ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1839 12 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADV ECH ATIS - 0012) Date not given
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | BAK, Yong Nam (朴龍南) |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| AGE: | 19 |
| DUTY: | Spy |
| UNIT: | 1st Sq, 2nd Plt, Reconnaissance Co, 25th Brig |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | SEOUL |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 25 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | SEOUL |
| HOME ADDRESS: | SEOUL TON GAN CHO |
| INTERROGATOR: | Pfc YAMASHIRO |
Physical condition good. Was clerk at rest camp in WONSAN from 26 May 50 to 27 Jul 50. Informant was cooperative. Directions are only rough estimates. Report fairly reliable.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
Conscripted into NK Army at WONSAN on 25 Aug 50. Received training at CHORWON and was sent to SEOUL for service with his unit. On 24 Sep he and 4 others were sent ahead on patrol. His 4 companions were killed, he hid in the mountains for the night, took off his uniform and surrendered to the Americans on the following day.
Unit Organization and Strength:
Actual battle strength was 490 men; 40 men were in the Reconnaissance section, half of them armed with automatic rifles; 56 men were in the AA Section.
Equipment:
20 auto rifles, 7 AA guns, 82 and 120 mm, and 394 rifles.
Unit History:
Organized at WONSAN, trained at CHORWON, sent to SEOUL for service. Brig has retreated N of the 38th.
Morale and Propaganda:
Morale was low in unit because personnel were forced into service. No propaganda leaflets seen.
4. GENERAL:American PsW:
Location of PW Camp, HUNGNAM. PW saw this camp when he visited his relatives for two days. This camp is located in large fertilizer plant about 1 Ri from the HUNGNAM RR sta. Receiving permission from the Village Peoples Committee, BAK visited a school inside the camp. An estimated 3,000 PsW are interned here. They work at making soap from 0900 to 1700 hrs daily with an hour off for lunch. They are fed three times per day on meals consisting of crackers, meat and rice.
SOVIET Ships:
While at CHONGJU during 13-18 Jun 50, BAK saw 2 large Soviet warships in the harbor. They were unloading many 120 mm and 82 mm AA guns, many large trucks, and five large tanks. BAK also spoke to three of the Soviets when they came to drink water. The Soviets stated that they came from VLADIVOSTOK. One of the Soviets wore gold epaulets with dark yellow pipings and one white star. Two of them wore red epaulets with broad yellow stripes formed in a letter “T”. The warships stayed in the harbor 5 days.
MYON SA SHIM NI Islands:
PW saw these islands while living in WONSAN as a civilian during 1945 to 25 Aug 50.
They are located off the coast of WONSAN and comprise a group of four islands, 3 small - and 1 large.
PW states that, since the American aircraft bombings, many troops (Army & Navy). with all their equipment were moved to these islands. Food and supplies are delivered from WONSJIN by small boats. All the troops and equipment are hidden in the mountains of these islands. (see sketch).
WONSAN Oil Refinery:
Two refineries are located 1 Ri SSE and the other is located 1/2 Ri SSE of the WONSAN RR sta. Their dimensions are about 150 ft by 200 ft. They are unfenced but guarded by armed men.
As a result of the bombings about half of the oil was destroyed. The rest was hidden in the TOGWON Mountain.
AA Defenses:
Various types of AA guns are located in a mountain situated about 2 Ri SW of the WONSAN RR sta and 1 1/2 Ri SW of the TAIKO River. These guns are very well hidden from aerial observation by a profusion of trees.
Many troops are located in this mountain.
A telephone line connects this mountain with TOGWON Mountain.
For the Commanding Officer:
BATEMAN
Executive
