ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 605 19 August 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0444) 15 August 1950
| Name: | HO YONG GUK (許永國) (허영국) |
| Rank: | Lt |
| Age: | 25 |
| Organization: | 5th Div, 10th Regt (Code 617, APO 5432), 2nd Bn, 5th Co (as a political officer) |
| Duties with Unit: | Cultural Officer |
| Education: | Military Academy School (7 months) located in PYONGYANG |
| Occupation: | Factory worker |
| Address: | HAMGYONG PUKTO, CHUNG CHING, SUNAM NI JEI, 30½ (咸鏡北道 淸津郡 水南) |
| Date & Place Captured: | 12 2100 K Aug 50 at CHONGHA (1230-1480) by ROK Civil Police |
| Interrogator: | Cpl TANNO |
PW was cooperative and information seemed reliable.
Personal & Military History:
Inducted 20 May 49 at P‘YONGYANG. Sent to a Military Academy School as a political officer for six (6) months at P’YONGYANG. Transferred to 5th Company of 10th Regt located at NANAM on 30 Dec 49. 5th Division departed NANAM 19 Jun 50 - railroad - arrived YANGYANG 24 Jun via east coast. Departed YANGYANG 24 Jun - marched - arrived YONGDOK date unknown. 10th Regiment departed YONGDOK (date unknown) - marched - arrived CH’ONG SONG 10 Aug 50. 10th Regiment captured CH’ONGSONG after a one (1) day battle. The regiment advanced to HUNGHAE where they fought about an hour on 11 Aug 50. PW was separated from the unit on the night of 11 Aug. PW was captured by SK police at CHONCHA on 12 Aug 50.
T/O of PW’s Unit:5th Division consisted of three (3) rifle regiments, the 10th, 11th, & 12th: one (1) Signal Bn and one (1) Engineer Bn.
Disposition of Above Unit:5th Division Hq located on a mountain top approx 12 km S of CH’ONGSONG (1200-1500) on 12 Aug 50. 10th Regiment Hq was also located with the Division Hq on 12 Aug 50.
Estimated Strength of Above Unit:| Original | Present | |
| 5th Division | 10,000 | Unknown |
| 10th Regt | 3,000 | 2,500 |
| 2nd Bn | 700 | 600 |
| 5th Co | 150 | 120 |
One (1) Artillery Regt consisted of 120 mm howitzers, 75 mm guns, 82 mm mortars and 45 mm guns (number of men and guns unk). PW stated that 10th Regt was supported by the Arty Regt with seventy (70) guns in battle at CH’ONGSONG Area on 9 Aug (type and number of guns used unknown).
Personalities:5th Division CO - Unknown
10th Regt CO - PAK CHONG DOK, Col, Age 40 (박정독)
2nd Bn CO - LEE SAN YUL, Rank - four (4) small stars, age 30 (리산오)
Most officers in Division were trained by the CCF in MANCHURIA. A Russian officer (rank - Col) was the principal of a military school at P’YONGYANG.
Armor:PW heard that there was one (1) tank battalion in 5th Div, and about 15 self-propelled guns (last observed at CH’ONGSONG 10 Aug).
Artillery:PW saw regimental attack order for an attack on POHANG DONG, with a seventy (70) piece artillery support, on 12 Aug 50.
Food & Ammo Supplies:Food and ammo supplies for 10th Regiment were hauled by trucks, ex carts and troops (source of supplies unknown). Each rifleman was issued 100 rounds of ammunition and 3 day’s rations.
Capabilities of Unit:Morale: The morale among troops was very high because the unit had never retreated until PW’s capture.
Replacements: 5th Division received replacements of troops from a division composed mostly of former CCF Koreans which was utilized as replacements for 5th Division. 5th Company of 2nd Bn received about 30 men 10 Aug 50. Present strength of replacement div unknown. Wounded were sent to the rear. After medical treatment troops reported back to their original units. About five (5) wounded returned to duty with the company 10 Aug 50.
Captured equipment: No information.
US PW’s:No information on US prisoners. PW heard in 2nd Bn that the members of 12th Regt of 5th Division killed all ROK prisoners (number unknown) in one battle at YONGDOK (date unknown).
North Korean Air Force and Navy:No information.
South Korean Sentiment:People located in CH’ONGSONG and YONGDOK areas welcomed NK troops. These people wanted to be on the winning side.
Enemy Intentions:Troops were instructed to fight to the last man. Also they were told not to surrender because ROK troops kill all prisoners. Last objective of PW’s unit was POHANGODONG via HUNCHAE on 12 Aug.
Signed TARKENTON/WALKER
