings occurred at 1910 hours on 4 Oct. 55 between ATJATY and ADZHLJABUL, ten minutes by rail after departing ATJATY. One disc aircraft ascended almost vertically, at a relatively slow speed with its outer surface revolving slowly to the right, to an altitude of about 6000 feet where its speed then increased sharply as it headed north. The second flying disc was seen performing the same actions about one minute later. The take-off area was about 1-2 miles south of the rail line where two searchlight 0 INCLS beams were seen pointing up almost vertically. All other observations given to USAIRA in Prague by the three visitors, 12-13 Oct 55, are presented in Part II. USAIRA COMMENT: The significance of this report re the USAF project "Unidentified Flying Objects" is remarkable and lends credence to many "saucer" reports. Thomas S. Ryan THOMAS S. RYAN, LT. COL. AIR ATTACHE DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR (Except USAF and file. Indicate Dist M/or and copies w/o inclosures, if applicable) 1 -USAF 1 -USAFE This document consists of 9 pages 1 -USAIRA MOSCOW Copy No. ___ of [REDACTED] Copies WARNING: This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C., Section 793 and 794. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. Classification canceled or changed t AF FORM 15 SEP 54 112 REPLACES AT FORM 112. 1 OCT 52. WHICH MAY BE USED [REDACTED] SECRET CLASSIFICATION Air Force-USAFE, Wdso. Ger 19-1451- [REDACTED] SECRET By aut[hority] C/S Oct [REDACTED] fr CIN-2X1, s/Lueke. CLASSIFICATION By2: Date: 30 April 1959 NW 91377 DocID:34749008 Page 2
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No.1 MASTER 02. of 2 MASTERS [REDACTED] SECRET (NOFORN) CLASSIFICATION (SECURITY INFORMATION when filled in) SUPPLEMENT TO AF FORM 112 ORIGINATING AGENCY USAIRA REPORT NO. IR 193-55 PAGE 9 OF 9 PAGES DIAGRAM OF RR GUAGE SWITCHING OPERATION AT COP 12 OCT 1955 [DIAGRAM WITH FOLLOWING HANDWRITTEN LABELS:] BUILDING OUTLINE WITH SIDING INSIDE FLOOR TRAP DOOR RUSSIAN BROAD GUAGE TRACK USSR + COP → RED STAR OVER TRACK (PROBABLE OFFICIAL BORDER MARKER) ← CZECHOSLOVAKIA PIT UNDER TRACKS CZECH STANDARD GUAGE TRACK CZECH RR TRUCKS ARE PUSHED TO RUSSIAN TRUCKS, BANGING THEM IN DIRECTION OF USSR RUSSIAN GUAGE TRUCK RR SLEEPER CAR MARKED ON SIDE "MOSCOW - PRAGUE" FLOOR TRAP DOOR IN CONDUCTOR'S COMPARTMENT WHERE TRUCK DISCONNECT BAR IS LOCATED RUSSIAN GUAGE TRUCK WARNING: This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 793 and 794. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by other than United States Air Force Agencies, except by permission of the Director of Intelligence, USAF. AF FORM 1 OCT 52 112a REPLACES AF FORM 112-PART II, 1 JUN 48, WHICH MAY BE USED. CLASSIFICATION (SECURITY INFORMATION when filled in) U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-66470-1 NW 91377 DocID:34749008 Page 10
Concatenated page-by-page transcript. Born-digital pages came through pdf.js; scanned pages were transcribed by Claude vision OCR. Pages marked unreadable failed multiple OCR retries (heavy redaction, microfilm artifacts, or blank separators) and are kept in place for audit.
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No.1 MAS. 02. of 2 MASTERS [REDACTED] SECRET CLASSIFICATION (NOFORN) 5-2500 T.S. Cont.# [REDACTED] USA COUNTRY OF ACTIVITY REPORTING CZECHOSLOVAKIA REPORT NO. IR 193-55 (Leave blank) T.S. Cont. No.: [REDACTED] AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT COUNTRY OR AREA REPORT CONCERNS USSR DATE OF INFORMATION 4 OCT. 55 ACTIVITY SUBMITTING REPORT US AIR ATTACHE DATE OF COLLECTION 13 OCT. 55 SRI STATUS (if applicable) SR) NO.: TIC 6244 CANCELED/COMPLETE PREPARING INDIVIDUAL LT. COL. THOMAS S. RYAN DATE OF REPORT 14 OCT. 55 SRI NO.: CANCELED/INCOMPLETE NAME OR DESCRIPTION OF SOURCE LT. COL. E.U. HATHAWAY EVALUATION B- 2 SRI NO.: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON (Date): ACTIVE REFERENCES (BAIR Subject, previous reports, etc., as applicable) BAIR 3A; 2T2; 3A3; 13A13; 3A15. USAIRA CABLE (TS) C-103 dtd 13 OCT. 55 SUBJECT (Descriptive title. Use individual reports for separate subjects) OBSERVATIONS OF TRAVELLER IN USSR SUMMARY (Give summary which highlights the salient factors of narrative report. Begin narrative text on AF Form 112a unless report can be fully stated on AF Form 112. List inclosures, including number of copies.) This report contains an eye witness account of the ascent and flight of an unconventional aircraft in the Trans Caucasus region of the USSR. This aircraft was reported by three highly reliable United States observers who were travelling by rail at the time of the sighting. The three observers were firmly convinced that they saw a genuine flying saucer or flying disc. Two sightings occurred at 1910 hours on 4 Oct. 55 between ATJATY and ADZHLJABUL, ten minutes by rail after departing ATJATY. One disc aircraft ascended almost vertically, at a relatively slow speed with its outer surface revolving slowly to the right, to an altitude of about 6000 feet where its speed then increased sharply as it headed north. The second flying disc was seen performing the same actions about one minute later. The take-off area was about 1-2 miles south of the rail line where two searchlight 0 INCLS beams were seen pointing up almost vertically. All other observations given to USAIRA in Prague by the three visitors, 12-13 Oct 55, are presented in Part II. USAIRA COMMENT: The significance of this report re the USAF project "Unidentified Flying Objects" is remarkable and lends credence to many "saucer" reports. Thomas S. Ryan THOMAS S. RYAN, LT. COL. AIR ATTACHE DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR (Except USAF and file. Indicate Dist M/or and copies w/o inclosures, if applicable) 1 -USAF 1 -USAFE This document consists of 9 pages 1 -USAIRA MOSCOW Copy No. ___ of [REDACTED] Copies WARNING: This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C., Section 793 and 794. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. Classification canceled or changed t AF FORM 15 SEP 54 112 REPLACES AT FORM 112. 1 OCT 52. WHICH MAY BE USED [REDACTED] SECRET CLASSIFICATION Air Force-USAFE, Wdso. Ger 19-1451- [REDACTED] SECRET By aut[hority] C/S Oct [REDACTED] fr CIN-2X1, s/Lueke. CLASSIFICATION By2: Date: 30 April 1959 NW 91377 DocID:34749008 Page 2
No.1 MAS. 02. of 2 MASTERS [REDACTED] SECRET (NOFORN) CLASSIFICATION (SECURITY INFORMATION when filled in) SUPPLEMENT TO AF FORM 112 ORIGINATING AGENCY US AIR ATTACHE REPORT NO. IR 193-55 PAGE 2 OF 9 PAGES QUOTED below is the cable classified Top Secret which was sent to Hqs. USAF on 13 Oct 55. USAIRA control number is C-103 and text follows: " NIACT. TO: DINTA, WASH. DC. NOFORN. USAF handle as OPERATIONAL IMMEDIATE. USAF CRYPTO PASS TO CINCUSAFE AND USAIRA MOSCOW. THREE RELIABLE US OBSERVERS, SENATOR RICHARD RUSSELL, LT. COL. E.U. HATHAWAY, ARMY, MR. RUBEN EFRON, VISITED PRAGUE 12-13 OCT. ARRIVING DIRECT FROM KIEV, VIA BAKU, TIFLIS, DNIEPERPETROVSK, BLACK SEA AREA, AND REPORTED FOLLOWING TO USAIRA AND USARMA.: ON 4 OCT. 55 AT 1910 HOURS BETWEEN ATJATY AND ADZHLJABUL, TEN MINUTES BY RAIL AFTER DEPARTING ATJATY IN TRANS CAUCASUS REGION, TWO ROUND AND CIRCULAR UNCONVENTIONAL AIRCRAFT RESEMBLING FLYING DISCS OR FLYING SAUCERS WERE SEEN TAKING OFF ALMOST VERTICALLY ONE MINUTE APART. DISC AIRCRAFT ASCENDED NEAR DUSK WITH OUTER SURFACE REVOLVING SLOWLY TO RIGHT AND WITH TWO LIGHTS STATIONARY ON TOP NEAR MIDDLE PART. SPARKS OR FLAME SEEN COMING FROM AIRCRAFT. NO PROTRUSIONS SEEN ON AIRCRAFT WHICH PASSED OVER OBSERVERS'TRAIN. BOTH FLYING DISC AIRCRAFT ASCENDED RELATIVELY SLOWLY TO ABOUT 6000 FEET, THEN SPEED INCREASED SHARPLY IN HORIZONTAL FLIGHT BOTH ON NORTHERLY HEADING. FLYING ATTITUDE OF DISC REMAINED SAME DURING ASCENT AS IN CRUISE, LIKE A DISCUS IN FLIGHT. TWO OPERATING SEARCHLIGHTS POINTING ALMOST VERTICAL SEEN NEAR TAKEOFF AREA LOCATED ABOUT 1-2 MILES SOUTH OF RR LINE. AFTER SIGHTING SOVIET TRAINMEN BECAME EXCITED AND LOWERED CURTAINS AND REFUSED PERMISSION TO LOOK OUT WINDOWS. US OBSERVERS FIRMLY BELIEVE THESE UNCONVENTIONAL AIRCRAFT WERE GENUINE SAUCER OR DISC AIRCRAFT. USAIRA RATES INFO B-2. ON 9 OCT.55 AT DNIEPERPETROVSK AIRFIELD, HATHAWAY REPORTED 42 STUBBY JET FIGHTERS NOT FAGOTS AND ONE MULTI JET BOMBER DESCRIBED AS: ONE HALF AGAIN AS LONG AS US COCOA 47; ENGINES CANVAS COVERED BURIED WING TYPE; CANOPY WELL FORWARD NEAR BLUNT NOSE; TRICYCLE GEAR; DEFINITE SWAYBACK SHAPE ON TOP OF FUSELAGE; SEVERELY SWEPT WINGS SET IN MIDDLE OF FUSELAGE AND LOCATED ALMOST MIDWAY FROM NOSE TO TAIL; TAILPLANE LOCATED LOW BENEATH BOTTOM LEVEL OF VERTICAL FIN; VERTICAL FIN SWEPT WITH SQUARE TOP; AND SILVER BULBOUS BULGE AT TAILCONE EXTENDING REARWARD OF RUDDER LINE. DNIEPERPETROVSK AIRFIELD WAS GRASS SOD. AT BAKU LONG TRAIN LOADED WITH MANY PLATOON SIZE LANDING CRAFT. 42 KILOMETERS FROM MOSCOW ON MOSCOW TO MINSK HIGHWAY, 250 YARDS TO RIGHT OF ROAD, PARTY SIGHTED RADAR SITE TENTATIVELY IDENTIFIED HERE AS ONE WOODGAGE OR GAGE AND ONE SQUARE POLE FREYA. RECOMMEND COMPLETE DEBRIEFING OF RUSSELL GROUP UPON RETURN AND SUGGEST COMMENDATION FROM D/I FOR EFFORTS. RUSSELL GROUP DEPARTED PRAGUE ABOARD SWAISSAIR FOR ROME 13 OCT. (Signed) T.S.RYAN." On 12 Oct. 1955 at about 2145 hours, Sen. Russell, Lt. Col. E.U. Hathaway, U.S. Army staff officer assigned to Senate Armed Forces Committee, and Mr. Ruben Efron, Committee Consultant, arrived at Wilson (Hlavni) Station in Prague, having come direct from Kiev. Their rail route from Kiev brought them to COP, at the eastern border of Czechoslovakia, where they observed the RR gauge switching operation from the Russian broad gauge to the Czech standard guage. Upon arrival at the RR Wilson Station, the Russell group was met by the acting Chief of Mission, Mr. Harold Vedler, and the USAIRA. We escorted the group to the US Residency where they were to spend the night. It was evident that they had seen much and had been to places in Russia and possibly in Czechoslovakia where US observers had not been, at least for a Good many years. Sen. Russell stated that he had been in Prague once before in 1927, and was anxious to see some familiar places. After arrival at the Residency and dinner, Lt. Col. Hathaway expressed a desire to report something of the utmost importance to the USAIRA, "something you may not believe, but something that we've been told by your people (USAF) doesn't exist." I suggested that we not discuss anything at the Residency WARNING: This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 793 and 794. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by other than United States Air Force Agencies, except by permission of the Director of Intelligence, USAF. AF FORM 1 OCT 52 112a REPLACES AF FORM 112-PART II, 1 JUN 48, WHICH MAY BE USED. CLASSIFICATION [REDACTED] SECRET (SECURITY INFORMATION when filled in) U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-66470-1 NW 91377 DocID:34749008 Page 3
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because of the absence of security precautions but suggested that we meet
early the next morning in my office together with Col. Thomas Dooley, the US[ARA]
Army Attache. Lt. Col. Hathaway said he was anxious to report his observation
and that he had witnesses, fortunately, in Sen. Russell and Mr. Efron.
We met at 0900 on 13 Oct. in the larger office of the Army Attache
and proceeded with the debriefing amid adequate safeguards for talking.
Present were: Lt. Col. Hathaway, Mr. Efron, Col. Dooley and myself. Col.
Dooley and I took notes and provided paper for sketches. Sen. Russell was
busy with the Chief of Mission and was unable to attend. Due to the
departure time of the group, we were unable to spend more than one hour
talking, the interview ending about 1000. Col. Hathaway did most of the
explaining and answering with Mr. Efron supplementing and adding support.
Lt Col.Hathaway proved to be an excellent observer and Mr. Efron
had kept detailed notes which he referred to for times and places.
Hathaway led off with "I doubt if you're going to believe this
but we all saw it. Sen. Russell was the first to see this flying saucer
and he called us to the window, and we both saw the second one (pointing to
EFRON who nodded yes). We've been told for years that there isn't such a
thing but all of us saw it, including Sen Russell. " It was emphasized
that Sen. Russell saw the first flying saucer or flying disc ascend and
pass over the train on a northerly course, taking off from the left side
of the train's direction, which places the take-off area on the south side
of the RR line on which they were travelling.
I stated that I don't disbelieve anything after having been in
Czechoslovakia for 17 months. The following raw notes are quoted with
my additional comments after:
1. "Two flying saucer type aircraft were seen between two railway
station stops after we left BAKU."
2. "It was after we left ATJATY, we were there at 1900 and we saw the
aircraft at 1910. The next place we saw was ADZHLJABUL."(Efrons notes.)
3. "They took off straight up and then the speed increased greatly
as they moved straight ahead, horizontally, and disappeared to the right of
the train." (Questioning revealed that the angle of ascent was not exactly
"straight up" but rather in a slight arc just off the vertical line.)
4. "The whole object whirled and then levelled and zoomed off at very
high speed." (Questioning revealed that the outer surface of the object
revolved slowly in a clockwise direction or to the right, with the rate of
ascent being relatively slow in comparison to the high speed which the
object took on at when it reached altitude.)
5. " The take off was at an angle to about 2000 meters." (Both objects
were said to have ascended almost vertically to an approximate altitude
of 6000 feet before sharply increasing speed in level flight.)
6. "They were seen out of window on left side of train."
7. " Two searchlight were seen pointing at an angle near where the
saucer took off." (The angle was nearly vertical and evidently, I gathered,
that the angle of one searchlight beam was nearly vertical approximating
the arc which the disc ascended to 6000 feet, while the second searchlight
beam was pointing at another spot. Lack of time prevented complete
clarification of the searchlight beams. Dusk was falling at the time of
sighting.)
8. "Some sparking or flame came out bottom as craft rose."
9. "After we saw the two discs, the Soviet trainmen became excited,
closing curtains and telling us that we were not allowed to look out of
windows." (The behavior of the trainmen was such as to indicate that the US
passengers had seen something that they were not supposed to see.)
10. "Approximately one minute elapsed between the first and second
takeoffs of the aircraft." (It was explained that Sen Russell had seen the
WARNING: This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 793 and 794. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by other than United States Air Force Agencies, except by permission of the Director of Intelligence, USAF.
AF FORM 1 OCT 52 112a REPLACES AF FORM 112-PART II, 1 JUN 48, WHICH MAY BE USED. CLASSIFICATION [REDACTED] SECRET (SECURITY INFORMATION when filled in)
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first flying object and recognized it as something drastically different
rushing in to get Mr. Efron and Col. Hathaway to see it. Col. Hathaway
stated that he got to the window with the Senator in time to see the first
while Mr. Efron said he got only a short glimpse of the first due to
crowding. However all three saw the second disc and all agreed that they
saw the same round, disc shaped aircraft which was the same as the first.)
11. "The take-off area was about one mile away, maybe a little
further." (Searchlights were located in the same area.)
12. "There were two lights towards the inside of the disc which
remained stationary as the outer surface went around. " (Both agreed
firmly on this point.#) "The lights sat near the top of the disc." (If
a line representing the diameter of the disc were divided into three
segments, the lights would have been located at the two points
of division between the middle segment and the two outside segments i.e.
see sketch drawn with aid of Mr Efron:
[SKETCH: Arrow pointing left, arrow pointing right, labeled RELATIVE POSITION OF 2 LIGHTS, with disc shape below]
13. "The aircraft was circular." "The aircraft was round." "It
resembled a flying saucer." "It seemed to be the shape of a discus,
round and circular- revolving clockwise or to the right." (It was
definitely round or at least circular in the eyes of these two observers,
containing no protrusions or "sticks" or bulges. No estimate could be
obtained from either observer re thickness or diameter.
14. " There was no noticeable color!" (It was stated that dusk
prevented any color impressions.)
15. "After reaching 2000 meters, it whipped off at a great speed
from our left to our right, or towards the north from the south." (Speed
differential was very noticeable between ascent and level flight speed.)
16. "We could see the take-off on the horizon to our left or south
of our train."
17. "Outer part revolved slowly to right." (There seemed to be a
different impression of the disc's movement while climbing and after
assuming level flight, with the terms"revolving slowly" used for the
climb and the term "whirring" for the cruising flight.
18. #"The disc rose in the same position as it was in when it sped
away." The flying attitude of the flying disc was said to resemble a
discus in flight.)
USAIRA COMMENT: I believe that further debriefing of all three
US observers in a more relaxed atmosphere and with more time would
produce much more valuable technical details than the hurried interview
above.
PART B. OBSERVATIONS AT BAKU
A long RR train comprised of flat cars was seen outside of BAKU.
Each flatcar had one landing craft which was described by Col. Hathaway
as being platoon size, with a slot in the rear for an outboard engine
and the tops of the boats covered with canvas. Men were seen in the
vicinity wearing a unique uniform which he could not recognise.
One jet aircraft was seen flying high over Baku, too high for
any type of identification. The party landed at Baku by aircraft, the
civilian airfield being located an hour from the city. A military airfield
WARNING: This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 793 and 794. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by other than United States Air Force Agencies, except by permission of the Director of Intelligence, USAF.
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was passed on the outskirts of Baku on the way from the commercial field.
The Intourist guide stated that this was a military training airfield and
Col. Hathaway recognized some dark green transports parked there.
PART C. OBSERVATIONS AT DNIEPERPETROVSK AIRFIELD
The three US observers arrived at Dnieperpetrovsk airfield
sometime on 9 Oct. 55 by DC-3 type aircraft. The airfield is grass-sod.
The parking ramp is of octagonal brick or cement (see sketch of jet bomber
and ramp brick design on page 8 ). One jet bomber was parked at the airfield
( see description in text of cable and see profile sketch on page 8).
Col. Hathaway counted 42 very stubby jet fighters parked at the
field. The jet fighters were described as "short, stubby, smaller and
higher horizontal tailplane, wings more forward, canopy more forward."
At the time of the description I was having Col. Hathaway compare the
fighter he saw with a scale model of a FAGOT. He definitely did not think
they were Fagots because of the fuselage being more stubby. (Sort of rules
out Frescos of which I could use a model as I don't have any.) This is my
reason for citing SRI TIC 6244, as the composite configuration concludes
that the SRI fighter is one third smaller than the MIG-15. I did not have
time to show the composite drawing to the observer but the possibility
exists that his sighting was of the SRI composite type. Further debriefing
should bring out more details.
PART D. OBSERVATIONS NEAR MOSCOW
The three observers were escorted to a place which Senator Russell
had requested to see outside Moscow. On the way, exactly at the 42 kilometer
signpost from Moscow on the Moscow to Minsk highway, on the right side
of the road, there was a radar site (size unknown) with two radars. From
the sketches of Col. Hathaway, they have been tentatively identified as
one Woodgage or Gage and one square type [REDACTED] Freya. (See sketch below):
(Approx. 200-250 yards off side of road.) POLE
[THREE SKETCHES OF RADAR EQUIPMENT]
PART E. OBSERVATIONS FROM TIFLIS TO SOCI.
AT TIFLIS about the 5th of Oct. 55, Col. Hathaway sighted a
large helecopter resembling a banana with two large, main rotors at each
end and having many more windows than a banana type which he had seen in
the USA.
Between TIFLIS AND SOCI, on the Black Sea, while travelling by
train, one of the most significant coincidences occurred, taking into
account the observations which were reported in the ATJATY region. Sen.
Russell's party made contact with a Russian who was about 55 years, named
EGOROV. He was accompanied by a younger engineer who job was to keep
EGOROV supplied with spirits. EGOROV was feeling pretty good when he met
WARNING: This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 793 and 794. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by other than United States Air Force Agencies, except by permission of the Director of Intelligence, USAF.
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the Americans and proceeded to continue the party with them. The history
of EGOROV, according to Mr Efron, is that Egorov was one of the original
pilots who made the trans-polar Russian flight to Washington State in
1935 or 36. He told the party that he is now retired. He is a Hero of
the Soviet Union and speaks fairly freely about the internal situation in
the USSR. Sen. Russell extended an invitation for him to visit his office
if he ever comes to the USA. USAIRA COMMENT: It is difficult for me to
believe that this experienced pilot in polar navigation would be retired
and doing nothing but travelling around the Trans Caucasus region with a
young engineer.
Egorov stated that during World War II he had shot down 17 German
aircraft.
Col Hathaway observed, about 20 minutes outside of SOCI, a T-34
tank that had a muzzle brake on the gun, but looked very different from
any he had seen during a combat tour in Korea. The tank was on a flatcar.
PART F. OBSERVATIONS AT COP AND ABOUT CZECH RAILROADS
The Russell group arrived at COP, the RR border crossing point
between USSR and Czechoslovakia, early on the morning of 12 Oct. 55.
About 1-2 hours later at 0630, they left COP and were on their way to
Prague where they arrived at 0947 (on time) p.m. (2147 hours).
Upon arrival at COP, the train was broken up. One car was
marked MOSCOW-BUCHAREST and was disconnected. Another car was marked
MOSCOW-PRAGUE, the group's car, sleeper, and was disconnected and taken
on a spur under a red star suspended on a border arch (probably marking
border of Czechoslovakia) into a long building on the Czech side. This
building was lighted and its length was such as to accomodate the car
and two replacement trucks. The trucks for the new Czech RR guage were of
the two axel type. The switching of trucks consumed 40-45 minutes for
their sleeper car. There was an electric switch box or panel control on
one side of the building. The passengers had to debark during the changing
of the trucks. All other train cars were marked MOSCOW-COP.
The switching building had a pit in the middle which the car
straddled. Inside the sleeper there were two large square traps in the
cars floor, one at either end. The first step was for the crew to open
these doors and turn a large bar, which evidently released the truck from
the body of the car. The second step was to apply large jacks at four
points of the car on the outside, about at the position of the trucks,
two jacks on a side. When the car was sufficiently jacked, the Czech
guage trucks, which on the tracks forward of the car [REDACTED] on
were
the standard guage tracks of the Czech RR which were laid inside the
Russian guage tracks, were pushed forward towards the sleeper. The Czech
trucks banged the first Russian trucks out of place, continuing to the
second Russian trucks and banging them out of place. The jacked car was
then ready to have the Czech trucks fastened. The jacks were lowered,
letting the car down to the new standard guage trucks below. The crew
then turned the bars through the floor openings locking the new trucks
in place and the passengers were informed that they could board the car.
(See sketch for USAIRA-Hathaway version of this [REDACTED] ration.)
The train departed COP at 0630, ar[rived] at the first little
Czech town ten minutes later, where on the rig[ht] [s]ide of the RR, a "big
WARNING: This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 793 and 794. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by other than United States Air Force Agencies, except by permission of the Director of Intelligence, USAF.
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factory was on the right" which was thought to be producing long, aluminum
RR cars. Aluminum RR cars were seen on the siding and the observer
believed that these were the plants product.
Proceeding through the area on the Czech side of the border after
leaving COP, Col. Hathaway observed very large RR marshaling yards with
tracks stretching as far as he could see on both sides of his track.
Guard towers were manned and located in the huge RR yards. There were
5 tracks at the border branching into many in the yards. As he went
through the yards he observed that on his left side were loaded or full
freight cars, while on his right were all the empty freight cars, "as far
as could be seen."
The RR route which the party travelled from COP was through
KOSICE- POPRAD- ZELINA. The observer stated that electrification began
at a little town shortly after the first little town which was reached
ten minutes after COP. From Cop to Kosice, Hathaway believed that there
were two tracks and possibly three.
From Kosice on Hathaway stated that construction was going on
through the mountains, the construction crews using a prefabricated
technique. Piled up alongside of the right of way were prefabricated
track sections with "rails already hooked to sleepers." Little buildings
were spotted along the right of way where this prefabrication was taking
place. Cable reels and stacks of metal towers were seen, the towers
being rusty. He believed that electrification was nearly completed all
the way although his train was being pulled by a steam engine.
Just at dark, location enroute unknown, Hathaway passed by an
area approximately one mile long with guard towers and a high fence.
USAIRA COMMENT:
Due to the time available for debriefing and the physical
limitations of our office in Prague, no more can be reported
from these excellent sources.
END
T.S.Ryan
Lt Col USAF
DECLASSIFIED
Authority NND 857013
By BF NARA Date 11-12-93
REPRODUCTION OF THIS DOCUMENT IN WHOLE
OR IN PART IS PROHIBITED EXCEPT WITH
PERMISSION OF THE ISSUING OFFICE
WARNING: This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 793 and 794. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by other than United States Air Force Agencies, except by permission of the Director of Intelligence, USAF.
AF FORM 1 OCT 52 112a REPLACES AF FORM 112-PART II, 1 JUN 48, WHICH MAY BE USED. CLASSIFICATION [REDACTED] SECRET (SECURITY INFORMATION when filled in)
U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-66470-1
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DocID:34749008 Page 8No. 1 MASTER 02. of 2 MASTERS [REDACTED] SECRET (NOFORN) CLASSIFICATION (SECURITY INFORMATION when filled in) SUPPLEMENT TO AF FORM 112 ORIGINATING AGENCY U.S. AIRA REPORT NO. IR 193-55 PAGE 8 OF 9 PAGES DNIEPERPETROVSK AIRFIELD JET BOMBER PROFILE — 9 OCT. 55 [SKETCH OF AIRCRAFT PROFILE WITH FOLLOWING HANDWRITTEN LABELS:] COCKPIT SET FORWARD CANVAS COVERED SWAYBACK APPEARANCE HERE SILVER (NOT GLASS) BULGE Low Set Tail Plane NOSE WHEEL JET ENGINES CANVAS COVERED ON WINGS SEVERE SWEEP TO MID-WING DESIGN OF BRICK ON RAMP AT AIRFIELD -ASPHALT SEAMS [OCTAGON SHAPE SKETCH] WARNING: This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 793 and 794. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by other than United States Air Force Agencies, except by permission of the Director of Intelligence, USAF. AF FORM 1 OCT 52 112a REPLACES AF FORM 112-PART II, 1 JUN 48, WHICH MAY BE USED. CLASSIFICATION (SECURITY INFORMATION when filled in) U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-66470-1 NW 91377 DocID:34749008 Page 9
No.1 MASTER 02. of 2 MASTERS [REDACTED] SECRET (NOFORN) CLASSIFICATION (SECURITY INFORMATION when filled in) SUPPLEMENT TO AF FORM 112 ORIGINATING AGENCY USAIRA REPORT NO. IR 193-55 PAGE 9 OF 9 PAGES DIAGRAM OF RR GUAGE SWITCHING OPERATION AT COP 12 OCT 1955 [DIAGRAM WITH FOLLOWING HANDWRITTEN LABELS:] BUILDING OUTLINE WITH SIDING INSIDE FLOOR TRAP DOOR RUSSIAN BROAD GUAGE TRACK USSR + COP → RED STAR OVER TRACK (PROBABLE OFFICIAL BORDER MARKER) ← CZECHOSLOVAKIA PIT UNDER TRACKS CZECH STANDARD GUAGE TRACK CZECH RR TRUCKS ARE PUSHED TO RUSSIAN TRUCKS, BANGING THEM IN DIRECTION OF USSR RUSSIAN GUAGE TRUCK RR SLEEPER CAR MARKED ON SIDE "MOSCOW - PRAGUE" FLOOR TRAP DOOR IN CONDUCTOR'S COMPARTMENT WHERE TRUCK DISCONNECT BAR IS LOCATED RUSSIAN GUAGE TRUCK WARNING: This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 793 and 794. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by other than United States Air Force Agencies, except by permission of the Director of Intelligence, USAF. AF FORM 1 OCT 52 112a REPLACES AF FORM 112-PART II, 1 JUN 48, WHICH MAY BE USED. CLASSIFICATION (SECURITY INFORMATION when filled in) U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-66470-1 NW 91377 DocID:34749008 Page 10