ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 949 11 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (164 - LDI - 0757) 9 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | SO CHUNG KUN (서정근) |
| PW NUMBER: | 63 NK 527 |
| RANK: | 1st Lieutenant |
| AGE: | 34 |
| DUTY: | Battalion Political officer |
| UNIT: | 9th Div, 1st Regt, 3rd Bn Hq (317 Unit) |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | YONGSAN by Hq & Svc Co, of 2nd Bn, 5th RCT. |
| DATE CAPTURED: | 3 Sep 50 1100 hour |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (6 years) |
| OCCUPATION: | Armorer |
| HOME ADDRESS: | PYONGYANG NAMDO, KANGSO GUN, BO RIM MYON, WHAHAK RI, #188 (평안남도 강서군 보림면 화학리 188번지) |
SQUAD: 10 men
| WEAPONS: | One PPsh SMG (M-1941), two 72 round drums. |
| One DP LMG, three 47 rounds drums. | |
| Eight M-1891/30 rifles, 150 rounds. | |
| Two hand-grenades per man. |
PLATOON: 43 men, consists of 3 rifle squads and one. HMG squad.
| WEAPONS: | Rifle squads same as above, HMG squad has two HMG (M-1910), 1,000 rounds per HMG. |
COMPANY: 152 men, 3 rifle platoons and one HMG platoons.
| WEAPONS: | See above. |
BATTALION: 617 men, three rifle companies, one HMG company, one 82 MM Mortar Company, Signal platoon, Supply platoon, Medical platoon, AT Rifle platoon, 45 MM AT platoon.
| WEAPONS: | Rifle and HMG Co: See above Mortar Co; three 82 mm M-1941 mortars, 120 rounds per mortar. |
| Signal platoon: three UNA F-31 field telephones. | |
| Supply platoon: three ox carts. | |
| AT Rifle platoon: Four 14.5 PTRD | |
| AT rifles, 150 rounds per AT rifle. | |
| AT Gun platoon: three 45 mm AT Gun, 30 rounds per gun. |
RIFLE REGIMENT: 3000 troops
| 3 Rifle Battalions | 76 mm Gun Company |
| 82 mm Mortar Battalion | 122 mm Gun Company |
| Signal Company | RCN Company |
| Medical Company | Combat Engineer Company |
| Supply Company | Guard Platoon |
| AT Rifle Company | Replacement Company |
| 45 mm AT Company | A A Platoon |
| Transportation Company |
Weapons and Equipment:
Signal Company: three (3) 4R (RBS-40) Radio Receivers and unknown numbers of telephones.
76 mm Gun Company: four (4) 76 mm M-1939 Guns, amount of ammo unknown.
122 mm Gun Company: four (4) 122 mm U-1931/37 Guns, amount of ammo unknown.
Recon Company: PPsh M-1941 only.
Engineer Company VIM-203 Mine Detector, construction tools. Demolishing equipment and PMZ-40 land mines.
AA Platoon: three (3) 7.62 mm M-1943 GORVUNOV AA LMG.
RIFLE DIVISION: Approximately 12000 troops.
3 Rifle Regiments (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and Artillery Regiment.
Engineer Battalion
RCN Company
Signal Battalion
Transportation Battalion
Medical Battalion
AA Company
Med Tank platoon
Replacement unit
SP-Gun Battalion
Weapons and equipment:
SP-Gun Battalion: from 10 to 15 SU-76.
Med Tank Platoon: three (3) T-34 Tanks.
3. DISPOSITION OF ABOVE UNITS:The 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 9th Division were in the North section of YONGSAN town on 3 Sep 50. The 1st Battalion was in reserve for the 2nd and 3rd Battalions and it was located in the eastern sector of YONGSAN. The 2nd Regiment, 3 Sep 50, was located 4 km south of YONGSAN. The 3rd Regiment, is reported to be in INCHON for the purpose of conscripting South Koreans.
The 9th Division Headquarters on 31 Aug 50 was located on the slope of the hill 2 km west of the NAKTONG River and 2 km south of SHINPAN-RI.
The SU-76 SP-Gun Battalion and the Artillery Regiment were located on the opposite slopes of the hill behind Division Headquarters.
4. PRESENT ESTIMATED STRENGTH OF ABOVE UNITS:3rd Bn, 1st Regt, 9th Div as of 3 Sep 50, lost 220 troops. 180 killed and 40 to 50 wounded. No information on other units of 9th Division.
5. PERSONAL AND UNIT HISTORY:Inducted 10 Feb 48, with 150 others from the KIO Chemical Plant, and 550 others from the various factories in PYONGYANG. Out of the 700 inductees, the informant and 500 others were assigned directly to the Military Internal Affairs Office's sanitation section and commissioned 2nd Lieutenants. The informant was with the sanitation section until Oct 48. To 30 Dec 481 the informant was trained as a political officer. On 15 Jan 49, the informant was assigned to the SHINUIJU Guard Unit Headquarters with which he remained until 23 May 49. On 24 May 49, the informant was transferred to the 3rd Border Brigade Headquarters. On 26 Jun 50, the 3rd Brigade was moved into SEOUL. Between 26 Jun 50 and 2 Aug 50, the 3rd Brigade was used for guard duty and recruiting of South Koreans. On 2 Aug 50, the 3rd BG Brigade after conscripting several thousand South Koreans was officially changed to the 9th Division.
On 9 Aug 50, the Division (with the exception of the 3rd Infantry Regiment) marched to INCHON. On 16 Aug 50, the Division moved by night to SUWON, TAEJON, KOCHANG, and arrived at SHINTANI on 26 Aug 50. On 31 Aue 50, the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments of the 9th Division crossed the NAKTONG River into YONGSAN. The informant was captured after deserting his Battalion Headquarters. When captured, he was found hidding in a deserted farm house.
6. PERSONALITIES:9th Div, 1st Regt, 3rd Bn Personnel only:
| Name: | OH, UNG RYUN (오응런) |
| Rank: | 1st Lieutenant |
| Age: | 24 |
| Unit: | 1st Company Commander |
| Name: | HA, SONG YUL (하성녈) |
| Rank: | 1st Lieutenant |
| Age: | 26 |
| Unit: | 2nd Company Commander |
| Name: | NAM, KUM YONG (남금용) |
| Rank: | 1st Lieutenant |
| Age: | 26 |
| Unit: | 3rd Company Commander |
| Name: | LEE SONG CHIP (리 진) |
| Rank: | 1st Lieutenant |
| Age: | 28 |
| Unit: | 3rd Bn Mortar Company Commander |
| Name: | LEE, HYO BOK (리호북) |
| Rank: | 1st Lieutenant |
| Age: | 24 |
| Unit: | 3rd Bn HMG Company Commander |
| Name: | PAEK, NAK SU (백낙수) |
| Rank: | Major |
| Age: | 23 |
| Unit: | 1st Battalion Commander |
| Name: | KWON, YONG IL (권영일) |
| Rank: | Sr Captain |
| Age: | 26 |
| Unit: | 2nd Battalion Commander |
| Name: | SHON, CHUN IL (현술일) |
| Rank: | Colonel |
| Age: | 36 |
| Unit: | 1st Regiment Commander |
| Name: | PAK, HYON DO (박현도) |
| Rank: | Colonel |
| Age: | 32 |
| Unit: | 2nd Regiment Commander |
| Name: | CHOE, HYON (崔憲) (최헌) |
| Rank: | Major General |
| Age: | 47 |
| Unit: | CG, 9th Division until 3 Aug 50, presently CG for 2nd Division. |
The Tank and SP-Gun Unit supporting the 9th (number of tanks unknown) was located on the western slope of the hill, 2 km south of YONGSAN as of 3 Sep 50.
8. ARTILLERY:See Disposition of Units
9. FOOD & SUPPLY:The 9th Div lived off the newly occupied areas because they did not have the transportation to haul food supplies from North KOREA.
While with the 3rd Battalion Headquarters (1st Regt), the informant heard that the NK Army received it's ammo supply from the Russian Maritime Provinces. North Korean trains haul rice and other food products to the Maritime Provinces and, on their return trip haul ammo. Ammo is believed to be coming from VLADIVOSTOK. The freshly-imported ammo is first taken to PYONGYAm. From PYONGYANG it is hauled either by trucks, wagons, or train to SEOUL, then to TAEJON. From TAEJON, the ammo is distributed to the various NK Divisions.
The 9th Division received its ammo by way of the KUMSAN - KOCHANG Highway to YONGSAN. The 9th Division's main ammo supply point (as of 3 Sep 50) was located in the town of SHITAN-RI (exact location unknown). The Division's ammo was hauled by trucks, wagons or carried on A-frames.
Since crossing the NAKTONG River on 31 Aug 50, the ammo supply for the front line troops has been completely cut off. The front line troops did not have sufficient ammo and food supplies. Ammo supply was cut off because of air attacks and the lack of boats.
10. REPLACEMENTS:The 9th Div's replacement system is unknown.
The 9th Div did not have sufficient medical supplies. There were no known doctors with the Division. Seriously wounded troops usually died from lack of medical attention. Only officers and medical corpsman carried first-aid packets; Wounded troops were evacuated to the roar through channels. The collection point in the roar was usually the nearest village. Wounded troops after recovery are sent back to the front. Only the amputees and crippled were evacuated to the Seoul Red Cross Hospital.
Troops when separated from their parent unit during battle had to find their way back to their parent organization. They could join the adjacent company or unit only upon the Unit Commander’s orders. There is no plan for regrouping in the event of retreat.
11. ENEMY INTENTIONS:The troops were ordered never to surrender. The only known help from the CCF or Russians is in the form of weapons and munitions.
No Russian advisors were present with the 9th Division.
The following Divs are said to be on the flanks of 9th Division (center). The 7th, 6th, 4th, and 2nd Divisions.
Elements of the 2nd and 6th Div crossed the NAKTONG River on 31 Aug 50. Two (2) Regts (1st and 2nd) of the 9th Div and the two (2) other Regis of the 4th Division are said to have crossed the NAKTONG River on 31 Aug 50.
On 30 Aug 50, the 9th Div received operational order # 81 in accordance with which the all out attack made by the 4th, 6th, 7th, and 9th Div in their attempt to cross the NAKTONG River on 31 Aug 50 at 2100 hours. The 9th Division was supposed to cross the NAKTONG River and take MIRYONG within a week. The 6th & 7th Division are supposed to take MASAN. The 2nd Division is to approach TAEGU from the Southern flank.
12. MEDICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL:No information
13. CAPTURED EQUIPMENT:No information
14. NORTH KOREAN AF & NAVY:The informant heard from his Bn CO that there were 50 YAK-9 fighters at the CHIDO Air Force Base in PYONGYANG. He was also told that these aircraft were to support the North Korean Divisions attempting to cross the NAKTONG River between 31 Aug 50 and 1 Sep 50. (Aircraft did not support. the Division (reason for nonsupport unknown).)
No information on Navy.
15. MORALE:The morale of the troops in the 9th Division is said to be very low because of:
1. Lack of training.
2. Troops were mostly new conscripted men.
3. Lack of food
4. Fatigue from long marches.
5. Four of aircraft.
6. Desertions.
7. Lack of proper equipment.
a. Lack of medical care.
16. US POW’s:On 7 Aug 50, close to a thousand US PsW were seen in SEOUL.
17. SOUTH KOREAN SENTIMENTS:The true feeling of the people in the newly-occupied area is unknown because the people do not have freedom of speech.
The people are forced to feed and work tor the North Korean Army. There have been no open anti-communist activities, because anyone engaged in such would be shot.
18. CHOLERA:No information
19. CHEMICAL:Up to time of capture the following signal flares grenades were used by the 9th Division:
Red
Green
Yellow
White
Red flare grenades were usually used to signify the start of an attack.
Green usually meant the position or objective had been secured.
Yellow - unknown
White - unknown
The colored flare grenades were used for the above mentioned purpose between 31 Aug 50 and 3 Sep 50.
The troops had not received chemical training nor carry chemical warfare equipment.
INTERROGATOR's REMARK:
Informant is very sincere; his information is considered reliable because he was a deserter.
INTERROGATED BY: Sgt T ONNA
For the AC of S G-2:
SAKAMOTO
