ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1635 4 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0985) 1 October 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | YU, Hyong Won (劉亨元) (유형원) |
| PW NO: | None |
| RANK: | Pvt (戰士) |
| AGE: | 22 |
| DUTY: | Combat Engr |
| UNIT: | 9th Div, Engr Bn (Code No 315), 2nd Co, 2nd Plt, 3rd Sqd |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School - 6 years |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 8 km S of CH'OGYE (草溪) (1120-1400) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 28 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HAMGYONG NAM-Do, PUKCH'ONG-Gun, SINBUKCH'ONG-Myon YANGCHON-Ni No. 2198 (咸鏡南道 北靑郡 新北靑面 楊川里 二一九八) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same as above |
| INTERROGATOR: | S/Sgt NAKAYAMA (FEAF) |
PW was captured by US and ROK soldiers. Very cooperative and answered questions without hesitation.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:6 Feb 50 - PW inducted, P'YONGYANG (平壤). Took basic training for 1 month consisting of dismounted drill, road and bridge construction, political indoctrination and calisthenics. Completed training and was assigned to 2nd Sqd, 2nd Plt, 2nd Co, Engr Bn. Total strength, 170 men.
20 Mar 50 - Departed P'YONGYANG and arrived SEOUL 15 Jul. The entire 170 men of Engr Bn was transferred to 9th Div, Engr Bn, 2nd Co, 2nd Plt, 3rd Sqd. 150 fresh conscripts were assigned to Engr Bn and given training, dismounted drill and rifle marksmanship.
9 Sep 50 - Arrived TAEJON.
16 Sep 50 - Arrived HYOPCH'ON.
17 Sep 50 - Arrived 8 km S of CH'OGYE (草溪). For 10 days the entire unit hid in the hills during the day due to air attacks by US planes.
27 Sep 50 - 1st Regt, 9th Div with 900 men crossed the NAKTONG River with YONGSAN (靈山) as their objective. 2nd Plt, 2nd Co of Engr Bn with 25 men followed the 1st Regt half hr behind. ROK and US Forces located the position and started attack with machine guns and rifle fire. PW actually saw 3 x US tanks given fire support from the rear. The fate of 1st Regt was unknown. Two out of 25 men of 2nd Plt, 2nd Co, Engr Bn succeeded in escaping across the NAKTONG (洛東) River but later were captured by US-ROK soldiers 8 km S of CH'OGYE. 23 men from 2nd Plt, 2nd Co, Engr Bn were killed and 2 taken prisoner.
| Composition of Unit: | Original |
| Engr Bn, 9th Div | 320 men |
| 2nd Co, Engr Bn | 85 men |
| 2nd Plt, 2nd Co | 25 men |
Equipment for Engr Bn, 9th Div: (Original)
36 PPsh M1943
90 AT Mine
5 ZIS-151 truck
Effectiveness of Unit:
Training and Experience: PW was trained as a combat engineer, specialized in road and bridge building.
Morale:
PW's morale was low from the beginning due to US air attacks, no reinforcements or replacements, lack of food, excessive fatigue and no weapons. He deduced that this war would end in defeat for the NPKA due to lack of air support to counter the US aircraft. He watched for an opportunity to escape but the NCOs and officers kept close watch on the men.
4. PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS:PW believes only 10% of the NK Army personnel possessed a spontaneous will to fight. Most of them were officers and Communist EM.
PW feared fighter planes and tanks the most.
PW believes that RUSSIA will not send any replacements of weapons to NKPA because RUSSIA probably realized that the NKPA campaign against the UN Forces will end in failure and everything RUSSIA invested would be wasted.
80-90% of NKPA soldiers would surrender if they could do so.
LEAFLETS:
PW had Safe Conduct Pass in his possession until he was captured. It was taken away when he was taken to MIRYANG MP Hq (ROK).
He believed in the Safe Conduct Pass. Practically all the personnel in the unit believed what was printed on the pass.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
