ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1645 4 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0995) 2 October 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | KIM, Yong Ha (金龍河) (김용하) |
| RANK: | Jr Lt (小尉) |
| AGE: | 23 |
| DUTY: | Plt Ldr |
| UNIT: | TAEJON 39th Ind Brigade, 120-mm Montar Bn, 2nd Co, 2nd Plt |
| EDUCATION: | Primry School - 6 yrs |
| OCCUPATION: | Water Dept Laborer |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | CH’ONGJU (淸州) (1040-1530) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 28 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | P’YONGAN PUK-To, CH’ANGSON-Gun, CH’ANGJU-Myon, SO SONG-DONG (平安北道 昌城郡 昌洲面 西城洞) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | P’YONGAN PUKTO, SAKCHU-Gun SUP’UNG-Myon. SONGP’UNG-Dong (平安北道 朔州郡 水豊面 松豊洞) |
| INTERROGATOR: | MORI (FEAF) |
PW was evasive and tried to give false information at first, but later relaxed and talked freely. PW bluntly stated that he still believed in Communism. He is a registered member of the North Korean Labor Party Central Committee at P’YONGYANG. However, PW averred he has no intention of fighting for the cause of Communism in the future.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
14 Feb 46 - Joined the Korean Volunteer Army, which was directly under the CCF 8th Route Army, at K’UAN-TIEN HSIEN (寬句縣), MANCHURIA.
25 Fab 46 - Assigned to the LEE, HONG GWANG unit (李紅光支隊) at T‘UNG-HUA (통화), (LEE HONG GWANG is name of a Korean Revolutionist). Unit engaged in mopping up T’UNG-HUA Area for one year.
Sep 47 - The LEE, HONG GWANG unit (Div strength, over 10,000 men) fought against the Chinese Nationalist Forces in vicinity of T’UNG-HUA for approx 15 months.
24 May 49 - Departed T’UNG-HUA. by train with 2,000 men of the LEE HONG GWANG unit.
25 May 49 - Arrived NAMSINUIJU (南新義州). The 2,000 men received two months’ 82-mm Mortar training.
25 Jul. 49 - PW and approx 1,000 men assigned to NKPA 6th Div, 15th Regt, 120-mm Mortar Co, 1st Plt, 1st Sqd. PW promoted to Jr Sgt (下士). Received 8 months‘ training on the 120-mm Mortar.
5 Mar 50 - Promoted to M/Sgt (特務上士). Assumed supply duties for the 120-mm Mortar Co.
29 May 50 - Departed NAMSINUIJU (南新義州) by train with the 6th Div (approx 12,000 men).
31 May 50 - Arrived KUMCH’ON (金川) with 6th Div. Departed same day by truck.
31 May 50 - Arrived at valley located 28 km S of KUMCH’ON. The 6th Div assembled at this point.
24 Jun 50 - The 6th Div departed from this valley. Arrived at point Just N of the 38° Parallel, 12 km NW of KAESONG (開城).
25 Jun 50 - 0400 hrs, the NKPA first opened artillery fire against ROK Forces across the 38° Parallel. Arrived At N bank of the HAN River via KAESONG. The 6th Div crossed the HAN River on NLP pontoon bridge rafts and A-3 pneumatic floats in a period of 4 days.
29 Jun 50 - Arrived at KUMP’O. After 2 days of combat, the 6th Div, 15th Regt captured the KUMP’O Airfield.
4 Jul 50 - Arrived YONGDUNGP’O. The 15th Regt captured YONGDUNGP’O after 5 days combat. Approx 500 casualties in the 15th Regt. The Regt was also attacked by US aircraft during the above fighting, A Regt of the 6th Div by this time, captured SEOUL.
9 Jul 50 - The 15th Regt departed YONGDUNGP’O on foot.
9 Jul 50 - Arrived SUWON (水原). Departed same day.
18 Jul 50 - Arrived PUYO (扶餘) via P‘YONGTAEK and ONCH’ON-Ni. Stayed one day. During this march the 15th Regt was attacked on the average of three times a day by US F-80 jets. Only one casualty in Regt.
21 Jul 50 - The 15th Regt arrived at point 4 km N of I-Ri (裡里) via NONSAN. Stayed one day.
26 Jul 50 - Arrived at point 13 km S of KWANGJU (光州). Stayed one day. Departed with 15th Regt on foot.
1 Aug 50 - Arrived SUNCH’ON (順天). One day combat with ROK Forces.
7 Aug 50 - Arrived HADONG (河東). Two days combat with US Forces.
14 Aug 50 - Arrived at point 14 km W of MASAN. The 6th Div was counter-attacked by US Forces at this point.
20 Aug 50 - PW transferred from 6th Div, 6th Div was still engaged with US forces. Two thirds of 6th Div personnel killed or wounded. PW went to TAEJON by truck and from there departed for SEOUL by train.
4 Sep 50 - Arrived SEOUL.
5 Sep 50 - Commissioned Jr Lt. Assigned to TAEJON 39th Ind Brigade, 120-mm Mortar Bn, 2nd Co, 2nd Plt. Assumed duty as Plt Ldr.
9 Sep 50 - Arrived TAEJON by train with 34 members of the Brigade Mortar Bn.
15 Sep 50 - Organized the Brigade with newly recruited men (approx 8,000 men).
19 Sep 50 - Started training the 8,000) men. PW was an instructor on the mortar. Actual training was not carried out due to shortage of equipment.
25 Sep 50 - Departed for field training with no weapons with the 8,000 men of Brigade on foot.
26 Sep 50 - Arrived CHOCH'IWON (鳥致院)
27 Sep 50 - Arrived at point 4 km W of CH’ONGJU. The Brigade heard that CH’ONGJU was captured by the US Forces. The Brigade became disorganized and PW with the 120-mm Mortar Co retreated toward the west.
PW and one other soldier met a member of the ROK Hone Defense Force during this retreat and were talked into surrendering to US Forces.
28 Sep 50 - PW surrendered to US Forces at CH’ONGJU.
Unit Organization and Strength:
The 39th Ind Brigade (8,000 men) consisted of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th，6th Rifle Bns and a 120-mm Mortar Bn with approx 600 men per battalion. The 120-mm Mortar Bn (190 men) consisted of three companies.
On 27 Sep 50, the Brigade became disorganized in area W of CH’UNGJU, and retreated to the NW in small groups. No casualties in this Brigade as of 27 Sep 50.
The 39th Brigade officers consisted of Brigade CO (Sr Col), Asst CO (Col), Chief of Staff (Col), Operations Officer (Lt Col), Supply Officer (Lt Col), Propaganda Officer (Capt).
The Bn officers were as follows: Bn CO (Maj), Asst CO (Capt), Chief of Staff (Capt), Culture Officer (Capt), Young Men's Communist Organization Officer (Lt).
Equipment:
No arms except pistols oarried by officers. There wore 3 US jeeps in the 39th Ind Brigade.
Unit History:
The 39th Ind Brigade was activated at TAEJON (大田), 15 Sep 50. Most officers of this unit had been wounded and had recovered. The Brigade was disorganized while still in training due to the rapid advance made by the US Forces.
Disposition:
As of 26 Sep 50, supplies were transported to a supply dump located in a RR tunnel, 16 km W of KUMCH’ON, from other RR tunnels located to the north.
Communication:
The 39th Ind Brigade received orders from the GHQ Field Hqs. Means of communication was unknown.
Intentions:
The 39th Ind Brigade was to regroup at WONJU and head northward for KOWON-Ni by Bn’s. KOWON-Ni could not be located on the map. Further intentions were unknown.
Knowledge of Other Units:
PW heard that there were more than fifty training Brigades organized in South KOREA mostly in the larger towns. Also heard that five Brigades were being activated in SEOUL alone.
Personalities:
No knowledge of personalities of the 39th Brigade.
PW heard that CHO, Kwang (趙光); Col (大佐); who was formerly CO of the 15th Regt, 6th Div was, as of 5 Sep 50, commanding officer of a brigade at SEOUL.
Morale and Propaganda:
Morale of the troops of 39th Ind Brigade was low due to lack of equipment, and experience. Air raids were also a great cause of low morale. PW never observed UN propaganda leaflets. NKPA propaganda consisted of the following:
1. The Americans plan to colonize KOREA to obtain an economic market.
2. The USSR will lead the NKPA to victory, We will never go wrong as long as we have faith in RUSSIA.
4. GENERAL:1. PW stated that as of 28 Aug 50, a group of Russian Military Advisors were observed at advanced NKPA GHQ located in a large temple, 40 km NW of KUMCH'ON (金泉).
PW stated that there had been 800 casualties per 1,000 men.
The 6th Div, 15th Regt (approx 2,300 men) consumed 11 sacks of rice per meal. PW stated that 70 rounds of rifle a ammunition were distributed to each man for one day’s combat and 80 mortar shells per 120-mm Mortar for one combat day.
Supply was never adequate. The 120-mm Mortars were made in ‘45. No now weapons observed.
PW joined the Chinese Communist Party at T’UNG-HUA, MANCHURIA in Jan 48. Transforred to North Korean Labor Party (Korean Communist Party) in May 49.
PW’s party card number was 884393. He had this card during army life but was told to destroy the card by a ROK Home Defence member when he was talked into surrendering.
PW stated that the card issued was to be kept forever and never destroyed. If the card was ever misplaced, solder was subject to court martial.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
