ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1142 17 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0780) 16 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | CH’OE, Yong Sam (崔永三) (최영삼) |
| PW NO: | 63 NK 933 |
| RANK: | Pvt (戰士) |
| AGE: | 22 |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| UNIT: | 1st Div, 2nd Inf Regt, 2nd Bn, 5th Co, 2nd Plt, 2nd Sqd |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (6 years) |
| OCCUPATION: | Liaison Employee, Democratic Party, SINUIJU |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | Wooded Hill 14 km WNW of TAEGU |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 12 1400K Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | P’YONGAN PUKTO, SAKJU-Gun, SAKJU-KYON, SO BU-Ni #164 (平安北道 朔州郡 朔州面 西部里 一六四) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same as Place of Birth |
| INTERROGATOR: | Sgt HAMASAKA (ATIS) |
PW appeared to be fairly intelligent. He was cooperative, however ignorant on military terms and units due to short term of military service. PW considered fairly reliable by interrogator.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
10 Aug 50 - Conscripted into NKPA South SINUIJU (新義州). 450 conscripts (mostly merchants ages 17-37; average age 25) received 9 days basic training.
19 Aug 50 - 450 conscripts designated as replacements. Activated into 1st Bn comprised of four (4) companies. PW assigned to 3rd Co. 1st Bn left South SINUIU by rail, unarmed.
20 Aug 50 - 1st Bn arrived at SINUIJU. Travel only during night. Left SINUIJU immediately.
20-23 Aug 50 - 1st Bn continued in southerly direction by rail and foot.
23 Aug 50 - 1st Bn Arrived at P'YONGYANG (平壤) left P'YONGYANG immediately.
25 Aug 50 - 1st Bn arrived at KAESONG (開城). Travel by rail and foot. Left KAESONG on foot.
29 Aug 50 - 1st Bn arrived at SEOUL.
30 Aug 50 - 1st Bn left SEOUL on foot, still unarmed.
8 Sep 50 - 1st Bn arrived at north bank NAKTONG River (洛東) at point south of ANDONG (安東) via SUWON, WONJU (原州) YONGJU (英主), ANDONG (安東). Crossed river same night over repaired concrete bridge (see Bridges). No opposition encountered during crossing.
8 Sep - 11 Sep 50 - 1st Bn continued march south from NAKTONG River over mountain road. Travel by night only. 1st Bn still unarmed.
11 0400K Sep 50 - 1st Bn arrived in 1st Div Area in wooded hill 8 km ENE of T'AEGU (location uncertain). Of 560 replacements in 1st Bn. 30 troops deserted unit during travel from SINUIJU to 1st Div Area. 1st Bn replacements assigned to various units, 1st Div. PW and 2 assigned to 2nd Plt, 5th Co, 2nd Bn, 2nd Inf Regt M1891/30 rifle, 100 rounds available for only 2 or 3 replacements assigned to 2nd Plt. PW unarmed. 2nd Bn remained deployed in hill remainder of day. Other 1st Div Unit disposition, unknown.
11 1800 Sep 50 - 2nd Bn left hill positions (8 km ENE of T’AEGU) for wooded mountain approximately 4 km E (12 km ENE of T’AEGU).
12 0500 Sep 50 - 2nd Bn arrived at wooded mountain. Deployed in wide area.
12 1100 Sep 50 - 2nd Bn shelled by US artillery and mortars. Strafed and bombed by US aircraft. Heaviest casualties from artillery mortars. Number unknown. Air attack, least effective. PW, unarmed, hid between boulders during engagement 2nd Bn units forced into disorganized retreat as result of heavy US artillery and mortar shelling and small arms fire. PW captured immediately thereafter by US army units.
Weapons and Personnel:
1st Rifle Div - Strength unknown
2nd Inf Regt - Strength unknown
2nd Bn (3 x inf companies, mortar company, HMG Co) Strength 100.
5th Co - Strength - 6
Remarks: During engagements 2 x mortars similar to 82-mm M1937 Medium Mortars distributed to each company. Returned to mortar company after engagement. In 5th Co 1 x mortar destroyed, remaining mortars, unknown (believed destroyed).
Unit Morale:
During 1st Bn (replacement unit) march from SINUIJU to 1st Div area (8 km ENE of T’AEGU), PW noticed low morale among troops in unit. Troops (formerly merchants in N. Korea) were bitter over compulsory conscription and possessed no desire to fight for North Korean Government.
Although troops were warned by unit officers that NKPA troops would be killed by US Army if they surrendered, rumors by S. Koreans in occupied areas circulated among troops that NKPA PsW in hands of US Army would receive good treatment. PW believes most North Korean replacement troops will surrender to US Army at first opportunity.
Sociological:
PW believes at least 80% of North Korean population dislike their government because of strict control and regulation of individuals.
Economical:
In SOBU (西部), 240 km SE of SINUIJU, 8 Aug 50, following prices on commodities prevailed:
rice - 1 sung (升) - 40 WON (圓)
work trousers 1 pair - 800 WON
work shirt - 1 - 5 to 600 WON
Semi-skilled workers in nearby carbide plant received 40 WON plus three meals a day.
In SEOUL, 29-30 Aug 50, S. Korean currency was still be used. Exchange rate at bank was 100 N. Korean WON for 800 S. Korean WON.
Following price prevailed: Leather dress shoes, a pair - 2,000 S. Korean WON.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
