ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1404 27 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0874) 23 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | HAN, Yong Gu (韓盈九) (한영구) |
| PW NO: | None |
| RANK: | Jr Sgt (下士) |
| AGE: | 20 |
| DUTY: | Asst Squad Leader |
| UNIT: | 9th Div, 2nd Regt, 2nd Bn, 1st Co, 2nd Plt, 2nd Sqd |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (6 years) |
| OCCUPATION: | Laborer (Cement Plant) |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | (exact location unknown) Midway between HYOPCH'ON and NAKTONG River |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 19 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | P'YONGAN PUKTO, SAKJU-GUN, SAKJU-MYON, ONCH'ON DONG #44 (平安北道朔州郡朔州面溫泉洞四四번지) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | P'YONGAN PUKTO, SAKJU-GUN, SUP'UNG-MYON, CHON-P'UNG DONG (平安北道朔州郡水豊面電豊洞) |
| INTERROGATOR: | Sfc INOMOTO (ATIS) |
PW cooperative and answered questions intelligently. Asserts that the NKPA will crumble in the very near future.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
14 Jul 49 - PW assigned to the recently activated NKPA infantry division, then known as the 51st Ind Brig, stationed at SINCH'ON. Brigade consisted of 6 x rifle battalions, plus organic service and supporting units. Brigade armed with Russian weapons (plus artillery).
Brigade gradually expanded to division size and redesignated 9th Div at outset of hostilities.
26 Jun 50 - 9th Div, in reserve, marched south towards KAESONG.
2 Jul 50 - 9th Div arrived SEOUL via KAESONG. 9th Div minus 3rd Regt patrolled the city of SEOUL for about a month. 3rd Regt was assigned to patrol duty in INCH'ON.
O/a 3 Sep 50 - 9th Div, minus 3rd Regt, crossed NAKTONG River on small wooden boats, at a point E of HYOPCH'ON (陜川). Div artillery pieces were observed on the E side of river, however. How artillery pieces were transported across river was unknown.
3rd Regt remained in INCH'ON and PW believes that this regt was part of the defenders at INCH'ON, site of the UN amphibious landing.
9th Div was in reserve all the way from SEOUL till after NAKTONG River crossing. PW recalls marching through TAEJON and KOCH'ANG.
It was reported at the time of 9th Div river crossing, that the 4th Div and another unidentified division had already established a firm bridgehead.
O/a 4 Sep 50 - Two regts of the 9th Div with personnel strength of about 2,500 each were committed for the first time in a night attack
20-25 km from the river crossing point. The 4th Div on the left and the 2nd Div on the right of the 9th Div attacked simultaneously. No NKPA tanks observed in the 9th Div's sector.
After a battle of about 2 weeks, 2nd Regt suffered heavy losses due to UN aerial attacks and artillery fire.
17 Sep 50 - 2nd Regt, down to about 1,000 men, ordered to withdraw W of the NAKTONG River. At time of 2nd Regt's withdrawal, elements of the 4th and 2nd Div remained in position.
Whereabouts of the 1st Regt, 9th Div at time of withdrawal unknown. 1st Regt was never seen since then.
2nd Regt crossed the river by small wooden boats and immediately headed towards KORYONG. According to PW's platoon leader, 2nd Regt was to receive replacements at KORYONG.
18 Sep 50 - Original plans were changed, apparently, because 2nd Regt headed towards HYOPCH'ON.
19 Sep 50 - 2nd Regt moved up approx 8 to 10 km E of HYOPCH'ON and prepared defensive positions on N ridge line overlooking a dirt highway.
1st Co, 2nd Bn, 2nd Regt surrounded by tank-supported US infantry. Eight (8), including PW, surrendered without a fight.
Combat Effective (2nd Regt, 9th Div):
| 18 Sep 50 | - Strength, | approximately 1,000 troops |
| - Weapons: | 6 × 76-mm Gun | |
| 3 × 82-mm Mortar (2nd Bn) | ||
| 6 × Maxim HMG (2nd Bn) | ||
| 3 × DP LMG (2nd Bn) |
Note: Very limited supply of artillery or mortar ammunition. No armor observed in HYOPCH'ON Sector.
Personalities:
CO, 9th Div - Name: CH'OE, Hyon (崔鉉) (최현)
Rank: Maj Gen (少將)
Age: 45
Remarks: Commanded division from Jul 49 to time of capture. Reported to have served with Communist Forces in NAMMANCHRIA.
Morale:
17 Sep 50 - Just before withdrawing across river, leaflets were dropped on the retreating NKPA troops by UN aircraft. Leaflets contained information on the successful UN INCH'ON landings, emphasizing the hopelessness of further resistance because of the fact that the new beachhead would disrupt all lines of communication and supply to the NKPA forces fighting on the PUSAN Beachhead.
Personnel of the 2nd Regt lost the will to fight after reading the leaflets.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
