ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2089 26 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS FWD - 0126) 23 October 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | CCHU, Cheng Son (朱昌善) (주창선) |
| RANK: | Cpl (上等兵) |
| AGE: | 25 |
| DUTY: | Tank Repairman |
| UNIT: | 17th Div, 2nd Tank Bn |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School - 6 yrs |
| OCCUPATION: | Mechanic |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | UISONG (義城) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 12 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | PYONGYANG, SINLI # 19 (平壤 新里 #19) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | PYONGYANG, SINLI # 194 (平壤 新里 #194) |
| INTERROGATOR: | Cpl HATTORI (ATIS) |
PW was cooperative and appeared to be of average intelligence. Information seems to be reliable.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
8 Jul 50: Conscripted in PYONGYANG (平壤) and assigned to the 17 Div, 1st Tank Bn, as a tank mechanic. He did not receive any basic training but was promoted to the rank of Cpl.
19 Aug 50: Departed PYONGYANG by train.
1 Sep 50: Arrived UISONG (義城).
2 Sep 50: Departed UISONG and arrived YONGCHON (永川), and engaged in combat with UN Forces. PW and 1 other soldier deserted.
3 Sep 50: Escaped to UISONG (義城) and hid.
23 Sep 50: Surrendered voluntarily to UN Forces.
Equipment (1st and 2nd Tank Bn only)
1st Tank Bn - 22 × T-32 Russian medium tanks; 82mm mortars; 2 LMG’s; 200 sub-machine guns; and 1 truck (to haul rations only).
2nd Tank Bn - 20 × T-32 Russian medium tanks; 82mm mortars; LMG’s; sub-machine guns; and 1 truck.
On 2 Sep 50, when the 17th Div was engaged in combat for the first time, 10 T-32 medium tanks, belonging to the 1st and 2nd Tank Bns, were destroyed.
Unit Duties:
The 17th Div was dispatched to YONGCHON (永川) to engage the UN forces, which were advancing toward the city.
Unit History:
The 17th Div, prior to 10 Jul 50, was known as the 16th Div. The unit redesignation took place in PYONGYANG (平壤) on 10 Jul 50. Reason for the redesignation was unknown.
Intentions:
When the 17th Div entered the YONGCHON (永川) combat area on 2 Sep 50, it was reinforced by the 8th Div and 5th Div. A plan to replace the casualties of the three Divs with fresh men from the rear was made.
Knowledge of other Units:
8th Div and 5th Div were located in YONGCHON (永川) on 2 Sep 50 as reinforcements for the 17 Div.
Personalities:
Maj U, Bong Hak (禹鳳鶴); 1st Tank Bn Co.
Morale & Propaganda:
The morale of the PW’s unit was very low. 20% of the personnel of the 17th Div were college students. Contributing factors were that the majority were forcibly conscripted, the lack of arms and lack of training. UN propaganda leaflets influenced him to surrender. The effect of these leaflets on the unit was unknown.
4. GENERAL:Russian Personnel:
In PYONGYANG on 19 Aug 50 PW observed six (6) field-grade Russian officers inspecting the tanks of the 1st Tank Bn. PW heard from fellow soldiers that they were military advisers to the units in PYONGYANG (平壤). These officers were also observed in YONGCHON (永川), where the 17th, 8th, and 5th Div engaged in combat with the UN Forces.
Korean 8th Route Army:
Observed many NK 8th Route Army soldiers mixed with the men of the 17th, 8th, and 5th Divs. The NK 8th Route Army men usually bragged about their connections with the famous unit. These men were experienced soldiers with high morale. Their uniforms were exactly like those of the men in the 17th, 8th, and 5th Divs. Each man of the 8th Route Army was furnished with a rifle or sub-machine gun.
Equipment:
PW stated that the Russians did not furnish the 17th Div with enough tanks and ammo, besides other weapons and supplies, to carry out a full offensive war in early Oct 50. What weapons the 17th Div received were either obsolete, in need of repair, or worthless.
Tanks could not carry out full scale operations, due to the fact that ammunition was very scarce.
For the Commanding Officer:
BATEMAN
Executive
