ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1944 23 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 1198) 19 October 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | SONG, Ke Ryon (宋啓鍊) (송계련) |
| RANK: | Lt (中尉) |
| AGE: | 28 |
| DUTY: | Cultural Officer |
| UNIT: | 26th Ind Brig (Code 634), 2nd HMG Bn, Engr Co |
| EDUCATION: | Middle School (2 yrs) |
| OCCUPATION: | Pharmacist’s helper |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | HWANGJI-Ri (黃池里) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 8 Oct 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | P’YONGAN NAMDO, P’YONGYANG, KYONGJE-Ri, #150 (平安南道平壞市鏡濟里一五o) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | P’YONGAN NAMDO, P’YONGYANG, KYONGJE-Ri #98 (平安南道平壞市鏡濟里九八) |
| INTERROGATOR: | Sgt HAYASHIDA (ATIS) |
PW was cooperative but not very intelligent. He was in good physical condition and did not show any signs of apprehension or fear. Reliability fair.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
4 Aug 50 - Conscripted into the NKA at P’YONGYANG. On this date 34 men were selected and sent to the No 2 Military Academy. Their loyalty was partially determined through a short interrogation.
4 Aug 50 - 18 Aug 50: Attended the academy. There were an estimated 600 students enrolled. Training included methods of indoctrination during combat for the purpose of morale and the procurement of clothing, food and such other items as might be useful in bolstering morale.
18 Aug 50: 120 men were graduated and commissioned Lts, PW included. 60 were assigned to the 27th Brigade in KUMCH’ON and the remaining 60 (including PW) were assigned to the 26th Brigade in NAMCH’ON.
24 Aug 50: Arrived NAMCH’ON by rail and was assigned to a unit of the 26th Brigade. The Brigade was activated on 18 Aug 50. The battalion commanders were veterans from MANCHURIA but the other officers were recent graduates of the NK Military Academy. The majority of the men had received one month of basic military training at KAECH’ON. On 24 Aug 50, the unit was up to strength but without any equipment.
24 Aug 50 - 5 Sep 50: The 2nd HMG Bn, remained at HANP’O, a little village situated about 16 km south of NAMCH’ON. The men received theoretical training in their field since there was no equipment or training aids.
5 Sep 50 - 18 Sep 50: The Engr Co, 2nd ZHMG Bn remained in NAMCH’ON. The other units of the brigade were scattered in the mountains within 15 km of NAMCH’ON. The brigade as yet had no equipment. The Engr Bn, was also dispositioned on NAMCH’ON. The two Engr units conducted theoretical training in the methods of laying mine fields and constructing defenses. Brigade Hq was located in NAMCH’ON.
18 Sep 50: Entire 26th Brigade moved southwest.
23 Sep 50: 2nd HMG Bn arrived 12 km NW of MAJON-Ni (馬田里). Brigade Hq was located in YONCH’ON.
23 Sep 50 - 27 Sep 50: The 26th Brig as yet had no weapons or equipments. The units were given training.
28 Sep 50 - 3 Oct 50: Remained in the hills 12 km NE of MAJON-Ni. Units of the Brigade were deployed in a wide arc extending from the area 8 km N of KORANGP’O (高浪浦) east to MAJON-Ni and northeast to YONGCH’ON. The Brigade still had no equipment.
3 Oct 50 - 7 Oct 50: 2nd HMG Bn was employed in constructing defensive positions in the hills immediately south of HWANGJI-Ri (黃池里). On or about 5 Oct 50, received 70% of the necessary weapons and ammunition. The unit did not receive any vehicles or communications equipment. The remaining units of the 26th Brigade also received about the same amount of weapons.
7 Oct 50: Word was received at 2000 hours that ROK forces were advancing in that direction. One company was engaged in a brief skirmish with the ROK forces. The main elements were engaged in digging defensive positions.
8 Oct 50: At about 0700 hours, the area was shelled by enemy artillery but there were no casualties since the shells all fell to the rear of the unit. The company commanders were warned that they wre to hold the lines at all costs. At 0800, PW noticed that the Bn stt officers had deserted the unit. PW consequently too 42 subordinate officers and men and surrendered.
Organization and Equipment:
1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th HMG Bns: 700 men, 4 x HMGs, 4 x 45mm At guns, 210 x rifles, 50 x PPsh guns.
Engr Bn: 200 men, equipment consisted of shovels, picks, and rifles only.
Arty Bn: 150 men, 2 x 120mm mortars, no vehicles, 8 x 76mm guns
Inf Bn: 600 men, rifles only
Sig Bn: 90 men, rifles only, no communication equipment
Recon Co: 60 men, rifles only
Hqs Co: 50 men, rifles only
Med Co: 60 men, no equipment
The above was the original strength and equipment for the 26th Brigade. There were no appreciable changes as of 7 Oct 50.
Morale:
The morale of the troops was very low and there was considerable friction between the company grade officers and battalion commanders. Most of the men as well as the junior officers realized the hopelessness of the situation and are ready to surrender. The men have no desire to fight.
Personalities:
KIM, Chae Yun (金左充) (김재윤); Maj Gen (小將); 35; CG, 26th Brigade.
KIM, Kyong Hwa (金景華) (김경화); Maj (少佐); 32; CO, 2nd HMG Bn
Supplies:
Since the troops lived off the civilian populace, there was an abundant supply of food. The men have been issued quilted jackets but still were wearing summer trousers. There was a sufficient supply of ammunition but a shortage of arms. All is not known. There were no indications that the units were to receive any additional supplies of weapons or other equipment. There was no communication equipment available.
4. GENERAL:Prices:
5 Sung (升) rice: 360 won
1 kg brown sugar: 200 won
1 pr leather shoe: 2,500 won
1 suit, part wool: 15,000 won
Wage Paid:
Unskilled laborer: 600 won per month with ration rights
Skilled laborer: 900 won per month with ration rights
Primary school teacher: 1,500 won per month without ration rights
Doctor: 1,800 won per month without ration rights
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
