ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1548 2 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0923) 27 September 1950
PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | KWON Hyok So (權赫書) (권혁서) |
| RANK: | M/Sgt (特務上士) |
| AGE: | 29 |
| DUTY: | Medical Aideman |
| UNIT: | 5th Div, 10th Regt (Code #617), 2nd Bn, Medical Plt |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (6 yrs) |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 4 km E of AN’GAN-NI (1210-1450) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 22 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | CH’UNGCH’ONG PUKTO, UMSONG GUN, UMSONG MYON, UPNAERI (忠淸北道 陰城郡 陰城面 邑內里) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | MANCHURIA, CHILIN Province, WANGCH’ING Country, CH’UNTANG District, KUNGCHIA Village (挽住 吉林省 汪靑縣 春塘区 公宗村) |
| INTERROGATOR: | Cpl HORISHIGE (ATIS) |
PW was very cooperative and fairly intelligent. Stated that he surrendered after reading the surrender leaflets. His information seemed fairly reliable. Not recommended for further interrogation.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
| 22 Sep 47: | PW was inducted at YENTUNGSHAN CHILLIN Province, MANCHURIA (滿洲 吉林省 煙商山). PW was assigned to the Medical Plt, 2nd Bn, 72nd Independent Regt. Received no training because he already had 2 years of experience as a hospital orderly in a Japanese hospital in MANCHURIA (1938-1940). |
| 27 Oct 48: | Regt was ordered to SHINGCHING (新京), MANCHURIA. |
| Nov 48: | The 11th Independent. Div composed of Koreans residing in MANCHURIA was organized and the 72nd Ind Regt was attached. The 11th Ind Div remained in MANCHURIA until 22 Jul. 49. |
| 22 Jul 49: | 11th Ind Div departed SHINCHING, MANCHURIA by train for N. KOREA. No one knew, except the officers, that the 11th Div was going to N. KOREA. |
| 24 Jul 49: | 11th Ind Div arrived NANAM (羅南), N. KOREA. 11th Ind Div trained until one week before the outbreak of war. 11th Ind Div was redesignated as the 5th Div (composed of 10th, 11th, 12th Rifle Regts and an Arty Regt) in Mar 50. |
| Sep 49: | Promoted to M/Sgt. |
| o/a 1 Jun 50: | 5th Div turned in all the Japanese weapons brought from MANCHURIA, and received new Soviet weapons. PW did not know whether these Soviet weapons were sent from MANCHURIA or USSR. However, the officers told tbs troops that the weapons were manufactured in N. KOREA. |
| 18 Jun 50: | 10th Regt of the 5th Div departed NANAK by train. The troops were told that they are going on maneuver. PW did not know when the 11th, 12th and the Arty Regt departed NANAM. |
| 21 Jun 50: | The 10th Regt reached KANSONG (杆城) and remained there for two (2) days. |
| 23 Jun 50: | Advanced to YANGYANG (襄陽). |
| 250430 Jun 50: | 10th Regt crossed the 38° parallel. The troops were told that the war has started because the ROK army attacked N. KOREA. |
| o/a 21 Jul 50: | The 10th Regt reached ULCHIN (蔚珍). Prior to ULCHIN major engagements were fought at CHUMUNJIN (注汶津) and at a mountain located 10 km S of KANGNUNG (江陵). |
| o/a 25 Jul 50: | Fought at P’YONGHAE-RI (平海里) for 2 days. From P'YONGHAE-RI the Regt advanced to the West. |
| o/a 1 Aug 50: | The 10th Regt fought at CHINBO (眞寶) for two (2) days. There had been about 40 casualties in the 10th Regt as of o/a 3 Aug 50. |
| o/a 10 Aug 50: | Regt arrived YONGDOK (盈德) via CH'ONGSONG (靑松). Suffered 140 casualties in the week long fighting there. |
| o/a 18 Aug 50: | 10th Regt advanced to CH’ONGHA (靑下) and suffered 50 casualties in the three (3) days fighting. Received approx 500 replacements at CH’ONGHA. |
| o/a 21 Aug 50: | Advanced to KIGYE (杞溪) and fought here one day. |
| o/a 29 Aug 50: | Retreated to PIHAK-SAN (1210-1470) and fought there until 4 Sep 50. Suffered approx 200 casualties. |
| o/a 10 Sep 50: | Advanced to P’OHANG DOHG (浦項洞) and fought for four (4) days. |
| o/a 13 Sep 50: | The 10th Regt retreated to TALCHON-DONG (1230-1460). |
| o/a 15 Sep 50: | Moved to YAGOK (1230-1460). |
| o/a 17 Sep 50: | 10th Regt moved to a mountain located approx 2 km SE of AN’GANC-NI. |
| o/a 20 Sep 50: | At this time there were only about 600 troops in the 10th Regt. PW deserted. |
| 22 Sep 50: | PW surrendered to the BOK troops at a point approx 4 km E of AN'GANG-NI (1210-1450). |
Original Organization & Strength:
Composition of 10th Regt, 5th Div:
Three (3) Rifle Bns: (See composition of rifle Bn)
120mm Mortar Co: 90 men, 3 x trucks, 6 x 120mm mortars
76mm Howitzer Btry: About 90 men, about 6 x 76mm Howitzers
45mm AT gun Btry: About 80 men, about 6 x 45mm AT guns
Medical Co: About 6 medical officers and 40 EM
Signal Co: About 50 men armed with SMGs.
Signal Co: About 30 men
AA Plt: About 30 men
Supply Unit: About 100 men and 1 vehicle
Composition of Rifle Bn, 10th Regt:
Three (3) Rifle Cos: (See composition of Rifle Co)
82mm Mortar Co: 62 men, 9 x 82mm mortars
HMG Co: About 60 men
45mm AT gun Plt: About 20 men, 2 x 45mm AT guns
AT Rifle Plt: About 20 men, about 3 x AT rifles
Composition of Rifle Bn, 10th Regt:
Signal Plt: About 15 men
Medical Plt: 1 medical officer and 7 EM
Supply Plt: About 12 men
Composition of Rifle Co:
Three (3) Rifle Plts: About 50 men per plt, 4 x LMGs and 4 x SMGs in plt. Riflemen armed with M1891/30 rifles. Officers armed with pistols. HMG plt: About 30 men.
Last known composition of unit (As of 20 Sep 50):
10th Regt, 5th Div:
1st Bn: About 160 men (Mostly replacements)
2nd Bn: About 200 men (Mostly replacements)
2 x 82mm mortars, 3 x HMGs and 8 x LMGs
3rd Bn: About 160 men (Mostly replacements)
Vehicles: About five (5) captured US trucks
Ammunition: Ammunition was scarce. PW heard that ammunition dump was located in YONGDOK.
Communications:
The road along the eastern coast (YANGYANG to P’OHANG-DONG) was passable. However, vehicles could not move during the day, because of naval gunfire. Therefore, supplies were often delayed.
Personalities:
| Name: | KIM Chang Dok (金昌德) (김창덕) |
| Rank: | Maj Gen (少尉) |
| Age : | About 50 |
| Position: | CG, 5th Div |
| Remarks: | The former CG of the 11th Independent Div in MANCHURIA. Speaks Russian. |
| Name: | LEE Tok San (李德山) (이덕산) |
| Rank: | Sr Col (總佐) |
| Age : | About 38 |
| Position: | Political CG |
| Remarks: | Formerly from MANCHURIA. Speaks Russian. |
| Name: | PAK Chong Dok (朴正德) (박정덕) |
| Rank: | Col (總佐) (Probably promoted to Sr Col or Maj Gen) |
| Age : | About 35 |
| Position: | CO, 10th Regt |
| Remarks: | Formerly the CO of the 1st Regt, 11th Independent Div in MANCHURIA. Col PAK Chong Dok departed for SEOUL o/a 30 Aug 50. PW heard from officers that Col PAK Chong Dok was to take command a Div in SEOUL. |
| Name: | KYE U Song (桂祐成) (계우성) |
| Rank: | Lt Col (中佐) |
| Age : | About 26 |
| Position: | Chief of Staff (10th Regt) |
| Remarks: | Formerly in G-2 Section, 1st Regt, 11th Ind Div in MANCHURIA. Present CO of 10th Regt, 5th Div. |
| Name: | MUN Chang Su (文昌洙) (문창수) |
| Rank: | Sr Lt (大尉) |
| Age : | About 24 |
| Position: | Plt ldr (2nd Bn, 10th Regt) |
| Remarks: | Formerly in Medical Co, 1st Regt, 11th Ind Div in MANCHURIA. Education - primary school (4 yrs). |
Morale and Propaganda:
Morale of the troops has dropped due to heavy casualties. Most of the troops are replacements and have had little training. The officers did not prohibit the reading of surrender leaflets. However, the officers told the EK not to believe the contents of the leaflets. PW believes that the surrender leaflets would be very effective.
4. GENERAL:Medical EEI:
PW stated that the casualties were not receiving adequate treatment due to shortage of medicine and supplies. Wounded were sent to the rear on stretchers, ox-carts and pony carts. Medical supplies and medicine was mostly Soviet made. PW stated that the aidemen were issued weapons (mostly M1938 carbines). However, they did not use their weapons. The Red Cross Insignia was used on hospital buildings and vehicles in N. KOREA.
N. Korean Currency information:
One NK won - 10 SK won. PW received 12,000 won in South Korean currency (two months pay) o/a 1 Sep 50. PW's monthly pay was 6,000 won in N. KOREA.
Code No's:
10th Regt - 617
1st Bn - 111
2nd Bn - 222
3rd Bn - 333
The Code No of 5th Div (615) was changed to 65 o/a 25 Aug 50. PW heard this from a signal man in the Signal Co, 10th Regt.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
