ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1376 26 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (163 - MISDI - 0105) 20 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | Chai Chan Ya |
| PW NO: | 1st M-P-533 |
| RANK: | Lieutenant |
| DUTY: | Company Commander |
| UNIT: | 4th Co, (Co) 2nd Bn, 78th Regt |
| UNIT CODE NO: | #567 - formerly #569 |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 10 Km SW of SEOUL |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 20 Sep 50, 1200 hrs. |
| CAPTURING UNIT: | 5th Marines |
| INTERROGATOR: | M. M. |
PW’s was very intelligent and had good knowledge evaluation.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:a. Chronology: PW entered the officer's school. in PYONG YONG. He had 3 months schooling and graduated on 16 May 1950 and went to SARIWON. Here, he was commissioned Lieutenant and became the CO of the 4th Co) 2nd Bn of the 78th Regt. PW stayed as CO of the 4th Co, until the date he was captured.
b. Unit organization and strength:
The 78th Regt was organized on or about 16 May, 1950 at SARIWON, KOREA. This 76th Regt was composed of the following:
78th Regt: three Inf Bn. One Bn composed of three Inf Co. (one machine gun Co - one mortar Co.) One Co composed of three Inf Plt (one machine gun Co)
Note: One independent Plt was in each Bn as a 45 mm Antitank Crew. (16 men)
| Strength: | 78th Regt: approx. 2000 men |
| 1 Bn: 660 men | |
| Inf Co: 150 men | |
| MG and Mortar Co: 70 men | |
| (see sketch A for breakdown of 78th Regt) |
1. Battle Organization: The 2nd Bn had an estimated strength of 660 men. The 1st Bn of 78th Regt was to come to the SONG SAN KI area around Sept 21, 1950. The 3rd Bn as also scheduled to come to the 2nd Bn (strength of 660 men) sector at a later date; therefore, only the 2nd Bn ws in the area where the PW was captured. No other units were known around the SONG-SAN NI area.
2. Last Composition of Unit: 2nd Bn arrived in SONG-SAN NI area early (time unknown) 20 Sept 1950. Over one fourth of the 2nd Bn men were killed or wounded. The estimated amount of men that retreated was unknown; however, approximately 200 men of the 2nd Bn surrendered and are now POW’s.
c. Equipment: Equipment and weapons of the 78th Regt are as follows:
2nd Bn
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Inf Co:
8 Sub-machine guns, the rest all M1891/30 rifles; plus unknown amount of pistols.
4th, Machine Gun Co:
4 machine guns (600 rds per gun), 55 rifles M1891/30 (40 rds to 60 rds of ammo per person), and unknown amount of pistols.
5th Mortar Co:
2 Mortars at present (82 mm)
NOTE: PW stated that 5th mortar Co was short on mortar ammunition. 2nd Bn had no tanks or artilleries.
d. Unit Duties: 2nd Bn was ordered to SONG SAN NI area to protect this area in ease UN Forces made an invasion at INCHON. 2nd Bn did not knew there was a battle going on in INCHON, until departing from the train approx. 4 Km NW of SEOUL.
e. Disposition: 2nd Bn of 78th Regt was scattered in the hills of SONG SAN NI.
f. Intention: No order was given to the 2nd Bn except for them to protect the HAN river area near SONG SAN NI and also the surrounding mountains.
g. Knowledge of other Unit: PW stated 1st Bn (and maybe 3rd Bn) should be in tho CHANG CHON NI area within one day or earlier.
NOTE: Remark on the 3rd Bn was a long shot guess by the PW. He heard that the 1st Bn was to follow the 2nd Bn at a later date.
h. Personalities:
Own Unit: The 2nd Bn commanding officer was called: Kim Hun Ju Rank: Captain
NOTE: Bn C.O. hold the rank of Captain due to the fact that he was sick and was hospitalized in SARIWON, KOREA. PW stated that Bn C.O. were usually Majors.
i. Morale: PW' s morale was high because he was a POW. Unit morale was fair due to the fact that when the 2nd Bn left SARIWON, KOREA, they were only told to watch the SONG SAN NI area, upon reaching this area they were not told that the UN Force made an invasion and were near this area, fighting the NK Army.
FOR THE AC OF S G-2:
UYEDA
78th Regiment Breakdown
