ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1166 19 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0796) 17 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | MUN, Pyong Ch’ol (文柄哲) (문병철) |
| PW NAME: | CH’OE Tae Bom (崔大範) (최대범) |
| PW NUMBER: | 63 NK 3064 |
| RANK: | Pvt (戰士) |
| AGE: | 20 |
| DUTY: | Artillery (Ammo carrier) |
| UNIT: | 15th Div, 50th Regt, 1st Bn, 82mm Mortar Co, 2nd Plt, 1st Sqd |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School 6 yrs |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | YONGCH’ON (永川) (1190 - 1450) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 14 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | Same as Home Address |
| HOME ADDRESS: | KANGWONDO, CHORWON GUN, MACHANG MYON, OHIRI #796 (江原道 鐵原郡 馬場面 오히리 七九六) |
| INTERROGATOR: | KAJIWARA DAFC (FEAF) |
This PW had a shrapnel wound (healed) on the right and left shoulder and a bullet wound in the left arm (practically healed). PW appeared to be rather stupid. He didn't have the slightest idea what this war was about. All he could say that he was glad to be a PW and if he knew of the conditions in South Korea he would have left NK long ago. Not recommended for further interrogation.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:PW was inducted into the NKPA on 3 Apr 50 and received his basic training at HOERYONG (會寧) where the 15th Inf Div was organized. The PW’s 82mm mortar company crossed the 38th parallel near HYON-NI on or about 30 Jun 50. PW stated that he marched over mountain trails about 30 days prior to the company's arrival in YONGCH’ON (永川). The only 82mm mortar with which the company was equipped was damaged. About 20 days prior to the company's arrival. in YONGCH’ON, PW was hit in the shoulder by a shell fragment and was separated from his company. He followed in the rear of the company to the outskirts of YONGCH’ON.
At this point he joined his company which was acting as a rifle company. PW entered YONGCH’ON on 7 Sep 50. He was captured by ROK troops, in front of the RR station on 14 Sep 50. During the 50th Regt's march south, the 2nd Bn was to the front and right and the 3rd Bn was to the front and left of the 1st Bn. Disposition of other units was not known. PW could not remember dates or places. He states that he was always in the mountainous area and lost track of days or his location.
There were about 2,500 men in each Regt of the 15th Div when the Div left HOERYONG (會寧). PW estimated 700 men in each Inf Bn which was composed of 3 Rifle companies and one machinegun company and one 82mm mortar company. PW did not know the strength of rifle companies but his mortar company was composed of 60 men. When the PW joined his unit in the outskirts of YONGCH’ON 7 Sep 50 there were only 20 men left in his company. PW does not know the whereabouts of the 20 remaining men in his company. The composition and location of the other units was not known. Div CP was not known.
Equipment:
| 82mm Mortar Co - | 1 82mm mortar (M1937) |
| Rifle for each EM (M1891/30 with bayonet) | |
| 5 x carbines (M1938) | |
| TOKAREV Pistol for CO and Plt ldr |
Equipment of other units unknown.
Vehicles:
PW observed 8 x T-34/85 tanks on a mt road N of YONGCH’ON 30 Aug 50. He heard 7 of the 8 were disabled by US aircraft in YONGCH’ON. The remaining tank was captured by ROK troops in YONGCH’ON.
Supplies:
PW had no food except for squash and apples taken from the farms for 7 days prior to his capture. Supply route of ammo was not known. Riflemen were originally supplied with 50 rounds of ammo but did not know how supply was replenished.
Intentions:
Unit’s objective was not known. Heard from other PsW that the 1st Bn has been wiped out.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
