ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1102 16 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0761) 14 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | LEE Yong Sil (李永實) (리영실) |
| PW NO: | 63 NK 2781 |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| AGE: | 19 |
| DUTY: | Wireman |
| UNIT: | 15th Div, Arty Regt, (Code N 783), Regt Hq Btry, Signal Plt, 1st Wire Command Sqd |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School - 2 years |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | IMP’O DONG (1190-1440) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 10 0900 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HAMGYONG NAMDO, HAMHUNGSI, HOE YANG RI 2 Ku, #1 (咸鏡南道 咸興 會陽里 二区 一番地) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same as above |
| INTERROGATOR: | SFC INOMOTO (ATIS) |
PW has no information 15th Div Rifle Regts.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
10 Mar 50 - Inducted at NAJIN. An estimated 800 conscripts received basic artillery instruction at what the then called Special Training Branch, NAJIN Civilian Youth Training Center. Instructors were N. Koreans, graduates of an unidentified military academy.
PW’s training only covered signal operations such as telephone communication and wire laying techniques.
May 50 - Unit known at this time as an artillery regiment, composed of three artillery battalion. A steady shipment of Russian weapons and equipment flowed into regiment as of this date. Artillery pieces and prime movers (trucks) were transported by rail from the USSR to NAJIN. New Russian small arms and necessary operational equipment also receiving during this period. After the issuance of weapons, training in the service of the piece.
23 Jun 50 - Regt departed by rail from NAJIN.
24 Jun 50 - Regt detrained CH'ORWON.
26 Jun 50 - Regt crossed 38th Parallel. PW learned for the first time that regiment was an organic supporting element of the 15th Div.
O/a 27 Jun 50 - Only one battery of the regiment utilized in the support of rifle elements on the attack of CH’UNCH’ON.
O/a 7 Sep 50 - Regt took up positions a short distance to the rear of the rifle elements deployed along the heights approx 2 km N of YONGCH’ON. PW is not clear on the routes taken by the regt from CH’UNCH’ON to YONGCH’ON, however he is certain that the regt was in support of the 15th Div all the way.
8 0000 Sep 50 - Regt ordered to break the ROK Lines at YONGCH’ON and advance SE towards KYONGJU. Regt was to be proceeded by 15th Div Rifle elements. However, infantry units had great difficulty in gathering their men due to constant ROK pressure. Therefore, artillery regt was ordered to advance without waiting for the infantry. 2nd Bn, to which PW was attached, managed to get across a concrete bridge, spanning a river just south of YONGCH'ON, with all of artillery pieces. (towed by trucks). The bridge was demolished by UN artillery barrage immediately after the crossing of the 2nd Bn, thereby, stopping the other 2 battalion from further advance.
9 0900 Sep 50 - 2nd Bn advanced to IMP’O-DONG where it came to a complete halt owing to strong ROK pressure. 2nd Bn completely encircled the following night. The Regtl Chief of Staff, who was then in command of the 2nd Bn, dispatched an urgent message by runners (One Jr Lt and one EM from the recon plt) asking for immediate rifle support. No reply or reinforcement had arrived up to time of PW’s capture.
10 0900 Sep 50 - ROK Forces supported by artillery slowly closed in on 2nd Bn, inflicting heavy casualties. PW and approx 20 others surrendered. Quite a few managed to escape, including Regtl Chief of Staff and 2nd Bn CO. 2nd Bn's artillery pieces 8 x 76-mm Gun (approx), 4 x 120-mm Mortars (approx) and 12 x Russian trucks captured by ROK Forces after successfully routing 2nd Bn at IMP’O-DONG.
Unit Organization and Strength:
Original organization and strength: 15th Div arty Regt: strength, approx 800. Composed of 3 arty bns: strength, 150-200 each. Directly under regt, a control battery; strength 70-80, composed of 3 platoons; namely, Signal Plt, Topographic Plt, and Recon Plt.
Each battalion had an attached truck maintenance platoon and also technician (officer) who was responsible for the maintenance of artillery pieces.
As of 8 Sep 50 regt down to less than 500 men. No replacements received since start of hostilities.
Equipment:
Original No of artillery pieces and trucks: Each bn equipped with 8 x 76mm Gun, 4 x 120-mm Mortars and 12 x Russian trucks.
Note: Prime movers were utilized in the transportation of artillery ammunition, from the rear up to gun positions.
Present number of artillery pieces and trucks cannot be estimated due to the fact that PW remained with the regt in all of the operation, except the last.
However, PW believes that quite a few of the artillery pieces and trucks probably have been put out of action by UN air action.
Intentions:
Ordered to pierce the line and advance toward KYONGJU.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
