ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 982 11 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0733) 10 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | KANG, Kuk Mo (姜國模) (강국모) |
| PW NO: | 63 NK 2534 |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| AGE: | 16 |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| UNIT: | 15th Div, 50th Regt, 2nd Bn, 6th Co |
| EDUCATION: | 7 yrs |
| OCCUPATION: | Student - Helped mother farm after school hours |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | YONGCH’ON (永川) Area |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 6 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HAMGYONG NAMDO, HESAN-Gun, UNHUNG-Myon, TAOCH’ON-Ri (咸鏡南道 惠山郡 雲興面 大五川里) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same as above |
| INTERROGATOR: | S/Sgt LEE (FEAF) |
PW cooperative, information limited. PW was sick with malaria and was left behind by CO. After a day’s rests PW with 10 others tried to catch up with his company. PW’s Co was fighting in area of YONGCH’ON (永川). PW saw a truck and thinking it one of his unit's trucks approached and found it was loaded with ROK troops. PW was told to surrender which he did. PW not recommended for further interrogation by higher headquarters.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:PW was recruited from HESANCHIN (惠山鎭) and inducted on 7 Aug 50. PW left HESANCHIN on 9 Aug 50, after spending 2 days waiting for more recruits. PW left for HOERYONG by train and arrived 10 Aug 50. PW received 4 days of basic training and with approx 3,000 men left HOERYONG 1 Aug 50, by train and arrived KUMHWA (金化) 17 Aug 50.
PW left KUMHWA 17 Aug 50, marched and arrived CH'UNCH'ON (春川) 18 Aug 50. Left CH'UNCH'ON 18 Aug 50, marched, arrived KUMCH'ON 26 Aug 50. 3,000 men that arrived with PW as replacements were sent to different units. 50th Regt received approx 800 replacements. 2nd Bn, 270 men and 6th Co, 70 men. PW states that all of the 3,000 men that arrived in KUMCH’ON with him were used as replacements within the 15th Div. PW left KUMCH'ON 27 Aug 50, with his unit for YONGCH’ON Front. PW’s unit arrived in YONGCH'ON Area 4 Sep 50, PW arrived 6 Sep 50 because of malaria. PW received rifle, 50 rounds and 2 grenades just after leaving KUMCH’ON.
Original Organization and Strength:
Unknown
Actual Battle Organization and Strength:
2nd Bn - 360 men
6th Co - 80 men
Equipment:
M1891/30 rifle, no bayonet; RG-42 offensive hand grenades.
6th Co had 12 x DP LMG.
6th Co had 3 x Maxim HMG M1910 on M1931 dual-purpose mount.
2nd Bn had 2 x 45 mm M1937 Guns.
20 x T-34/85 medium tanks with the 15th Div.
PW claims that his Bn CO was always saying that Heavy Arty (155 mm) was on the way to join them. PW heard that the Heavy Arty range is 31 km. Effective radius of burst is approx 300 meters. (?) Only 8 shells could be loaded on 1 x truck. It was hauled by tractor. The artillery piece consists of 6 wheels, and it took 4 men to carry 1 shell.
Unit History:
Unknown
Disposition:
Food situation, very critical. At times troops were fed once in 2 days.
All supplies are taken to ANDONG by rail from points N of ANDONG. From ANDONG supplies are distributed by truck.
Communication:
Trails and roads, fair. Telephone lines, good.
Intentions:
To take YONCH’ON then cut off TAEGU and proceed directly to PUSAN.
Knowledge of other units:
Unknown
Morale and Propaganda:
PW saw lots of propaganda leaflets. PW was very curious about all the good things said in propaganda leaflets. PW quietly asked his Co Commander if everything mentioned in leaflets was true. His Co Commander scolded him and told PW that it was all untrue. PW wished that everything written were true and wanted to surrender. Men in PW's unit used to discuss content of leaflets and more or less felt that everything said was true.
Morale in 6th Co, very low. UN fighter aircraft strafing took heavy toll in 15th Div. Personnel, NK Troops very afraid of fighter aircraft.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
