ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1878 16 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 1144) 14 October 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | CHO Kyong Gu (趙京九) (조경구) |
| RANK: | Cpl (下士) |
| AGE: | 19 |
| DUTY: | Truck driver |
| UNIT: | 16th Armored Brigade, 1st Motorcycle Bn, 1st Transportation Plt |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (6 yrs) |
| OCCUPATION: | Automobile mechanic |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | CH’ONAN (天安) (1010-1550) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 27 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HWANGHAEDO, PYOKSONG Gun, KACHWA Myon, KUKPONG Ni, #178 (黃海道 碧城郡 加佐面 國奉里 一七八番地) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | HAMGYONG NAMDO, HAMHUNG, CHUNGANG Ni, #121 (咸鏡南道 咸興市 中央里 一二一番地) |
| INTERROGATOR: | S/Sgt NAKAYAMA (FEAF) |
PW was very cooperative during interrogation. Did not hesitate to express his opinion; was observant and had a good memory. His information seems reliable. He surrendered to UN troops. Had 2 years experience as a mechanic.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
26 Jul 50: Inducted into the NKA at CH'ORWON (鐵元) and assigned to Transportation Plt, 1st Motorcycle Bn, 16th Armored Brigade. He did repair work on trucks for 15 days. Brig strength was 8,000 men.
10 Aug 50: Departed CH'ORWON by train with 24 x trucks and 500 men. Arrived SEOUL 12 Aug 50.
12 Aug 50: Departed SEOUL by truck and arrived TAEJON. 24 x trucks and drivers under the command of the Transportation Plt ldr remained in TAEJON. 470 men advanced towards NAKTONG River (洛東江).
16 Aug 50: 24 trucks and 7 mechanics departed TAEJON and arrived HYOPCH'ON (陜川). Here they were combined with the 2nd Motorcycle Bn. All trucks were hidden in the hills and camouflaged with branches to conceal them from aircraft. The 2nd Motorcycle Bn had approximately 20 trucks. The 16th Brigade Hq was located in SINBAN-Ni (新反里). Transported diesel fuel for tanks from CH'UP'PUNG NYONG (秋風嶺) tunnel to SINBAN-Ni (新反里).
20 Aug 50: Ordered to haul ammunition from CH'UP'PUNG NYONG tunnel to 16th Brig Hq. Used 4 trucks and transported 82mm mortar ammunition.
27 Aug 50: 24 trucks-went to CH'UP'PUNG NYONG to haul ammunition. Upon arrival, 15 trucks were ordered to proceed to I Corps Hq in CHIKCHISA (直指寺) and 9 trucks to transport ammunition to SINBAN-Ni.
29 Aug 50: Loaded 76mm guns and 45mm AT gun ammunition on 15 trucks and transported same to SECH’ON (細川). Stored ammo in a tunnel 3 km NE. After unloading, hid 12 trucks in the hills and drove 3 to TAEJON (大田).
5 Sep 50: Departed TAEJON arrived UISONG (義城). Battle was being waged here, and PW with 100 men decided to return to TAEJON, Approaching TAEJON they heard firing of guns, abandoned their 3 trucks and started on foot. All the men scattered and PW started to walk toward village about a mile away. Took shelter in a farmer's home, was fed and given a place to sleep. He remained here for approximately one week,
13 Sep 50: Informed by one of the farmers that the ROK troops would enter the village and advised PW to leave at once. He walked through hills and mountains, trying to escape to SEOUL (서울) where the 16th Brigade was to regroup.
26 Sep 50: Surrendered to UN troops at CH‘ONAN (天安).
Composition of Unit:
The 16th Brigade was composed of 8 battalions: 1st and 2nd Inf Bns, 1st and 2nd Motorcycle Bns, 1st and 2nd Transportation Bns, 1st Armored Bn, 1st HMG Bn.
Equipment for the 1st Motorcycle Bn:
Remarks: 24 trucks were late model ZIS. With rear drive and 2 1/2 ton capacity. Observed 15 x T-34/85 Med tanks.
Supply:
There were 2 supply dumps. In CH'UP'PUNG NYONG - ammunition, food and fuel and in CHIKCHISA - ammunition, fuel and food. Used trucks for transport of supply.
Present Disposition as of 23 Aug 50:
Prior to capture, the 1st Motorcycle Bn was located in HYOPCH'ON (陜川), 16th Armored Brigade in SINBAN-Ni (新反里). I Corp Hq was located in CHIKCHISA (直指寺) as of 27 Aug 50.
Other Unit:
The 1st Artillery Bn attached directly to I Corp was located in KUMO-SAN (金島山) 6 km SE of KUMCH’ON (金泉). PW as a truck driver delivered 76mm, 120mm and 45mm ammunition to 1st Artillery Bn, 28 Aug 50.
Effectiveness, training and experience:
Had 2 years of auto mechanic experience before induction. He repaired his own truck on the road on several occasions.
Morale:
PW had high morale until HYOPCH'ON, 27 Aug 50. Upon hearing that they were to retreat to TAEJON he discovered that the tide of war had changed. Also, due to heavy losses in men and equipment, his morale was adversely affected and remained low until he was captured.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
