ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2509 4 December 1950
FIELD REPORT (521 - MISD - Interrogation Report)
This report is the result of a request from Air Forces A-2. It was requested that the effectiveness of ordnance used by UN aircraft bc determined. 50 PW’s were questioned. To make this survey as accurate as possible, tho 50 PW’s were screened from approximately 300.
The PW’s questioned were only these who had actually experienced attacks by all four types of ordnance; napalm, rockets, 20 mm MG, and 250 lb Frag Bombs. From tho 50 PW’s interregated 10 were CCF and 40 were members of the NKA.
It is very difficult to conclude one type as being more effective than the others due to the individual experiences of tho PW’s. For example one PW stated a direct hit of a rocket on one machine gun crow as being the most effective while the others stated that the rockets mainly concentrate on tanks and trucks and not troops, Consequently, the former believes rockets most effective while the latter believes not.
The attached graph shows the result as follows:
1. QUESTION: Which type of ordnance has the most effective power?
a. Dug in
250 lb Frag Bomb 29
20mm MG 17
Napalm 0
Rockets 4
b. Open
250 lb Frag Bomb 14
20 mm MG 30
Napalm 5
Rockets 1
c. Houses
250 lb Frag Bomb 10
20 mm MG 5
Napalm 33
Rockets 2
2. QUESTION: Which type of ordnance has the most effective power to morale?
250 lb Frag Bomb 26
20 mm MG 19
Napalm 2
Rockets 3
3. QUESTION: Which type of ordnance do you believe had the highest casualty rates?
Strafing 28
Bombing 3
Dive-Bombing 19
4. QUESTION: What method of air attack do you consider most effective generally?
Napalm and 250 Fragmentation Bombs combined 50
RESUME OF SURVEY
Question 1 a.
The majority stated that the 250 lb Frag Bombs were the most effective if used alone although being dug in reduces efficiency greatly as troops are protected from shrapnel and blast. A great number also staed 20 mm MG as being the most effective, especially when in trenches. Not one stated Napalm. All PW’s believe Napalm is not deadly although they suffered quite a few casualties due to this ordnance. PW’s who stated rockets wore most effective were in dugouts.
Question 1 b.
This depends greatly on whether massed or scattered, in complete open or in mountains. The majority stated 20 mm MG as being the most effective especially on roads or rice paddy. 20% stated 250 lb Frag Bombs wore better on massed troops in the open, 10% stated their units experienced heavy casualties in the mountains due to Napalm, One PW believes rockets had great effect in the open.
Question 1 c.
66% stated Napalm was the best for troops in houses duo to the construction of Korean houses. They stated there was very little chance to escape. Others stated 250 lb Frag Bombs were more effective because of their destructive blast which would give no chance for people to escape. In houses where troops are quartered, 20 mm MG and rockets will have great effect, some stated.
Question 2.
The question asked, “What type of ordnance do you fear the most?”
The result seems to be based mainly on their past personal experience. More than 50% stated they feared the 250 lb Frag Bombs the most, regardless of surroundings because they had actually soon and experienced its destructive power. A great number also stated they fear 20 mm KG the most because of its rivetting like noise and accuracy. Some stated they aren’t afraid of 20 mm MG because one won’t die unless hit directly.
Question 3.
28 PW’S stated they have no chance to escape from strafing while 19 stated dive-bombing caused the greatest casualties. Only three stated they believe bombing had the highest casualty rate. These three were from cities.
Question 4.
All 50 PH’s stated using Napalm first and Frag Bomb, in addition, was deadly. This is because Napalm would force them to emerge from dugout or other concealment which would give full efficiency to frag Bomb. One PW stated hundreds of troops died when a tremendous amount of Napalm surrounded a hill and Frag mentation bombs were dropped. They also added that Napalm combined with 20 mm MG likewise is effective.
Similar parallel survey mas done on the effectiveness of artillery but a good result was not obtained due to their lack of knowledge of different types of artillery ammunition. 19 PW’s stated they fear air attacks more, although artillery has more accuracy. 7 stated they fear artillery more than they do air attacks. 4 stated they are not afraid of UN Artillery because it is inaccurate.
10 CCF were, in addition, questioned as to what they thought of UN infantry, 2 stated they are not afraid of infantry, 5 answered, “US troops are too well equipped” and gave no further answer. 3 stated UN troops wore very strong.
Special interrogations of this type, on different branches of the services and ordnance, is contemplated in the future and will be published from time to time.
Interrogation conducted by TSUDA.
For the AC of S, G-2:
SHORT
