ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1187 19 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (164 - MISDI - 0885) 17 September 1950
| PW NAME: | MUN, Won Kun (文元根) (문원근) |
| PW NO : | 63 NK 4024 |
| RANK : | Pvt |
| AGE : | 22 |
| DUTIES : | Rifleman |
| ORGN : | 7th Div, 3rd Regt (code no. 703), 3rd Bn, 7th Co, 2nd Plat, 3rd Sqd. 3rd Regt Code Names: "Operations Staff Officer" "Division Staff Officer" APO Number Unknown |
| EDUCATION: | 11 yrs |
| OCCUPATION: | Student |
| ADDRESS: | PYONGAN PUKTO, SONCH’ON GUN, KUNSAN MYON, YONGTONG #88 (平安北道 宣川郡 郡山面 龍洞 八八番地) |
| DATE & PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 15 Sep 50 at TEASAN MYON (1142-1382) |
| INTERROGATOR: | G.W.A |
| INTERROGATOR’S REMARKS: | Cooperative. Information somewhat limited, because PW was in NKPA for 2 months only. PW is of average intelligence, but has had more education than the average Korean and thus was in position to understand much of the military activities that he did have a chance to observe. |
7th Div is composed of 1st, 2nd, 3rd Rifle Regts, but has no Arty Regt.
7th Div, 3rd Regt, 3rd Bn, 8th Co, 1st Platoon.
a. Personnel:
(1) 4 sqds
(2) 10 men per sqd
(3) Total of 41 EM, 1 Jr Lt
b. Equipment and Ammunition:
(1) 5 x PPSH SMG’s
(2) 1 x pistol
(3) 36 x M1891/30 rifles, 70 rds per rifle
(4) Total of 7 grenades
c. 8th Co, 3rd Bn, 3rd Regt was originally composed of 3 rifle plats and a MG Plat. However, due to heavy casualties in the 3rd Bn, 3rd Regt, all 3 companies of the 3rd Bn were consolidated into the 7th Co, o/a 5 Sep 50 at TAESAN MYON.
Estimated Strength of PW's Unit:
| Unit | Original Strength | Present Strength (as of 14 Sep 50) |
| 7th Div, 3rd Regt, 3rd Bn, 7th Company: | Approx 130 men | 3 officers, 26 EM |
| 7th Div, 3rd Regt, 3rd Bn, 8th Company: | Approx 140 men | Unit no longer exist. |
| 7th Div, 3rd Regt, 3rd Bn, 9th Company: | Approx 140 men | Unit no longer exist. |
7th Div, 3rd Regt, 3rd Battalion:|Approx 800 men|Approx 60 men
7th Div Hq as well as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Rifle Regts were located in TAESAN GUN as of 14 Sep 50.
2. PERSONAL & UNIT HISTORY:Inducted on 7 Jul 50 at HAEJU into 7th Div, 3rd Regt, 1st Bn, MG Co, 2nd Plat, 4th Sqd. Trained as MG gunner for 15 days at HAEJU.
Departed with entire 3rd Regt from HAEJU on 29 Jul 50, by train arriving at TOSONG NI o/a 31 Jul 50.
Enroute to TAESAN MYON from TOSONG NI; he following places were passed:
| Place Departed | Date | Mode of Travel | Place Arr | Date |
| TOSONG NI | o/a 31 Jul 50 | Marched | KAESONG | 5 Aug 50 |
| KAESONG | 5 Aug 50 | 〃 | SEOUL | 6 Aug 50 |
| SEOUL | 6 Aug 50 | Crossed HAN RIVER Bridege | YONGDUNG PO | 6 Aug 50 |
| YONGDUNG PO | 9 Aug 50 | Marched | CHANGAN NI | 11 Aug 50 |
| CHANGAN NI | 11 Aug 50 | Truck | SUWON | 12 Aug 50 |
| SUWON | 12 Aug 50 | 〃 | TAEJON | 13 Aug 50 |
| TAEJON | 13 Aug 50 | 〃 | CHINJU | o/a 15 Aug 50 |
| CHINJU | o/a 16 Aug 50 | Marched | SACH'ON | 17 Aug 50 |
| SACH'ON | o/a 17 Aug 50 | 〃 | *CHUNGAM NI | o/a 20 Aug 50 |
| CHUNGAM NI | 26 Aug 50 | 〃 | TAESAN MYON | 2 Sep 50 |
* At CHUNGAM NI, PW’s Co (MG Co, 1st Bn, 3rd Regt, 7th Div) was redesignated the 8th Co, 3rd Bn, 3rd Regt, 7th Div and PW was assigned to the 2nd Sqd, 1st Plat, of the 8th Co. This action was taken because MG Co bad no machine guns.
At TAESAN MYON, 3rd Regt of the 7th Div, was shelled by Arty and attacked by aircraft, o/a 5 Sep 50. Such heavy casualties were inflicted that, all remaining personnel of the 3rd Bn, 3rd Regt, were consolidated into the 7th Co, 3rd Bn.
On 10 Sep 50, UN aircraft again inflicted an unknown number of casualties on the 3rd Regt.
On 11 Sep 50, the 3rd Regt attempted an attack on US Forces in the vicinity of TAESAN MYON, but was repulsed. At that time, PW picked up a "safe conduct pass," read it, and decided to surrender at the first opportunity.
On 13 and 14 Sep 50, the 3rd Regt made more unsuccessful attacks on the US army units. PW deserted and hid on an unidentified hill in TAESAN MYON during the night of 14 Sep 50 and surrendered to 35th RCT personnel, 15 Sep 50, when they occupied the hill.
3. ENEMY INTENTIONS:Objective of 7th Div was PUSAN via MASAN (as of 14 Sep 50).
Received no gas equipment or training.
Rumor: PW heard that Soviet troops had arrived at PYONGYANG. PW heard that MAO, Tse Tung sent 100 CCF airplanes during Aug 50 to North KOREA to aid the NKPA.
4. MORALE:Until 10 Sep 50, morale was high because personnel believed that final victory for the NKPA was only a couple of weeks away.
By 14 Sep 50, morale was perilously law because the 3rd Bn, 3rd Regt, 7th Div had suffered 93% casualties.
5. US PRISONERS OF WAR:Observed approx 70 US PsW crossing the HAN River from YONGDUNG PO to SEOUL over a rubber-boat pontoon bridge on 6 Aug 50. Rubber boats had iron sheets laid on top of them. 2½ ton trucks easily crossed bridge.
6. MISCELLANEOUS:PW’s father, who is a North Korean farmer, has found living difficult since he was "liberated" by the Soviets in 1945. He originally owned 1 3/4 "Chongbo" of land under the Japanese regime but was allowed to keep only 1½ "Chongbo" under the Communist government. According to official announcements by the North Korean People's Republic, he may keep 75% of his annual crops. Actually he was allowed to keep less than 40% of it.
FOR THE AC OF S, G-2:
SAKAMOTO
