ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1699 9 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADV ECH ATIS - 0008) 8 October 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | KIM, Chong Hyok |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| DUTY: | Ammo Bearer |
| UNIT: | 1st Bn 45mm Arty Co, 1st Plt, attached to a Brig |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | PONGILCH ONNI |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 1 Oct 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | WHANG HEDO JE RYONGKUN UN RYONG MYON SHIN CHANG RI #329 |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same as above |
| INTERROGATOR: | Cpl MIYOSHI |
PW was in good physical condition. Attended primary school from Mar 1935 to Mar 1938 at his birth place.
PW was cooperative, however, was unable to give detailed information due to short period of service. Information may not be reliable due to PW’s uncertainty of men and equipment in each company of the 1st Bn.
PW and seven other men surrendered on 1 Oct 50 at PONGILCH ONNI when UN forces encountered the 1st Bn.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
PW was forced into the army on Aug 15, 1950 and was assigned to the 45mm Arty Co which was stationed at KUM CHON (NK). Due to air bombardment by the UN forces, the troops took cover in the mountains. The 45mm Arty Co of the 1st Bn was not equipped with any arty pieces and they received their basic training with wooden guns. The training ended on Sep 18, 1950. PW went with the 1st Bn to IL SAN after the completion of basic training. 1st Bn reached IL SAN on 20 Sep 1950, and stayed there for two days. At IL SAN the Bn was armed with one artillery piece and rifles. 1st Bn departed IL SAN on 22 Sep 1950 and went to PONGILCH ONNI where the 1st Bn was encountered by the UN forces.
Unit Organization and Strength:
The original organization and strength of the 1st Bn consisted of approx 670 men. The Bn consisted of one Arty Co, one HMG Co, one Rifle Co, one Eng Co, one Anti-tank Co, one Mortar Co, one anti-tank Arty Co, and one Sniper Co. The 1st Bn was newly formed at KUM CHON on 15 Aug 50.
Equipment: The equipment of the 1st Bn consisted of one 45mm Arty piece with 30 rds, 126 rifles with 200 rds each, 12 HMG, 40 sub machine guns, and three 82mm mortar rounds (No mortars). PW heard the Anti-tank Arty Co and Anti-tank Co had no arms whatsoever. PW stated all the equipment was of Russian make.
Unit duties:
Take defensive position at PONGILCH ONNI
Dispositions:
PW heard that the Brig Hq to which the 1st Bn was attached was located at KUMCHON (SK) prior to PW’s capture on 1 Oct 50.
Communications:
Communication between 1st Bn and the Brig was done by runner and important top secret information was conducted by phone. Subject heard this from a runner.
Intentions:
PW stated that intention of 1st Bn was to form a second defensive line at PONGILCH ONNI in case the front line was broken by the UN forces which was located near PONGILCH ONNI.
Personalities:
Maj KIM, In Ho - Height: 1.6 m, Weight: 60 kg, Age: 28, 1st Bn Commander. Last observed at BON IL CHUN.
Capt KIM, Byong She - Height: 1.5 m, Weight: 60 kg, Age: 18, 1st Bn 45mm Arty Co Commander. Last observed at BONG IL CHUN.
2nd Lt IM, Chang Kun - Height: 1.6 m, Weight: 60 kg, Age: 23, 1st Plt Commander. Last observed at BONG IL CHUN.
Morale:
Morale of the 1st Bn was very low due to the fact that the majority of the men were forced into the Red Army, PW stated that after observing the US propaganda leaflets, the majority of the men were ready to surrender when the UN forces advanced.
4. GENERAL:Soviet Personnel:
PW observed two Soviet officers, a Col and a Maj, in the 1st Bn area twice between 15 Aug and 18 Aug 1950. Due to the air bombardment in the battalion area, men were up in the mountains, and the two Soviet officers came to inspect the men, and later were advising the NK officers to have their men sew buttons on their uniforms and sew the ripped parts of their uniforms. After the inspection was completed, the officers rode away in jeeps.
For the Commanding-Officer:
BATEMAN
Executive
