ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2524 5 December 1950
FIELD REPORT (164 - MISDI - 1222) 17 November 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | MUN Yong Pom (文永範) (문영범) |
| RANK: | Pvt (战士) |
| ORGN: | 71st Div, 3rd Regt, 1st Bn, 45mm Gun PLat |
| DUTIES: | None |
| EDUCATION: | 6 yrs |
| AGE: | 22 |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| ADDRESS: | P’YONGAN NAMDO, ANJU GUN, TONGMYON, NOPUKNI (平安南道 安州郡 東面 路北理) |
| DATE & PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 151000 I Nov 50 at SORIM MYON (YE 3306) |
| INTERROGATOR: | H. N. |
PW seems very honest and answered readily. Information seems reliable.
3. T/O & E AND STRENGTH OF UNIT:The 71st Div was composed of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Rifle Regiments.
The 3rd Rifle Regiment was composed of 3 Rifle Battalions and unknown units.
The 1st Rifle Bn was composed of 3 Rifle Companies, 1 45mm Gun Platoon, and unknown elements.
PW heard of HMG Companies, but did not know to which unit they were attached.
Personnel Strength: (as of 30 Oct 50).
45mm Gun Platoon: 15
1st Rifle Battalion: Approx 500
3rd Rifle Regiment : 〃 1,500
As of 30 Oct 50, the 71st Div did not have any weapons. Commander of 1st Bn, 3rd Regt, 71st Div told his men that weapons were coming from USSR, and would arrive in the near future. PW also heard from the Bn commander that their battalion was part of the 71st Division.
All men (except NCO’s and officers) were recent conscripts from P’YONGAN PUKTO (平安北道) and P’YONGAN NAMD0 (平安南道). Ages of the recruits ranged from 14 yrs to 45 yrs. Majority of the recruits were over 38 yrs old.
4. LOCATION AND ACTIVITIES OF UNIT:The 71st Div Hq and many of the troops of the division were billeted in a middle school located at CHONGSONGJIN (XE 5674) 30 Oct 50. During the day troops were sent to hills near CHONGSONGJIN to dig foxholes.
Approx 200 CCF Cavalry troops were observed o/a 28 Oct 50 passing through CHONGSONGJIN on horses and heading south. Troopers were armed with SMG’s and rifles.
On 2 Nov 50, PW observed on the road between SAKCHU (XE 7473) and TAEGWAN DONG (XE 8753) approximately 10,000 CCF troops marching south. Troops were armed with rifles and SMG’s. PW observed 10 trucks with this unit.
O/A 6 Nov 50, PW observed approximately 3,000 CCF troops at TONGMYON (YE 2022) and on hills (VIC YE 2419). Troops were engaged in construction of log pill boxes on the hills. (Pill boxes were constructed approx 10 to 15 meters apart.) Some CCF troops were laying telephone wire. PW only saw SMG’S and rifles with these troops.
5. PERSONAL & UNIT HISTORY:PW was inducted into the NKA at CHONGSONGJIN on 26 Oct 50 and was assigned to the 71st Div, 3rd Regt, 1st Bn, 45mm Gun Platoon. (PW believes that the division was recently activated.) PW was exempted from duty because of blistered feet. PW deserted his unit 29 Oct 50 and travelled through mountains (to avoid detection by CCF or NKA units) to SORIM MYON (YE 3306) where he was captured 151000 Ⅰ Nov 50.
6. FOOD & AMMO SUPPLIES:Troops of the 71st Div were fed an average of once a day at CHONGSONGJIN (XE 5674) during the period 26 Oct 50 to 29 Oct 50.
7. MORALE:Morale of the troops of 71st Div seems to be low because the majority of the men were overage and did not want to fight. They were worried about their families.
8. GENERAL INFORMATION:PW heard from a civilian that CCF troops were disliked by North Koreans because they stole livestock from the farmers.
For the AC of S, G-2:
HONG
