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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1978　24 October 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 1174)　17 October 1950

PW was cooperative and observant. Memory good, information reliable. Fours yrs and four mos of military service. PW surrendered to civilian police in MASONG.

15 Jun 46: Volunteered in NKA in P’YONGYANG (平壞). Was assigned to railway guard Hqs. Received close-order drill and rifle training. In P’YONGYANG Railway Guard Hqs he did guard and patrol duties in CHONJU (定州) tunnel, SONCH’ON (宣川) tunnel and bridge 2 km S and OP’A (漁波) tunnel about 200 m N. The total strength at that time was 4,000 men. The Railway Guard Hq was composed of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Bns. YUK Yong Su (柳경수), recently returned from RUSSIA, was in command. YU is now the CO of the 105th Armored Div. The total strength of each Bn was 880 men.

8 Dec 47: 3rd Indep Inf Brig was activated and the Railway Guard Hq was deactivated. PW was assigned to 2nd Sqd, 1st Plat, Telephone Co, Communications Bn of the 3rd Ind Inf Brig. PW was given training in (1) basic electricity (2) nomenclature of telephone (3) care of lines (4) military science (5) nomenclature of weapons and (6) political indoctrination.

1 Dec 48: 3rd Ind Brig was changed to 3rd Div composed of four (4) Regts and was reinforced by 6,000 men. 3rd Div Hq was located in HAMHUNG (咸興). PW was assigned to Operation Plat, Communications Co, 7th Regt, 3rd Div. 1 Regt went to P’YONGYANG (平壞), one (1) Regt to HAMHUNG (咸興) and 3rd Div Arty Regt went to WONSAN (元山). PW’s 7th Regt went to P’YONGGANG.

15 Dec 48: PW was chosen as candidate for 1st KUNGWAN (軍官) HAKKYO (學校) (1st OCS). Took the communication course. The SAchool was located 8 km E of P’YONGYANG in SADONG (寺洞).

2 Oct 49: Graduated with the 3rd class and received a commission as Jr Lt with 1,000 others of various branches.

5 Oct 49: Assigned to the Ministry of Defense, Engineering Regt, Command Co, Communications Plat in KAN-NI (間里) 10 km N of P’YONGYANG. Was a Plat ldr.

1 Jun 50: The entire unit went on maneuvers to CHASAN (慈山). The Engineering Regt built bridges, strung telephone lines and performed regular combat engineer duties. Maneuvered for 15 days. 1,000 men participated in the maneuvers.

15 Jun 50: The 1,000 men were divided into two units. 500 men were attached to I Corps and 500 to II Corp.

25 Jun 50: I Corp arrived in YONGJONG-Ni (領北里) and built a heavy pontoon bridge. 3 x N2P pontoon assemblers carried a M34/85 medium tank across the channel 4 km wide. 5 tanks from PW’s unit were transported on the first day. This operation lasted for 5 days transporting food supplies, ammunition supply, artillery guns, light self propelled artillery, horses, trucks and tractors. All motor boats and heavy rowboats were confiscated and use f or the operation. This crossing of the HAN’GANG (漢江) River was to attack the KIMP’O Air Base and INCH’ON (仁川).

2 Jul 50: Arrived in SUSAEK (水色) which was located directly north and across the HAN’GANG (漢江) River from YONGDUNGPO. PW’s group waited 5 days for the other group which was to cross the river near SEOUL. It took the Engineer Regt 5 days to transport the equipment across the river because the bridge was destroyed on 28 Jun 50 by US aircraft.

20 Jul 50: Entered TAEJON (大田) via CHOCH’IWON (鳥政院). Built road across KUMGANG (錦江) River with sand bags. The bridge was hit by UN aircraft and made impassable.

30 Jul 50: Entered SINBAN-NI (新反里): Infantry crossed the NAKTONG River (洛東) on heavy N2P pontoons taking 2 days for the operation. The 4th Div of I Corps was the first to be transported across. They lost most of their equipment, weapon and men. Retreating order was given and personnel swam back to the W side of the NAKTONG River o/a 20 Aug 50.

20 Aug 50 - 4th Div received replacement of NK EM and SK conscripts. Attempted to cross the NAKTONG River again. The operation was successful after 3 days. Used 28 x N2P heavy pontoons. Aerial bombing by UN air force destroyed approximately 12 pontoons.

1 Sep 50: 2nd Div crossed the NAKTONG River by pontoon brigade with CH’ANGNYONG (昌寧) as their objective. 9th Div and 4th Div crossed the river by using N2p heavy pontoons and NLP pontoons at YONGSAN (靈山) and MIRTANG (密陽). 16th Armored Brig forded the NAKTONG River as reinforcement for the infantry units. Engaged in battle every day against the UN troops. Lost heavily in equipment and manpower.

15 Sep 50: The 9th Div retreated from YONGSAN (靈山) after 10 days of combat. The orders were to retreat to SINBAN-Ni and their primary objective was changed to TAEGU (大邱). Entered KORTONG (高靈).

18 Sep 50: The 2nd Div withdrew from CH’ANGNYONG Area. While the 2nd Div was retreating, the UN troops advanced 8 km N of 2nd Div and entered CH’OGYE (草溪) intercepted the withdrawal and inflicted heavy losses and took many PsW. The 4th Div also received orders to withdraw.

20 Sep 50: The 4th Div Arty Regt covered the infantry with artillery fire to retard the UN advances. They crossed the NAKTONG River N of P’U GONG-Ni (釜谷里).

21 Sep 50: The I Corp issued an order to retreat to all the remaining units E of NAKTONG River. Withdrawal destination was changed from place to place toward the north. The I Corps Hq was located in SANCH’ONG (山清) 1080-1380 and moved to 12 km S of TAEJON. PW remained with the Engineering Bn until most of the units completed their withdrawal across the NAKTONG River.

27 Sep 50: Engineering Bn lost so heavily that it was disbanded and PW was assigned to I Corp Hq as communications officer. O/a 1200 hrs I Corps CO received a telephone message from CHOCH’IWON (鳥政院) 1020-1520 from a Tank Div CO that CH‘ONJU (清洲) was not too heavily fortified and that he had 2- tanks with 1 Bn strength to attack the UN troops. Whether the operation took place or not was unknown.

O/a 1900 hrs all the high ranking officials from Corps CO down boarded every available vehicle and withdrew northward.

28 Sep 50: O/a 0300 hrs the troops of I Corp arrived 8 km S of CHOCH’IWON. 2 x tanks and an unknown number of vehicles arrived from TAEJON. The UN troops had already entered CHOCH’IWON, so the I Crops equipment and weapons were destroyed by burning. Troops scattered. PW was left alone and walked for approximately 5 days with the intention of returning to NK.

3 Oct 50: PW surrendered to civilian police in MASONG (馬城)

48 x Hvy pontoon N2P

24 x Lgt pontoon NLP

5 x motor boats

1 x amphibious auto

1 x amphibious tractor

70 x ZIS trucks

10 x portable power plants

The Engr Regt had to use roads during the night due to the type of heavy equipment. They used RR above the 38o parallel line.

The PW’s Engineering Regt was disorganized and considered a total loss.

CHO, In Mo (趟인모) Col, CO, Engr Regt.

KIM, Yon Yong (金연영) Capt, CO, Command Co.

LEE, Kon Mu (이건무) Lt Gen, CG, I Corps.

Remarks: Served in Chinese 8th Route Army prior to war. Was 4th Div CO, o/a 13 Sep 50 he was made CO of I Corps and succeeded KIM, Ung (金雄).

CH’ANG P’yong San (張平山) Maj Gen, G/3, I Corps.

Remarks: Product of Chinese 8th Route Army. Formerly was cief of staff of 3rd Div.

MU Chong (武亭) Lt Gen, CG, II Corps.

Remarks: Served in Chinese 8th Route Army prior to war and upon return to NK he was appointed Asa’t Chief of Stuff of the Ministry of Defense.

Until SINBAN-NI (新反里) Bn had high morale due to the fact that all the missions were successful and all necessary equipment was available for the particular type of duties they performed. Bn had adequate supplies of food and traveled by vehicles most of the time.

O/a 10 Sep 50 PW noticed that the 4th Div, 9th Div and 2nd Div suffered tremendous losses in equipment and personnel and were withdrawing. However due to his 4 years of military experience he tried to keep his morale up. When the I Corps Hqs ordered the entire unit to withdraw due to the landing at INCH’ON (仁川) he discovered that NKA was fighting a losing war. His morale dropped considerably.

Russian Advisors in I Corps Hqs. PW claims that he came all the way from NK to SINBAN-Ni (新反里). When I Corps withdrew to 12 km S of TAEJON he was still with the I Corps. He never wore a Russian Army uniform after crossing the 38o parallel. He disguised himself with dark glasses and wore a civilian suit. He was about 40 years old and 6 feet tall.

O/a Sep 50 another Russian advisor arrived in SINBAN-Ni and watched the Engr Regt transporting the heavy equipment of I Corps across the NAKTONG (洛東江) River. After his inspection he reported to the Engr Regt CO and remained there overnight, He was dressed in ordinary suit, stands about 6 ft or over and is heavily built. He was accompanied by NKA Capt who was acting as an interpreter. Name and rank of Russian officers was not know to PW.

For the Commanding Officer: