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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1917　21 October 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0089)　19 October 1950

PW was very cooperative and appeared to be average in intelligence and observation. PW was in service for 3 yrs.

Information obtained appears to be reliable.

15 Jul 47 - PW was conscripted in NANAM (羅南) and assigned to the Independent Transport Co of 2nd Div as a private. He repaired military trucks as a qualified mechanic.

? Dec 47 - PW promoted to Jr Sgt.

15 Dec 48 - Arrived at PYONG YANG and assigned to the 579 Unit (Trans Bn). Commissioned a Jr Lt and assumed command of a Trans Repair Plt under 4th Repair Co.

? Mar 50 - Promoted to Sr Lt and assumed command of 4th Repair Co under the 579 Unit.

15 Jun 50 - 579 Unit departed PYONG YANG (平壞) and arrived at CHORWON (鉄原).

29 Jun 50 - 1st Trans Co and 3rd Trans Co departed for SEOUL (서울). 2nd Trans Co departed for KANGWONTO (江原道). 4th Repair Co stayed at CHORWON.

? Jul 50 - 4th Repair Co departed for SEOUL and rejoined the 1st and 3rd Co.

10 Aug 50 - 1st Trans Co departed SEOUL and arrived at CHOCHIWON (鳥政院). PW and 10 soldiers from the 4th Repair Co departed SEOUL and arrived at CHONAN (天安). The 3rd Trans Co and 55 men from the 4th Repair Co departed SEOUL between 10 Aug 50 and 1 Sep 50 and arrived at JECHON (堤川) on unknown date.

1 Sep 50 - PW and the 10 soldiers of the 4th Repair Co departed CHONAN, after 20 days of repairing trucks, and arriving at SEOUL.

2 Sep 50 - PW and 10 soldiers departed SEOUL and rejoined 3rd Trans Co and 55 men from 4th Repair Co at JECHON.

3 Sep 50 - 3rd Trans and 4th Repair Companies departed JECHON and arrived at YONG JU (龍州).

5 Sep 50 - 3rd Trans and 4th Repair Cos departed YONG JU and arrived at ANTONG (安東) and rejoined 2nd Trans Co, which had arrived from KANGWONTO (江原道).

20 Sep 50 - 2nd Trans, 3rd Trans and 4th Repair Cos departed ANTUNG and arrived at YONG JU (榮州).

24 Sep 50 - Above companies departed YONG JU and arrived at JECHON (堤川) again.

28 Sep 50 - Left JECHON and arrived at WON JU (原州).

30 Sep 50 - All in the 2nd Trans, 3rd Trans, and 4th Repair Cos, except PW and a soldier departed from WON JU and headed toward CHUNCHON (春川). PW and the soldier were assigned the task of destroying the trucks in face of the enemy’s approach.

1 Oct 50 - PW surrendered voluntarily to UNK elements of the UN forces without destroying the trucks.

Original Organization & Strength

The Trans Bn (579 Unit) was composed of three (3) Trans Cos, one (1) Repair Co, and three (3) Independent platoons - (Fuel Plt, Supply Plt, and Guard Plt).

The transportation battalion consisted of 30 officers, and 1,100 soldiers. The 1st Trans Co consisted of 150 men; the 2nd Trans Co consisted of 150 men; the 3rd Trans Co consisted of 500 men; the 4th Repair Co consisted of 65 men and the Independent Plts consisted of 265 men.

800 Russian made military trucks, 3 LMG’s and 50 automatic rifles.

The Trans Bn controlled numerous convoys of trucks (usually numbering from 20 to 40). The convoys were dispatched to units requiring supplies. The trucks themselves did not have a home motor pool but were in motion most of the time.

The Trans Bn or 579 Unit was on 15 Jun 50, assigned the task of hauling supplies and ammo to other units located laong the routes covered in “Chronology”. PW did not know the designations of the units.

The transportation battalion or 579 unit was the first activated at PYONG YANG in Oct 48 and was composed to approx 300 men and 200 trucks distributed evenly among three (3) Trans Cos. The 4th Repair Co had the task of repairing the trucks. When the war broke out, the strength was increased to 1,130 men, and 800 trucks. The trucks (usually about 20 to 40 per convoy),did not stay in one locality but carried supplies and ammo wherever needed.

The Trans Bn received travel orders directly from the Defense Ministry in PYONG YANG as to where and when shipments were to be made by trucks. Communication systems, such as telephones, were not utilized by this Bn.

The truck convoys made use of main roads, whenever possible. The majority of the main road bridges were damaged, hence detours around the bridges were often made. Usually the Trans trucks were last in a line of convoys, and precious time would be lost before detours could be arranged.

The primary mission of the Trans Bn was to haul supplies and ammon to the units located along its routes. Nothing was done for the Trans Unit concerning reinforcements or evacuation. The trucks that were damaged were moved to the side of the road, and if they could be not repaired, the supplies were transferred, and the vehicles were abandoned.

Major LI, Kun Bok (李金福) (이금복), Trans Bn (579 Unit) CO.

Major PAK, Yong Wan (朴容玩) (바모잔), Bn propaganda officer.

Major KIM, Sung Sang (舍成松) (사상소), Bn staff officers.

From the outbreak of war in late Jun 50 to early Sep 50, the morale of the PW’s Unit was generally high. The unit was operating, more or less, in the rear, and combat action was not seen. From Sep 50 more and more UN aircraft flew sorties against the convoy trucks, and morale dropped to a very low level. Casualties increased, and many drivers deserted their trucks. From early Sep the soldiers of the unit believed that they were fighting a losing war.

Effect of propaganda leaflets (UN) on the men of the unit was unk. However, on 30 Oct 50 PW and another soldier observed a leaflet in WON JU (原州) and decided to surrender.

In the face of the approaching superior UN forces toward WON JU on 30 Sep 50, the Trans Bn, which included the 2nd and 3rd Trans Cos and 4th Repair Co, started to retreat toward CHUN CHON (春川). Due to lack of drivers (deserted) the unit abandoned 6 trucks fully loaded with supplies. PW and a soldier were detailed to burn and destroy and destroy the abandoned trucks, but they surrendered to the UN Forces without doing so.

Between the period 5 Sep 50 to 10 Sep 50 PW once observed a Russian military advisor in ANTUNG (安東). This officer was not attached to the PW’s Trans Bn but to an unidentified unit located in ANTUNG. He did not wear any insignia of rank.

Information on Government Agencies & Buildings in PYONG YANG:

Defense Ministry Building.

Reference: Korea City Plans 1:12,500 (PYONG YANG). Also refer to attached sketch showing location (Map Overlay).

The Defense Ministry Building was located within the compound of an Inf Regt (77th). The Defense Ministry is believed to be in the former Regt’s Hq Building.

This building was situated approx 150 m N of SOJE T’ONG Road, which ran in an E to W direction and about 1,200 m W of the TAEDONG River.

The Defense Ministry Building was one story in height (6 meters) and constructed of red bricks. The roof was gabled and covered with slate. The building was rectangular (60 m by 15 m) with the main entrance situated in the front center. A hallway ran through the entire length of the building. Numerous rooms were sectioned off on both sides of this hallway.

The personnel affairs section was located in the third room to the right (as you enter) of the main entrance, which is located in the east wall of the building. PW entered this section once during the month of Mar 50 on official business. This section, which was commanded by an unidentified Col (NK Army), has complete files or documents listing the names of all NK army officers and non-commissioned officers. The other sections included in this defense ministry buildings are unknown.

PW on his trip to this building observed the NK Chief of Staff General CHOE, Yong Kun. PW believed that the Defense Ministry moved to this present location sometime during 1949 from its original site - NK army arsenal.

Department of Navy:

Reference: Same as Defense Ministry.

The Dept of Navy was located immediately N of SOJE T’ZONG Road in the SW vicinity of the Defense Ministry Building, occupying two separate red brick buildings. The Navy Chief of Staff occupied the building closest to the SOJE T’ONG Road. PW stated that prior to Feb 49, there was no navy force in NK. The NK department of navy was first activated in Feb 49 in PYONG YANG at the above buildings.

The two buildings were almost similar in construction and size. The main section of each building was approx 80 m long x 10 meters wide with wings (measuring 20 m long x 10 m wide) on each end. Both buildings were two stories high and completed with gabled slate roofs. The main entrance was located in the front center (facing toward South) of each building. Interior floor plans were unknown. Different navy sections occupying the two buildings could not be identified by the PW.

Russian Embassy:

Reference: Korean City Plans 1: 12,500 (PYONG YANG) (Also refer to sketch of the above plans).

Originally the present Russian Embassy used to be the PYONG YANG Normal School. In Sep 45 the school building was converted into a Russian Army Hq, commanded by an unidentified Maj Gen. On Sep 49 the Maj Gen and his staff returned to RUSSIA, and the school building was turned into the present Russian Embassy. It now houses General SHTIKOV.

The embassy was located approx 200 meters SW of the street car tracks running in a general N to S direction on CHONG GO JANG JON Street, 800 meters W of PANWOL Island in TAEDONG River, and 350 meters E of SONGYONG Road.

The embassy building was shaped in an “　　” form and the roof was covered with slate.

No further details available.

Home Ministry:

Reference: Korea City Plans 1: 12,500 (PYONG YANG). Also refer to attached overlay of above city plans.

The Home Ministry Building is located approx 500 meters W of the TAEDONG River and in the E vicinity of the former PYONG YANG City Hall. It is currently housing the home minister, Pak, Il Wu (朴口禹) and vice-minister, PAK, Hun Il (朴훈안).

The building is one story in height and measured approx 60 meters by 20 meters wide. The walls were constructed of red bricks, and the roof was covered with slate. No further information available.

For the Commanding Officer:

PYONGYANG (HEIJO) AS OF JUN 50

DENOTES BLDG ENTERED BY PW KOREA CITY PLANS 1:12,500