ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1278 24 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0864) 21 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | HONG, Song Ch’ol (홍성철) (洪性哲) |
| PW NO: | 63 NK 4472 |
| RANK: | Pvt (戰士) |
| AGE: | 32 |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| UNIT: | 3rd Div, 8th Regt, 3rd Bn, 3rd Co, 1st Plt, 4th MG Sqd |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (6 years) |
| OCCUPATION: | Photographer |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 4 km E of WAEGWAN (倭館) (1142-1453) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 19 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HAMGYONG NAM DO HAMHUNG, CHICHANG-NI, 2 KU #12 (咸鏡南道 咸興市 智昌里 二区 一二) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | HAMGYONG NAMDO, HAMHUNG, HAEPANG-NI, 1 KU #78 |
| INTERROGATOR: | S/Sgt LEE (FEAF) |
PW never was in favor of the present war and decided to desert as soon as possible. PW deserted his Co 14 Sep 50, and started thru the mountains toward UN Lines. PW surrendered to UN Forces 19 Sep 50.
PW was sincere although information was limited. PW was very cooperative. PW is not recommended for further interrogation.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
5 Aug 50 - PW was inducted into the army at HAMHUNG (咸興). PW along with 2,250 men received 10 days basic training.
16 Aug 50 - PW with 2,250 replacements departed by rail from HAMHUNG for SEOUL making stopovers at various places and hiding during the day because of aircraft strafing and finally arrived at SEOUL 30 Aug 50.
31 Aug 50 - PW departed, forded the HAN River then boarded a troop train, passed thru SUWON (水原) to P'YONGT'AEK (平澤). Arrived 2 Sep 50. PW departed from P'YONGT'AEK 3 Sep 50, by rail, arrived at T'AEJON (大田) 5 Sep 50. While at T'AEJON RR Station, UN fighter aircraft made a 'pass' right over the troop train but did not fire.
At T'AEJON PW's unit of 2,250 men was strengthened by 1,200 more replacements, making it a total of 3,450 men. PW departed TAEJON 6 Sep 50, marched and arrived YONGDONG (永同) 7 Sep 50.
8 Sep 50 - PW departed YONGDONG, marched - arrived at KUMCH’ON (金泉) 9 Sep 50.
PW departed for the NAKTONG River front opposite WAEGWAN (倭館) arrived 10 Sep 50. The 3,450 replacements were then assigned to various Regts within the 3rd Div. PW crossed the NAKTONG River 13 Sep 50. PW deserted his Co 14 Sep 50, and surrendered 19 Sep 50.
Original Organization and Strength: Unknown.
Equipment:
All men armed with M1391/30 rifles with 2 F-1 and RG-42 hand grenades each. Squad and platoon leaders are armed with PPsh M1941 SMG. PW saw 10 x 120-mm M1938 Heavy Mortars east of the NAKTONG River in WAEGWAN Area 13 Sep 50. Also approx 10 x 76-mm M1943 Howitzers E of NAKTONG River. 3 x 57-mm M1943 AT Gun east of NAKTONG River in WAEGWAN area 13 Sep 50.
PW saw 12 x T-34/85 tanks east of NAKTONG River in WAEGWAN Area 13 Sep 50. PW also heard from troops that there were about 100 Russian tanks in the 3rd Div.
Unit History: Unknown.
Disposition: Unknown.
Communications:
RR is repaired as fast as they are bombed. Work gangs work by nights and usually repair damaged rail lines overnight.
Intentions:
Unit objective - T'AEGU (大邱).
Morale and Propaganda:
Food situation fair. PW heard from his squad leader that winter uniforms were being made in SEOUL. PW heard from a friend that there were propaganda leaflets. PW was happy when he was informed of the contents of the Propaganda Leaflets.
Troop morale was very low, due to the food situation, lack of equipment and. PW thinks that they are still fighting a lost cause. Majority of the NK troops are still fighting because of their fear of being shot and threatened retaliation on their families.
4. REMARKS:The most feared weapon is the fighter aircraft.
Medical supplies are very critical. PW heard from a medical friend that medical units from SEOUL are going as far north as HAMHUNG for what small medical supplies they have.
At P'YONGYANG (平壤) good quality rice costs 1,600 WON (NK) for 25 pounds.
At HAMHUNG (咸興) it costs only 900 WON (NK) for 25 pounds. This was as of 16 Aug 50.
NK does not have any cigarettes because of lack of paper. Stores do not have any cigarettes to sell to civilians.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
