ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1623 4 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0974) 30 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | LEE, Pong Sop (李鳳燮) (이봉섭) |
| RANK: | Jr Sgt (下士) |
| AGE: | 23 |
| DUTY: | Asst Sqd Ldr |
| UNIT: | Security Forces, 104th Regt, 23rd Bn, Recon Plt, 2nd Sqd |
| EDUCATION: | SEOUL University - 2 years |
| OCCUPATION: | Student |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | KOSUNG (固城) (1130-1320) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 23 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HAMGYONG NAM-Do, HAMHUNG-Gun HWANGGUM-Ni #120-119 (咸鏡南道 咸興市 黃金里 一二0의 一一九) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | SEOUL, TONDAEMUN-Gu, CH’ANGSIN-DONG #640 (서울市 東大门区 昌信洞 六四0番地) |
| INTERROGATOR: | MORI (FEAF) |
PW was an English Literature student at SEOUL University. He spoke fluent English and Japanese. PW worked for US Army contractor in SEOUL as an interpreter in 46.
Was talkative but not observant. Seemed reliable and may have more information on conditions in SEOUL after capture by and NKPA.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
25 Jul 50 - Forced to join NKPA at SEOUL. Assigned to Security Forces, Regt, 23rd Bn, Recon Plt, Departed same day by train with 23rd Bn.
26 Jul 50 - Arrived SUWON (水原). Departed same day.
o/a 1 Aug 50 - Arrived TAEJON (大田) via SOJONG-Ni (西井利), CH’ONAN (天安), CHOCH’IWON. Departed next day on foot.
4 Aug 50 - Arrived MUJU via YONGDONG
8 Aug 50 - Arrived HWANGGAN (黃间)
11 Aug 50 - Arrived SOLCH‘ON (雪川). Departed on foot.
o/a 20 Aug 50 - Arrived CHINJU via KOCH’ANG through mountain trails. Remained 5 days dismounted drill. Recon Plt was engaged foraging for food. Guard duty for 10 days in a small village in the vicinity of CHINJU.
o/a 1 Sep 50 - Arrived SACH’ON (泗川). PW worked in Bn CP producing propaganda leaflets for NKPA troops.
12 Sep 50 - Departed SACH’ON on foot.
13 Sep 50 - Arrived PANSONG (班城) with 20 men of the 23rd Bn. Engaged in gathering abandoned weapons including US weapons and 500 rounds of US M1 rifle ammunition.
20 Sep 50 - Departed PANSONG on foot.
22 Sep 50 - Arrived KOSUNG (固城).
23 Sep 50 - Captured by US 65th Engr unit with one other soldier while hiding under bridge. Other members of the unit escaped.
Unit Organization and Strength:
Security Forces, 104th Regt consisted of the 14th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th Bns.
The 23rd Bn, apporox 400 men, consisted of the five (5) Rifle Co’s, Motor Co, HMG Co, Engr Plt, AT Gun Plt, Signal Plt, Recon Plt and a Medical Plt.
A regimental Culture officer was assigned to the 104th Regt and a Bn. Culture officer (Capt) to all Bns. The following culture officers were assigned directly under the Bn culture officer.
1. Planning Officer (Capt)
2. Communist Youth training officer (Jr Lt)
3. Attendance officer (Jr Lt)
4. Culture training officer (Capt)
A Co Culture officer was assigned to each company as asst Co CO. The Co Culture officers were directly under Bn Culture officer.
A tactical staff officer (Capt) was assigned to 23th Bn.
The present strength of the 23th Bn was estimated to be 600.
The 5th Co consisted of newly conscripted soldiers and were assigned to the 23rd Bn as reinforcements in early Sep 50.
Equipment:
The 23rd Bn was equipped it with only Japanese Type 99 rifles when they departed SEOUL.
As of 20th Sep 50, PW observed 2 US made HMG and 2 US bazooka's in unit.
Disposition:
The 104th Regt 14th Bn was stationed SAMCH’ONP’O (三千浦).
Communication:
Road conditions were poor and most bridges were out.
At CHINJU PW’s platoon was ordered to clean up battle fields and reclaim usable weapons. The 23th Security Bn received the 5th Rifle Co as reinforcements in every Sep 50.
PW stated that Security Force troops were not utilized to reinforce or replace NKPA units.
Personalities:
23rd Bn CO - PAK, Chong Song (박청성); Maj (小佐); Age30
Recon Plt Ldr - HWANG, Sok Kun (黃錫根); Jr Lt (小尉); Age 23.
Culture Officer, 23rd Bn - KANG, Ki Don (강기돈); Maj; Age 35.
Morale and Propaganda:
Morale of troops was neither high nor low but PW believed that the NKPA had lost the war, All troops were afraid of US aircraft attacks.
PW observed UN propaganda leaflets, concerning the INCH’ON Landing and a Safe Conduct Pass.
PW stated that the leaflet concerning the INCH’ON Landing was quite effective in lowing the morale of troops, but he could not completely believe the Safe Conduct Pass.
The NKPA propaganda was to the effect that:
1. The American are invading KOREA and at the same time to breaking the Charter of the United Nations.
2. The Japanese Army is now fighting for the ROK and the NKPA has captured a large number of Japanese.
4. GENERAL INFORMATION:Information on UN PsW: PW observed 60 PsW at SEOUL. The PW camp was located in the MUHAK Girl’s high school. (舞鶴女子中学校). PW heard that the US PsW received good meals, good living quarters, 20 cigarettes and beer every day.
PW stated that the former Minister of Internal Affairs KIM, Hyo Sok (金孝鍚) was sent to North KOREA.
The families and relatives of ROK officials or a military personnel was not arrested or ill treated after NKPA occupied SEOUL.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
