Page:NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 18; CZECHOSLOVAKIA; MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110011-1.pdf/10

APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110011-1

FIGURE 3. These partly forested hills in the Northwestern Highlands have mixed needleleaf evergreen and broadleaf deciduous species. The region is generally unsuited for conventional ground operations and airborne and airmobile operations. (U/OU)

narrow, low capacity bridges. Snow and ice conditions, from early December to early March, create additional hazards to onroad movement. Construction of new roads would be difficult, requiring extensive grading, cutting, and filling; alignments would be severely restricted. Conditions for vehicular cross-country movement and off-road dispersal range from fair in interstream areas on lower slopes to unsuited on steep, forested upper slopes; even in interstream areas on lower slopes, movement would be hindered by miry soils or snow cover from mid-November to early April. Cover and concealment are provided by irregular terrain and by forests of needleleaf evergreen and broadleaf deciduous trees on upper hill and mountain slopes. On lower slopes, in basins, and in wider river valleys, low-growing crops and brush provide little cover or concealment from air observation.

There are many sites suitable for construction of tunnel-type installations, but access would be difficult. Rocks are generally stable, permitting construction of tunnel-type installations with short adits and wide, unsupported spans. Thin soils would make construction of bunker-type installations impractical in most places. Natural construction materials (sand, gravel, and timber) are generally available.

Conditions are generally unfavorable for airmobile and airborne operations. There are a few suitable sites for airdrops, helicopter landings, and landing of assault-type, fixed-wing aircraft on unprepared surfaces in scattered valleys and basins, but surrounding high relief generally restricts low-level approaches. Only a few permanent airfields are in the region. Steep slopes, poor foundation and, in places, poor drainage would make construction of additional airfields difficult. In addition, adverse weather during winter months would hinder aircraft operations.

Suitability for irregular forces operations is generally good. Existing roads and trails permit fair to good movement for small groups. Most roads are improved and natural surfaced; they are in fair to poor condition and connect rural communities. Movement on foot would be hindered by forested steep slopes, soft soils, or winter snow cover. Dense forests and rugged terrain provide good concealment from air and ground observations and cover from flat-trajectory fire. In basins and wider river valleys, low-growing crops and brush afford little cover or concealment from air observation. Lower slopes and basins are more densely populated than upper slopes; the latter have only small villages and scattered rural dwellings. Conditions for sustenance are most favorable on lower slopes and in basins. Materials for shelter and fuel are available on upper slopes, but natural or cultivated foods are scarce. Water is generally available but should be treated before drinking. Supplying irregular forces by air would be difficult because of a lack of drop zones and landing sites and the problem of restricted approaches.

2. Western Hills and Plains

The region is generally fair for large-scale conventional ground operations. It is predominantly dissected and hilly uplands (Figure 4) interrupted by valleys and small basins. In the north, surrounding and east of Prague, is a large, cultivated, nearly flat to rolling plain and a few small, scattered hills (Figure 5). Along the West Germany border is the southwest there is an area of low mountains. Poorly drained areas are common near the Austria border in the south.

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110011-1