ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1150 17 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0788) 16 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | CHO Kyong Hwan (曺景煌) (조경환) |
| PW NO: | 63 NK 2918 |
| RANK: | Pvt (戰士) |
| AGE: | 18 |
| DUTY: | Runner |
| UNIT: | 15th Div, 22nd Regt, 2nd Bn, 4th Co, 1st Plt |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School - 5 years |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | IMP’ODONG - 4 km N of YONGCH’ON (永川) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 12 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HAMGYONG NAMDO, KOWON-Gun, KOWON-Myon TAE SUK’OK Ni #374 (咸鏡南道 高原郡 高原 大水谷 三七四) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same as above |
| INTERROGATOR: | S/Sgt NAKAYAMA (FEAF) |
PW cooperative during interrogation.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
PW was inducted in HOERYONG (會寧) (1200-2200) 3 Mar 50. Received basic training, 3 Mar - 3 Apr 50, PW repaired barracks
Departed HOERYONG - 22 Jun 50 - on train - arrived KUMHWA (金化) 25 Jun 50.
Departed KUMHWA - 28 Jun 50 - marched - arrived CH’UNCH’ON (春川) - 30 Jun 50.
Departed CH’UNCH’ON - 30 Jun 50 - marched - arrived - UMSONG (陰城) - date unknown.
Departed KOESAN (槐山) date unknown - marched - arrived ANDONG (安東) date unknown.
Departed ANDONG - date unknown - marched - arrived KUNWI (軍威) date unknown.
Departed KUNWI - date unknown - marched - arrived IMP’O DONG (林浦洞) - 9 Sep 50.
500 men who trained at the same time left HOERYONG together. On arrival at KUMHWA they joined 2,500 men making a total of 3,000 men. This became part of the 15th Div. Whereabouts of the rest of the units, unknown.
In CH’UNCH’ON Area the unit had two engagements. In these they lost approximately 100 men. The 2nd Bn CO, KlM, Chae Il (金在一) was wounded and the 4th Co CO, O, Yong Ch'an
(吳永燦) killed. After the battle they reorganized the 500 men left in the 2nd Bn advanced as far as KUNWI. Disposition of remainder of 15th Div, unknown. Two days before entering YONGCH’ON (永川) the 500 men had another engagement. Approx 200 men were killed and 200 survived. On their way to IMP’O DONG 20 more men were killed or disappeared. On arrival in IMP'O DONG, 80 men were left. Here PW was captured.
Original Organization and Strength: (Approx)
15th Div - 10,000 men; 4 Regts
22nd Regt - 3,000 men - 3 Bns
2nd Bn - 500 men - 4 companies
4th Co - 150 men - 4 platoons
1st Plt - 40 men - 4 squads
Actual Battle Organization and Strength:
12 Sep 50 - 80 men remained in 2nd Bn.
Communication:
PW was a runner. Delivered pass words and alert notices from unit to unit. Verbal messages. Telephones were used only by communication men and officers.
Personalities:
15th Div CG - PAK Sang Ch'ol - Sr Col; Age 40
2nd Bn CO - KIM Chae Il (金在一) Capt; KIA N of YONGCH'ON
4th Co CO - O, Yong Ch'an (吳永燦) (오영찬) Lt; KIA in CH‘UNCH’ON (春川)
Morale:
Morale was high. PW was told that PUSAN and T‘AEGU were in the hands of the NKPA and most of the soldiers had made arrangements as to where they would meet for a reunion. Morale remained high until IMP'O DONG. In IMP'O DONG, morale started to decline due to lack of replacements and reinforcements which were promised. Food and ammunition supply became low. Casualties were high.
Leaflets:
PW did not see any leaflets.
Money Exchange in North KOREA:
Pre-war exchange with Russian ruble, 1:1. At present no Russian money in circulation in North KOREA. Money valuation between North and South KOREA WON: Two (2) SK WON for one (1) NK WON.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
