On the Troops’ State of Readiness

REPORT

on the troops' state of readiness
at 17:00 hours on 20.8.1968

1. The troops are at full readiness and are ready to move out immediately towards the frontier on receiving the signal.

2. The troops' emotional-political condition - good.
The increased ideological and educational work has had a significant impact on their emotional-political condition. Units have been fully equipped with propaganda and entertainment equipment, as well as informational and propaganda materials specially prepared for them.
A group of 23 Czech-speaking officers has been assigned to tactical formations to be used for propaganda work with Czechoslovak soldiers and civilians.

3. Two divisions – the 10th and the 11th Armored, which are to be first across the frontier, are to operate in the area lying between the principal towns of TRUTNOV, KOLIN, HAVLÍCKUV BROD, ŠUMPERK. Both divisional columns are to be preceded by light reconnaissance units also equipped with propaganda trucks.
The area to be occupied by our forces is of about 6,000 km² and lies in two regions: PARDUBICE and HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ. This area contains 18 counties. It is planned to set up military headquarters in each county town, as well as on airfields and some military garrisons: 24 HQs in all. The largest towns are the regional capitals: PARDUBICE and HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ (over 50,000 inhabitants). The average population density is 60 inhabitants to 1 km² and in the PARDUBICE and HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ region – over 100 inhabitants to 1 km².


The designated area contains one local radio station at HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ of 2 kW strength. The southern part of the area is covered by television programming from a station at PARDUBICE and the northern part from a station at TRUTNOV. In addition, there is a television relay station in the Karkonosze Mountains.

In economic terms coal and porcelain clay mining are well developed in the Trutnov Basin, as well as lignite in the JAVORNÍK area.

Among the power-generation facilities in the town of PORÍCÍ there is a thermal power station complex (of about 200 MW) and in PARDUBICE (of about 100-200 MW). In the heavy industry sector, the machine-tool, communications equipment, electronic, chemical and some petroleum industries are well developed, and in the light industry sector - the textile, clothing, leather and footwear industries.

Agriculture – in the northern part of the area there is mountain farming with animal grazing and potato fields and in the southern – rye and potato farming. Cattle and pig farming are well developed (over 115 animals per 100 hectares).

GENERAL STAFF POLISH ARMY


Translated thanks to a generous contribution from John A. Adams and the John A. Adams Center for Military History and Strategic Analysis at the Virginia Military Institute.