ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1158 17 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (164 - LDI - 0868) 15 September 1950
PERSONAL DETAILS:| NAME: | CHE, Song Sam (崔聖三) (최성삼) |
| PW NO: | 63 NK 926 |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| AGE: | 30 |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| ORGANIZATION: | 13th Div, 19th Regt, 1st Bn, 3rd Co, 2nd Plt, 3rd Sqd |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (6 years) |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| ADDRESS: | HWANGHAE DO, SINCHON GUN, PUKPU MYON, SUNGDO RI, #104 (黃海道 信川郡 北部面 聲島里 104番地) |
| DATE & PLACE CAPTURED: | 120900K Sep 50 Approximately 16 Km NW of TAEGU (1153.9 - 1153.8) by “F” Company, 8th Cav Regiment. |
| INTERROGATOR: | M.T. |
PW was cooperative. Information limited due to short period of military service. However, it seems reliable.
He was a deserter, stating he felt safer being a US Prisoner than with NK Army.
TACTICAL INFORMATION:T/O & E of PW’s Unit:
13th Div, 19th Regt, 1st Bn, 3rd Co, 2nd Plt, 3rd Sqd.
3rd Platoon
A. Personnel
1. 3 squads
2. 5 men per squad
3. Total of 17 men
B. Equipment and Ammunition
1. 17 x M-1891/30 rifles, 50 rounds per rifle
2. 2 x grenades per man
3rd Company
A. Personnel
1. 3 Platoons
2. Total of approx 70 men
B. Equipment
1. 1 x HMG (ammo unknown)
2. 2 x SMGs (ammo unknown)
NOTE: Above-mentioned information as of 3 Sep 50.
No further information.
Disposition of Above Unit:
3rd Bn Hq, 19th Regt, 13th Division, was located on a mountain approximately 18 Km NW of TAEGU at the time of his capture on 12 Sep 50. Disposition of other units was unknown.
Estimated Strength of Above Units: (As of 12 Sep 50)
Unit: 3rd Platoon
Original Strength: 17 men
Present Strength: 10 men
Unit: 3rd Co, 19th Regt
Original Strength: 70 men
Present Strength: Unknown
Higher echelon unknown.
Personal & Unit History:
Conscripted on 19 Aug 50 at HASONG (下聖). PW did not receive any training.
While traveling to SARIWON from HASONG, the following places were passed:
| PLACE | DEPARTED | MODE OF TRAVEL | PLACE | ARRIVED |
| SARIWON | 22 Aug 50 | Train | SEOUL | 24 Aug 50 |
| SEOUL | 25 Aug 50 | Truck-Marched | WONJU | ? |
| WONJU | ? | Marched | CHECH’ON | ? |
| CHECH’ON | ? | Marched | TANYANG | ? |
| TANYANG | ? | Marched | UISONG | ? |
| UISONG | ? | Marched | KUNWI | o/a 1 Sep 50 |
The 3rd Battalion advanced southward from KUNWI and arrived on a mountain (location unknown) on 10 Sep 50.
On 11 Sep 50, PW with another man deserted and was captured by US troops approximately 16 Km NW of TAEGU on 12 Sep 50.
Armor:
PW observed more than 10 tanks (type unknown) heading south at WONJU. (Date unknown)
Artillery:
PW observed on one occasion, about 10 artillery pieces (122 mm Howitzer & 76 mm guns) towed by trucks at WONJU (date unknown).
Food and Ammo Supplies:
The 3rd Battalion did not carry any food when it crossed the 38th parallel on 21 Aug 50. Food was confiscated from occupied areas where most of the people had evacuated. PW stated that sometimes they did not eat for 2½ days when they stopped over in deserted villages.
PW received one issue of 50 rounds of rifle ammo when they arrived on the mountain after leaving KUNWI, o/a 1 Sep 50. However, he threw away most of his ammo as they advanced. PW had only 10 rounds of ammo left when captured on 12 Sep 50.
Replacements:
PW’s group of approximately 1,000 men were the last replacements which the 13th Division received at KUNWI o/a 1 Sep 50.
Wounded personnel of 3rd Battalion were left behind without any medical attention.
Enemy Intentions:
The objective of 3rd Battalion was TAEGU when they left KUNWI o/a l Sep 50.
PW heard that the capture of TAEGU meant victory for the North Korean Army.
PW’s Battalion CO told troops to fight to the last man, and that they would be shot if they tried to retreat.
Morale:
Morale of 3rd Battalion was low due to lack of food, equipment, ammunition.
Most of the troops in the Battalion consisted of replacements who had received no training.
US POW’s:
A friend told PW that he had seen about 100 US POWs in YONGDUNGPO on 25 Aug 50.
South Korean Sentiments:
PW stated that most South Koreans with whom he talked did not express any ill feeling toward NK troops.
Medical:
Malaria was prevalent among the 3rd Battalion troops since they came to KUNWI o/a 1 Sep 50.
PW saw some victims of malaria suffering every other day for approximately 4 days from headaches or chills.
FOR THE AC OF S G-2:
SAKAMOTO
