ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1727 9 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 1025) 4 October 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | MUN, Chae Hi (文載熙) (문재희) |
| RANK: | Jr Lt (少尉) |
| AGE: | 20 |
| DUTY: | 16th Armored Brig (Code No 101) 1st Motorized Bn, 1st Co |
| UNIT: | Motor Officer |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (6 years) |
| OCCUPATION: | Laborer |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | SONG-NI SAN (俗離山) (1080-1510), 4 km N of NAESONG-NI (內俗里) (1050-1570) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 29 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HAMGYONG NAMDO, KAPSAN-GUN, CHINDONG-MYON, SINHUNG-NI #83 (咸鏡南道 甲山郡 鎭東面 新興里 八三番地) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | MANCHURIA, CHILIN HSIEN, YENCHI HSIEN, TE HSIN (滿州 吉林省 延吉縣 圖們市 德興区 二间二隣) |
| INTERROGATOR: | S/Sgt NAKAYAMA (FEAF) |
PW was intelligent and cooperative. Very observant and had a good memory. Did not hesitate to answer all questions. He had intentions of becoming a professional soldier. Although he was in a Communist Army, he did not show any sign of being a Communist.
Not recommended for further interrogation.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
15 Mar 46 - PW volunteered into Chinese 8th Route Army in ENCHILHSIEN (延吉縣), MANCHURIA. He was immediately assigned to an artillery Regt, Communication Bn. He was trained in telephone maintenance and line construction. He was a specialist in telephone repair and held a position as squad leader for 2 years.
15 Jul 48 - PW departed ENCHILHSIEN, MANCHURIA with 3,000 men and fought Nationalist Army at SINJIN (新亭) MANCHURIA and TAIYUAN (太原), CHINA. The Signal Bn fought the TUI MING (杜一晍) unit of Chinese National Army in HSINJIN, MANCHURIA and engaged in battle at TAIYUAN, MANCHURIA. Unit moved into HANKOW CHINA and stayed there for 2 months. The mission took the Chinese 8th Route Army approx 1 year, 8 months.
20 Mar 50 - Signal Bn, Arty Regt in Chinese 8th Route Army departed HANKOW (漢江), CHINA with all Korean personnel (250 men and 250 women). They arrived in P'YONGYANG by train 20 Apr 50, without equipment.
20 Apr 50 - In P'YONGYANG 30 of the 250 men were assigned to Security Co of War Ministry. The 250 women were transferred to various hospitals as nurses. The 30 men were given basic training in the Soviet system for 3 months although they already had Chinese training. Training consisted of dismounted drill, combat tactics and political indoctrination.
12 Jul 50 - After completion of basic training in the Soviet System, the 30 men were transferred to the 16th Armored Brigade, 1st Motor Vehicle Bn. PW was promoted to the rank of Jr Lt and was assigned as Plt Ldr. Total strength of 16th Armored Brigade was approx 6,000. The Brigade was located in SADON, 4 km E of P'YONGYANG. 105th Armored Div was also in this area.
16 Jul 50 - 16th Armored Brigade arrived in CH'ORWON (鉄原) with 5,800 EM and 200 officers. O/a 24 Jul 50, 80 x GAZ-51 trucks were issued. 20 x JS-1 tanks and 5 x SU-76 self-propelled guns were issued prior to 20 Jul 50. Full combat equipment and weapons were given to all personnel. The 5,800 men were trained for combat for 20 days under the supervision of the officers. Live ammunition was fired from M1891/30 rifles on the last day of training and preparation for actual combat was made.
18 Aug 50 - 16th Armored Brigade moved into SEOUL with combat equipment. Train was used for transportation of personnel and armored tanks. Vehicles moved during the night on highways. Between SEOUL and TAEJON 16th Armored Brigade lost 4 x JS-1 tanks to aerial attacks (F-80 jets). The unit arrived in TAEJON 22 Aug 50.
22 Aug 50 - 16th Armored Brigade arrived in TAEJON. Approx 6,000 men departed the following day and advanced to KOCH'ANG (居昌). Due to gasoline shortage, truck driver assistants remained in TAEJON with their trucks (50 in all).
27 Aug 50 - Arrived in SINBAN-NI (新反里). With combined forces of 9th Div, 4th Div and 16th Armored Brigade attempted to take YONGSAN (雲山). 9th Div spearheaded the drive with 2 regiments (the 9th Div had only 2 regts) and the 1st and 2nd Motorized Bn's of the 16th Armored Brigade followed. In previous engagements the 4th Div received heavy casualties so they were waiting for replacements to arrive. Meantime they were engaged in security and patrol missions. When replacements for 4th Div arrived they were composed entirely of forced conscripts from S KOREA.
2 Sep 50 - The 2 Regts of the 9th Div and the 16th Armored Brigade with two motorized Bn's, went into combat after crossing the NAKTONG River approx 12 km E of SINBAN-NI. The 9th Div lost all of its equipment and 90% of its men. 16th Armored Brigade lost all eqipment and 95% of its men.
5 Sep 50 - PW was wounded and taken back to Field Hospital in SINBAN-NI. He was hospitalized for 20 days.
25 Sep 50 - PW was promoted to Co CO from Plt Ldr and was given 100 men who were without training of any kink. They were all S Koreans conscripted by force. The entire group was unarmed. PW's Co withdrew to CHUBONGNYONG (秋風嶺). Upon arrival thdy discovered that the other units, except a battalion on engineers, had retreated to TAEJON. The operation officer of 16th Armored Brigade (a Maj) ordered the rest to retreat to TAEJON due to a change in plans.
27 Sep 50 - PW's Co received orders to proceed to HWANGGAN (黃澗) and hide in the woods near the highway close to HWANGGAN. On 28 Sep 50, F-51's attacked HWANGGAN. Same day more than 30 tanks also started to attack the town and PW and his Co fled in disorder. Approx 30 men and PW escaped to SONGNI-SAN (俗離山). 29 men disappeared and PW escaped alone to NAESONG-NI (內俗里) and surrendered to civilian police.
Composition of Unit:
16th Armored Brigade - composed of four battalions - 1st and 2nd Tank Bn's and 1st and 2nd Motorized Bn's.
1st Motorized Bn - composed of 5 companies. 1st, 2nd, 3rd Motorized Co's, HMG Co, and Mortar Co.
3rd Motorized Co - composed of 4 platoons. 1st, 2nd and 3rd Rifle Plts and HMG Plt.
Personalities:
16 Brig CG - KIM, Ki Chol (金基哲); Maj Gen (少將); Age 35.
1st Motorized Bn CO - HWANG, Hi Ch'on (黃善天); Maj (少佐); Age about 30.
1st Co CO - KIM, Chun Song (金俊成); Sr Lt (大尉); Age about 25. Was killed in the battle of YONGSAN.
Equipment:
Original
20 x JS-1 tanks
5 x SU-76 SP Guns
6 x Mortar (cal u/k)
38 x HMG Maxim M1910
54 x DP LMG
150 x PPsh SMG
80 x GAZ-51 trucks
1 x Radio transceiver
16 x Field telephone
Communication:
16th Armored Brigade used radio-transceiver to communicate with higher echelon. 1st Motorized Bn used field telephone.
Present Disposition (PW's own unit):
16th Armored Brigade was located in TAEJON when the order came from Hqs to retreat.
Effectiveness:
Training and Personnel: The original 16th Armored Brigade personnel were specially trained for their respective weapons.
Psychological Factors:
The most feared weapons were fighter planes (jets), bombers, tanks and artillery.
RUSSIA is nto helping the NKPA for the following reasons:
1. Afraid of US in production of weapons and equipment.
2. US has more superior weapons and equipment.
3. Afraid to involve themselves in a war with powerful countries of the UN.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
