ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1521 30 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0941) 28 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | KIM Ki Ch’ol (金基哲) (김기철) |
| RANK: | Jr Sgt (下士) |
| AGE: | 17 |
| DUTY: | Medical Aideman |
| UNIT: | 15th Div, 45th Regt, 2nd Bn, Medical Plt |
| EDUCATION: | 9 yrs |
| OCCUPATION: | Student |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | TOBYONG NI (道平里) (1190-1490) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 25 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HAMGYONG PUKTO, HAKSONG GUN, HAKNAM MYON, UNHORI #1118 (咸鏡北道 鶴城郡 鶴南面 銀湖里 一一一八番地) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | HAMGYONG PUKTO, SONGJIN, YONHORI #58 (咸鏡北道 城津市 延湖里 五八番地) |
| INTERROGATOR: | NAGAO (FEAF) |
PW deserted his unit and surrendered to the ROK forces. Not recommended for further interrogation.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
| 19 Mar 50: | PW was inducted into the NKPA at HOERYONG (會寧) and received one month training on the construction and destruction of bridges and received two months training as medical aideman. |
| 25 Jun 50: | PW was assigned to the Medical Co of the 4th Regt, 15th Div and departed HOERYONG by train. |
| 29 Jun 50: | The Medical Co, Transportation Co, Supply Plt and Veterinary Plt of the 15th Div arrived at CH'ORWON. They immediately departed on a street-car for KUMHWA. All the major units of the Div were gathered there. |
| 30 Jun 50: | All the units of the Div received rations and ammunition and departed KUMHWA on foot. |
| Date unk: | Div arrived at YOJU via HWACH’ON (華川) and CH’UNCH’ON and immediately replaced the 12th Div in combat. |
| Date unk: | The Div arrived at CHANGHOWON-NI (長湖院里) after Encountering light resistance. However, PW heard that the 49th Regt met stiff resistance in CHANGHOWON-NI and lost approximately one-third of its troops. |
| Date unk: | The Div arrived at KOESAN and encountered very light resistance. They departed immediately and encountered US forces 32 km South of KOESAN. PW heard that the 15th Div lost an average of 20 men from each battalion. |
| Date unk: | The Div arrived at KUMCH’ON and engaged in battle with the ROK forces but casualties were light. |
| Date unk: | Arrived at P’ALGONG SAN (八公山) and Engaged in a fierce battle with the ROK forces. PW heard the Div lost more than one half of its force there. The Div was pulled out of combat and replaced by the 3rd Div. |
| Date unk: | The remnants of the Div arrived at KUNWI for reorganization. Approximately 600 replacements arrived from NK to join the Div. PW was promoted to Jr Sgt (下士) from Pvt (戰士) and was assigned to the Medical Plt, 2nd Bn, 45th Regt, 15th Div. |
| Date unk: | After receiving replcements at KUNWI, the Div arrived at YONGCH’ON (永川). Enroute from KUNWI, they met light resistance 40 km North of YONGCH’ON. In YONGCH’ON, the 15th Div was engaged in battle for 5 days and sustained casualties amounting to 700 men. |
| 19 Sep 50: | The 15th Div retreated to a point 32 km NE of YONGCH’ON and again received 300 replacements from the SK Volunteer Corps. |
| 24 Sep 50: | Received orders to retreat but artillery shells started falling and the 15th Div became disorganized. |
| 25 Sep 50: | PW and two men from his Medical Plt came down the mountain at TOBYONG NI, (道坪里) and surrendered to the ROK forces. |
Last known composition of unit:
PW believes the total strength of the 15th Div was 3,000 men as of 24 Sep 50.
Equipment:
As of 24 Sep 50 the PW observed 2 x 122mm Howitzers, one LMG, one HMG and 5 x 82mm mortars at TOBYONGNI. The Medical Plt, 2nd Bn, 45th Regt, 15th Div was composed of 4 men (as of 24 Sep 50) armed with rifles and 100 rounds of ammunition.
Intentions:
The mission of the 15th Div was to capture TAEGU.
Morale and Propaganda:
Heavy casualties, repeated withdrawals, lack of food and equipment were some of the leading factors in lowering the morale of the troops. Replacements received from the SK Volunteer Corps completely lacked the will to fight. Greatest number of casualties was inflicted by artillery fire and the troops were most afraid of the artillery. PW once captured a ROK soldier in YONGCH’ON and heard about the PW treatment in SK. He also received a US propaganda leaflet from the ROK and 20,000 won after he agreed to release him without turning him over to his officers. PW states that the captured ROK solider greatly influenced him in deserting his unit and surrendering to the ROK forces.
4. GENERAL:PW observed 3 US negro soldiers being evacuated to SEOUL at a point 32 km South of KOESAN (槐山). All troops were given cholera and dysentery immunization injections in combat areas.
For the Commanding Officer;
WEELDREYER
Executive
