ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1723 9 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 1020) 4 October 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | MUN, Chang Song (文長成) (문장성) |
| RANK: | Jr Lt (少尉) |
| AGE: | 21 |
| DUTY: | Plt Ldr |
| UNIT: | 8th Div, 2nd Regt, Engr Plt |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (4 yrs) |
| OCCUPATION: | Laborer in lumber yard |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 8 km SW of UISONG (1160-1490) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 24 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | P'YONGAN NAMDO, KANGDONG GUN, KANGDONG MYON, SANG NI, #198 (平安南道 江東郡 江東面 上里 一九八番地) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | P'YONGAN NAMDO, KANGDONG GUN, SUNGHO MYON, SUNGHO RI, #45 (平安南道 江東郡 勝湖里 四五番地) |
| INTERROGATOR: | KAJIWARA (FEAF) |
PW was very cooperative and seemed to be of average intelligence. He deserted his regiment and surrendered. No further interrogation recommended.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
23 Oct 47: Inducted at KANGDONG.
13 Dec 49: Arrived in P'YONGYANG and received 3 months basic training.
15 Mar 49: Assigned to the 1st Independent Security Regiment at YANGYANG with rank of Sgt (中士).
25 Jun 50: The 1st Regt left YANGYANG and crossed the 38° parallel.
12 Jul 50: Arrived in KANGNUNG. Here the 1st Regt was expanded and became part of the 8th Div. PW was promoted to Jr Lt and made platoon leader of the Engineer platoon.
1 Sep 50: The 8th Div was 4 km South of UISONG.
14 Sep 50: PW deserted his Regt, escaped into the hills south of UISONG and stayed under cover. Pilfered his food from houses.
24 Sep 50: Surrendered to South Korean police 8 km SW of UISONG.
Organization and Strength:
As of 14 Sep 50 the total strength of the 2nd Regt was approximately 300 men.
Equipment:
As of 14 Sep 50 the 2nd Regt had the following:
2 x 122mm Howitzers (200 rounds of ammunition)
3 x 4 x 76mm Field guns
4 x 45mm AT guns
2 x 82mm Howitzers in the 2nd Bn
2 x 7.62mm HMG in the 2nd Bn
3 x 7.62mm LMG in the 1st Bn
Since the regiment had no trucks, all ammunition had to be hand carried, thus PW believes amount of arty ammunition was limited. The Regt had about 30 captured US anti-tank mines.
Engineer Platoon:
The Engineer platoon was attached directly to the regiment. The only type of work done by this platoon was repairing of bridges and roads. The platoon did not have the technical knowledge or facilities to make major repairs on bridges. They made temporary repairs on small wooden bridges by laying boards across gaps and filling holes with sand bags. The Engineer companies attached to the division laid land mines and cleared mine fields.
Disposition:
PW heard that the 8th Div had passed through ANDONG in their retreat.
Personalities:
O, Paek Yong (吳伯龍) Maj Gen CG 8th Div
LEE, Song Sil (李성실) Sr Col (總佐) C/S, 8th Div
SA Saeng (史生) Col (大佐) CO, 2nd Regt
Morale and Propaganda:
Morale was extremely low because of the high death rate. The troops greatly feared Nepalm bombs. Arty and fighter aircraft strafing was also demoralizing. Majority of troops seemed to want to surrender after reading UN Propaganda leaflets, but PW stated they generally do not have the opportunity. Any men who tried to desert or surrender were shot on the orders of the political officer. When this PW escaped from his regiment, a detail of 3 men was sent to find him. He was shot in the buttock by one of the searching party, but managed to escape.
4. GENERAL:PW believes that the only available troops in N. KOREA would be the older men (over 37) and factory workers who have recently been drafted into the NKPA. All available men between the ages of 16 and 37 were drafted as replacements for units on the South Korean front. Women between 17 to 27 were also drafted. In the 8th Div there were about 6 women operating switchboards at Div Hq and Regt'l Hq. In addition there were several nurses in the Field hospital.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
