ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1557 2 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0957) 29 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | NAM Pong Ch’on (南鳳天) (남봉천) |
| RANK: | Pvt (戰士) |
| AGE: | 20 |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| UNIT: | 98th Ind Regt, 1st Bn, 1st Co, 1st Plt, 2nd Sqd |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (6 yrs) |
| OCCUPATION: | Linotype apprentice |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 2 km E of HYOPCH’ON (陜川) (1110-1460) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 26 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HWANGHAEDO, PYOKSONG GUN, TAECHA MYON, UNTONG NI (黃海道 碧城郡 代車面 隐東里) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | HWANGHAEDO, SINCH’ON GUN, KASAN MYON, PAEKSONG NI (黃海道 信川郡 加山面 白石里) |
| INTERROGATOR: | S/Sgt NAKAYAMA (FEAF) |
PW was very cooperative and of normal intelligence, but was not observant and had a poor memory. Answered questions without hesitation. PW surrendered to US soldiers when he got separated from his officers.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
| 5 Aug 50: | PW was inducted into NKPA at SARIWON (沙里院). Built barracks to quarter 70 men. Was assigned to the 98th Ind Regt, 76mm Gun Co, Command Plt, Reconnaissance Sqd. |
| 10 Aug 50: | PW and 70 men began training, dismounted drill, and how to measure distance by calculating with thumb and fingers. |
| 1 Sep 50: | Departed SARIWON and arrived CHONGBANGSAN (正方山) and built barracks. 98th Regt Hq was located in a temple on the hill near CHONGBANGSAN. |
| 3 Sep 50: | Departed CHONGBANGSAN to SARIWON, to SINMAK (新幕) by train. Arrived there 4 Sep 50. Reorganized strength 1,000 men. |
| 4 Sep 50: | Departed SINMAK by train and arrived KAESONG (開城) 5 Sep 50. |
| 7 Sep 50: | Departed KAESONG on root and arrived SEOUL (京城) marching to TAEJON (大田) arriving 15 Sep 50. 20 men deserted enroute. |
| 16 Sep 50: | Departed TAEJON on root and arrived in KUMCH’ON (金泉) 18 Sep 50. 20 men sent to hospital for malaria and dysentary. |
| 19 Sep 50: | Departed KUMCH'ON and arrived KORYONG (高靈) on 21 Sep 50. The total strength of 98th Ind Regt was 950. NANAM (羅南) Unit was also here with strength of approximately 1,000 men. |
| 22 Sep 50: | Departed KORYONG together with NANAM Unit and marched to 2 km E of HYOPCH'ON (陜川). The strength of 98th Ind Regt and the NANAK unit was approximately 1950 men who were without weapons or ammunition. In the 98th Regt there were only 3 rifles. Total of 4 rifles in entire regiment as of 26 Sep 50. CO, 1st Bn, 98th Regt issued orders to retreat. The troops scattered all over the area. The regimental. commander and the battalion commander escaped ahead or the troops. |
| 26 Sep 50: | PW and 11 others surrendered to UN forces. |
Composition of Unit:
98th Regt was composed of 2 battalions, 1st Bn was composed of 2 companies, 1st Co was composed of 4 platoons, 1st Plt was composed or 4 squads.
Unit duties:
The 98th Regt was scheduled to go into combat at HYOPCH'CN but due to lack of weapons and equipment, the troops were ordered to retreat.
Training:
All the personnel of 98th Regt took basic training and efficiency was fair, but due to lack of weapons could not fight.
Morale:
PW’s morale was low due to excessive fatigue, insufficient food, inadequate quarters and no combat equipment. From the day he was conscripted in the NKPA he objected to combat. Morale remained low until captured.
4. GENERAL:Psychological factors:
30% of the military personnel possessed the will to fight to the end. They were mostly officers and NCOs. PW feared aircraft the most.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
