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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2587　7 December 1950

FIELD REPORT (Ⅸ CORPS - LDI - 0184)　22 November 1950

PW was cooperative and answered questions freely, however, due to lack of tactical information and poor memory he is not recommended for further interrogation.

PW was inducted into the army on 14 Jun 49 at PUKCHON (DU-4255) and was sent to SIBYON-NI (BT-9941) to receive basic training with the 7th Security Brig, 4th Sqd, 3rd Plat, 15th Co. Of the original 20 Cos, 1 to 20, only the 11th, 12th and 15th Co were in SIBYON-NI for the purpose of training. The rest of the Cos were guarding the 38th parallel. The 11th, 12th and 15th Co remained in SIBYON-NI until 19 Jun 50 at which time they departed for CHENG-NI (DT-1215) by trucks arriving 21 Jun 50. Upon arriving there they were met by the other 17 Cos. Here they prepared for battle and on 30 Jun 50 the 7th Security Brig departed for SEOUL by trucks arriving on 3 Jul 50. At SEOUL they recruited about 3,000 South Koreans and on 16 Jul 50 the 7th Security Brig was renamed the 7th Div. On 18 Jul 50, the 7th Div marched to KWANGJU arriving o/a 18 Aug 50, Here they were put on guard and took training. o/a 28 Lug 50, they marched to CHUNGGYO-RI (DQ-3915) arriving o/a 7 Sop 50 and on 23 Sep 50 the 7th Div started its retreat because of the onslaught of the enemy. During their retreat they passed through the following mountain ranges and towns below the 38th parallel: HWANGSOK-SAN (CQ 8845), TAIN-MYON (DR-4534), TIEDOK-SAN (DS-9421), Above the 38th parallel the following towns were passed: 12 Km W of YANGYANG (DT-6713), KANSONG DONG (BT-2487), and SACHON (BU-7129).

In SACHON the Div stayed for 3 days. During the first day, the Div Hq personnel were assembled and given a 30 minute lecture by the Div commander. PW stated that this lecture was given on the anniversary of the Soviet Revolution 10 Oct 50. PW stated that this lecture was more in the nature of propagandizing RUSSIA. They were also told to clean their rifles and prepare for battle, however, PW did not know where or when this battle was to take place. Immediately after this lecture, and for 2 days to follow, all enlisted men were given training. Also at this lecture PW observed a newly painted sign on the Div commander’s desk stating that it vas the 851 Army Unit Conference Room, however, he did not know whether the 7th Div had changed its designation or not, On 13 Oct 50 they marched to TAEDONG-NI (date of arrival unknown)

The 7th Div consisted of approx 3,000 North Koreans and approx 3,000 South Koreans, who were forced volunteers. PW stated that he did not know the breakdown of the 7th Div, however, the Rcn Co consisted of 2 Plats with 35 men in each. Each Plat consisted of 4 Sqds.

During their retreat (place and date unknown) the 7th Div was separated into 3 Regts (designations unknown) of 1,000 mon each and the Div Hq of 2,000 men.

When they crossed the 38th parallel they carried rifles, SMGs, HNGs, LIGs, 82mm Mortars, and 45mm cannons, However, PW does not know the amount. Each man carried on the average of about 50 rounds of small arms ammo and 2 hand grenades. Ammo for the LMG, HMG, SHG Mortars, and 45mm cannons unknown. PW stated at present only 1,500 men of the 7th Div Hq were armed with either SMG (PPSH) or Russian rifles. They carried on the average of about 40 rounds of ammo.

When they crossed the 38th parallel each man carried 3 day’s rations. However, after this was consumed they procured their food by confiscating it from the people.

Upon the outbreak of war, PW’s unit was given a now issue of clothing, however, this consisted of only 1 set of summer uniform. The old uniforms were turned in, Thereafter none were issued.

PW stated that communication was usually by telephone, however, when they started their retreat the telephones were all left behind. During their retreat communication between the various Regts under the 7th Div vas conducted through runners.

On 13 Nov 50, PW and 12 others were ordered by the Div commander to go to NAMYANG-NI (BU-7784) for the purpose of scouting the town for enemy troops. their secondary mission was to see that there were adequate houses to billet the troops. They arrived in NAMYANG-NI on 16 Nov 50 and while having noon meal in a civilian house they were encountered by an enemy patrol at which time PW was captured. At this time the Div CP was located in TAEDONG NI (BU-9332) and only the 7th Div Hq was there. However, they were waiting for the other 3 Regts to come. PW did not know where the other 3 Regts were or when they were to come. The 7th Div Hq consisted of 2,000 men, 70 men were of the Rcn Co, and 150 men of the Engr Bn. PW did not know the unit designation of the remainder.

PW stated that o/a 18 Sep 50 approx 10 Km E of CHUNGGYO-RI the 7th Div encountered the enemy for 2 days and lost about 3,000 men. These men were never replaced. However, during their retreat north they gained approx 2,000 men all of whom were stragglers.

At SEOUL, between 3 Jul and 16 Jul 50 the 7th Div (which was, at that time the 7th Security Brig), received approx, 3,000 South Korean forced volunteers 40% of whom were armed. The remaining 60% obtained their weapons from the dead.

Div CG : LEE Ik Son (리익성), Maj Gen, age 56

Co CO : YO Byon Nam (여병남), Sr Lt, age 29

Plat Ldr : CHE Kil Chin (최길진), Sr Lt, age 29

Above mentioned platoon leader with the PW at the time of capture, however, he escaped.

Movement was made only at nights. In some cases runners were sent ahead, other times people of the village were forced to guide them, On especially dark nights they would walk in single file and tie a piece of white cloth around their arm so that the man behind could see it.

PW stated that the morale among tho men was high, when they crossed the 38th parallel, however, during their retreat it was low because they knew that they were losing the war.

For the AC of S, G-2: