ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1712 9 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 1010) 3 October 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: LEE, Pong Gol (李奉杰) (이봉걸) | |
| RANK: | Lt (中尉) |
| AGE: | 26 |
| DUTY: | Regtl Supply Officer |
| UNIT: | 603rd Motorcycle Regt |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (6 years) |
| OCCUPATION: | Clerk |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | MUJU (茂州) (1060-1450) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 27 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | P'YONGAN-PUKTO, KANGGYE-Gun, KOSAN-Myon, CH'UNSAN-Dong #345 (平安北道江界郡高山面春山洞三四五番地) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | PIYONGAN-PUKTO, KANGGYE-Gun, KOSAN-Myon, P’OSAN-Dong (平安北道江界郡高山面浦上洞一五0) |
| INTERROGATOR: | NAGAO (FEAF) |
PW served with the Japanese Army in CHINA for a period of one year and returned to KOREA in May 46.
PW surrendered to the US Forces. Considered reliable, but not recommended for further interrogation.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
30 Sep 46 - PW volunteered into the NKPA at P‘YONGYANG. He received 4 months basic infantry training and was then detailed to work at the P’YONGYANG HAGWON (P’YONGYANG Institute), an Army training school for political officers, as a clerk.
? May 47 - Promoted to Sgt (中士).
? Dec 48 - Promoted to Jr Lt (少尉) and became a proof-reader at the printing shop of the P‘YONGYANG Institute.
? Jun 49. - Assigned to the Food Supply Section of the P‘YONGYANG Institute as assistant to the Chief of Section.
? Feb 50 - Transferred to the 603rd Motorcycle Regt as a supply officer in P’YONGYANG.
? Jun 50 - The 603rd Motorcycle Regt departed P’YONGYANG by train. PW did not depart with the unit because he was in a hospital with inflammation of lymph gland.
? Jul 50 - PH departed P’YONGYANG on a troop train with orders to join the 603rd Motorcycle Regt.
16 Jul 50 - Arrived at KAESONG and immediately departed by truck.
17 Jul 50 - Arrived at SEOUL.
20 Jul 50 - Departed SEOUL by truck.
28 Jul. 50 - Arrived at CHECH'ON, via CH' UNCH'ON (春川) and WONJU. PW joined the 603rd Motorcycle Regt here.
D/u Aug 50 - The 603rd Motorcycle Regt departed CHECHON on available trucks, motorcycles, and on foot.
? Aug 50 - Arrived at KWANGJU via CH‘UNGJU, CH’ONGJU, TAEJON, and CHONJU. PW heard that the combat units of the 603rd Motorcycle Regt did not engage in a single battle. However, they lost a large amount of equipment due to air attacks. The 603rd Motorcycle Regt rested in KWANGJU for 5 days.
? Sep 50 - Departed KWANGJU. Arrived at PANSONG (班城) PW heard that the combat units were engaged in light skirmishes for a period of 1 week.
20 Sep 50 - PW heard that they received orders from Corps Hqs to withdraw and 603rd Motorcycle Regt started general withdrawal. However, at CHINJU, the 603rd Motorcycle Regt became completely disorganized and the combat units started retreating north preceding the rear echelon units.
21 Sep 50 - The rear echelon supply units departed CHINJU on six trucks. Two trucks were loaded with rations, 3 trucks with ammunition and I truck with clothing.
26 Sep 50 - The six trucks arrived at CHINAN (鎭安) without mishap. One ammunition truck was abandoned there for lack of fuel.
PW was ordered by the Intendance Officer, to proceed to MUJU with 2 ration trucks because the major units of the 603rd Motorcycle Regt were believed to be in the general area of MUJU.
27 Sep 50 - PW arrived at MUJU but was unable to locate any units of the 603rd Motorcycle Regt. He heard from an officer of an Engr Bn that US Forces were already on the outskirts of MUJU. Believed that it was futile to retreat further so he remained in MUJU and surrendered to the US Forces, P surrendered together with 17 other PsW.
Unit Organization and Strength:
1. Original organization and strength: 'The 603rd Motorcycle Regt was composed of four (4) motorcycle Bn's, a 120-mm Mortar Bn, 45-mm Arty Bn, Armored car Bn, Transportation Co, Engr Co, Maintenance Co, Signal Plt, Intendance Plt, Security Guard Plt, and medical unit. The total strength was approx 3,000 men.
2. Actual battle organization and strength: PW heard that one motorcycle Bn was detached from the 603rd Motorcycle Regt and attached to a rifle division at KWANGJU.
3. Last known composition of Unit: As of 20 Sep 50, the 603rd Motorcycle Regt was located in scattered positions. PW believes that the total strength was approx 1,000 men. He had heard that the 603rd Motorcycle Regt received a large number of replacements.
Equipment:
As of 20 Sep 50, PI heard that the 603rd Motorcycle Regt had 400 motorcycles, 10 trucks, and 25 to 30 armored cars. However, he believes that majority of the vehicles were abandoned due to lack of fuel when ordered to withdraw.
Unit History:
Preparation for organizing the 603rd Motorcycle Regt commenced during Feb 50, and the actual organization ceremony was held in Apr 50 at PYONGYANG.
The original plans of the 603rd Motorcycle Regt called for joint combat operation with the 12th Rifle Div but the plan was changed because it was impossible for the vehicles to advance over the mountainous region along the east side of KOREA. Therefore, the 603rd Motorcycle Regt was ordered to proceed south along the west coast of KOREA but they did not engage in any major engagements because they always followed the combat units of the rifle division.
Communications:
Field telephones were used in communicating between the Regt and Bn CP’s. The rear echelon regtl supply section used 1 x field telephone to communicate with regtl CP.
Intentions:
As of 20 Sep 50, the '603rd Motorcycle Regt was ordered to retreat to TAEJON and maintain a defensive position there.
Personalities:
603rd Motorcycle Regt Co: Sr Col (總佐) CHON, Mun Sop (全文変) (전문섭). PW heard that the CO was with the Volunteer Army in MANCHURIA.
Rear Echelon Co: (Asst Regt CO): Col (大佐) KIM, Il Yong (金日龍) (김일용). Col KIM was promoted from the ranks of a regular intendance officer and did not possess any military background.
Requisition Officer, Food Supply Section (Rear Echelon): Lt (中尉) KIM, In Jong (金仁挺) (김인정).
Morale and Propaganda:
The troops of the 603rd Motorcycle Regt were not adequately trained to handle the motorcycles with the greatest efficiency and large numbers were lost on the mountain roads from lack of proper operation and maintenance. As the supply line was extended the vehicles became inoperable from lack of fuel.
PW never saw a UN propaganda leaflet but heard about them many times.
4. GENERAL:The standard ration for each man per day is as follows: (all figures on grams)
| officers & EM | |
| Rice | 700 |
| Other Grains | 100 |
| Meat | 150 |
| Fish | 150 |
| Soy Sauce | 20 |
| Bean Paste | 40 |
| Salt | 30 |
| Sugar | 20 |
| Vegetables | 600 |
| Pickled Vegetables | 200 |
| Tobacco | 20 |
During Sep, the regtl supply section was unable to draw regular food rations from the Corps Supply Section and the different units within the regiment were required to forage for their own food. The last food ration issued by the 603rd Motorcycle Regt Food Section to 400 men was during the early part of Sep 50. Issue was as follows: 1 kilogram of rice and a small amount of dried fish and dried liver to each man.
Clothing supply was very low and only 1 set of underwear was issued once at CHECH’ON. However, the regtl supply officer received a large amount of uniform material from the rear echelon supply depot and was in the process of making uniforms for all the men in the regiment.
The NK Peoples Government announced the monetary exchange at 8 SK WON to 1 NK WON during Jul 50, but it was nullified during the latter part of Aug and it became unlawful to use the SK WON.
The P’YONGYANG HAGWON (學院) was established in P‘YONGYANG during Feb 46 for the sole purpose of training political officers and NCO's for the NKPA. The first group of 400-500 students graduated in Oct 47.
The P'YONGYANG HAGWON was completely reorganized in Feb 48, and was designated No 2 Political School (第二中央政治學校) CH‘AE I CHUNGANG CH’ONG CHI HAKKYO. Only students of officer calibre were admitted and they were graduated in one year as political officers. Some of the required subjects were: World History, Korean History, Soviet Communist History, World Economy, Korean Literature, Current Political Situation, Russian Language, and Specialized Military Training. Upon graduation, the students received the rank of Lt (中尉) and they were assigned to Bn, Regt and Div Hqs as Ass‘t CO’s.
For the Commanding Officers:
WEELDREYER
Executive
