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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2635　8 November 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS Special Report #003)　1 December 1950

Subject was cooperative. Reliability - Fair.

3rd Army, 7th Div, 21st Arty Regt, 3rd Bn.

TUNGHUA (通化) Nov 46 - Jun 48. CHIAN (輯安) and HUANJEN (柦仁).

HSINGCHING (興京) which is approximately 12. km north of MUKDEN (奉天).

PW volunteered for the CCF when promised that his family would receive food and clothing rations.

Soviet equipment consisted of 76mm field guns, H-1942 "ZIS 3", "ZIS" 2½-ton trucks, and 120mm, M-1938, Regimental mortars.

Those troops who were wounded were taken to a field dispensary or hospital and given medical treatment. After recovering, they were given money and sent home. Those who had no injuries were given three (3) months weapons training and were integrated into the CCF and fought against Nationalist troops.

Clothing was issued in the Spring, Autumn and Winter.

In March of each year, one olive-drab cloth jacket and one pair of cloth pants were issued. In June of each year, the same articles were reissued. Prior to winter, cotton padded jackets, cloth overcoats and fur lined rubber shoes were issued. When a season was over, the clothing issued for that season was turned in. Cloth shoes were worn at all times except in winter.

Caps were olive drab and each soldier had one field cap and in winter a fur lined cap.

A white shirt (cotton) was worn by each man. Shirts were bought by the individual soldiers.

Daily food ration consisted of the following:

Once a week 160 grams each of rice, pork and flour were received. Other items were purchased by the individual soldier.

The propaganda section gave lectures on the reasons for the war, the main one of which that it was to fight against Capitalism. They said that there should be no rich nor poor. Everyone should be equal.

The propaganda section also put up signs telling the civilian population how the US moved into South KOREA, stripped the country and were taking over all airfields with the intent of occupying KOREA.

The poor classes were very polite towards the military and spoke well of them, but the richer class were opposed to them because the military took away their property, livestock and money and gave it to the poor.

Daily schedule for infantry soldiers was as follows:

0500 - Reveille

0500 - 0530 - Running exercises

0600 - 0630 - Breakfast

0630 - 1200 - Dismounted drill. 10 minute break every hour.

1200 - 1230 - Lunch

1230 - 1600 - Field training and rifle marksmanship.

1600 - 1700 - Police of the area.

1700 - 1730 - Rope climbing, push up exercises.

1730 - 1800 - Supper

1800 - 2000 - Recreation period.

2000 - 2030 - Roll call

2030 - 2100 - Ba thing

2100 - Taps

The above training lasted for one month. In PW's case, the 2nd and 3rd months were taken up by artillery training.

From 0630 - 1730 artillery training included nomenclature, terrain evaluation, fields of fire, firing of weapon, care and cleaning, camouflage and handling of ammo. Instructors were Chinese officers who had manuals on the weapons. Details concerning manuals were unknown.

PW was cooperative. However, he had poor memory and was unobservant. Reliability - Poor.

815th DIVISION BREAKDOWN:

16x60mm Guns

The entire 815th Division (composed of only Koreans) was moved into KOREA on 7th April 50 through SINUIJU (新義州) and was renamed as the 7th NK Division. The units strength was about 20,000 when it entered KOREA. The CO of the 815th Division was a Colonel called CHONU (全宇).

PW stated that when the CCF needed enlisted men, it alloted a certain quota to be filled from each county. In turn, the county alloted certain number to be filled by each village. Then, the village would ask for volunteers. If there were no volunteers, certain amount of men would be forced to join. Koreans and Manchurians were collected by the same method.

PW was very cooperative. Reliability - Fair.

PW was with 1364th Security Bn of 1364th Div (1364 師團), which was under the command of the 8th Route Army from Nov 48 to Mar 50. His chief duty was performed in a guard detail.

Organizational Chart of 1364th Div as of Mar 50

1364th Div Hq was located at HONAMSON SONGYANG HYON in CHINA.

Only about 80 Koreans were separated from the unit and sent to KOREA.

In June 48, all the villages, towns, counties and cities organized civilian defense units (民房). Hen from 18 to 35 years of age were required to join this organization. Training period was very irregular, usually about 10 days per month Training consisted of basic training without arms and continued for 2 or 3 months. The training program is planned by the head of the local defense organization. The chief duty of the organization was the protection of the village against bandits and fire, but the PW believes that the more important purpose of the organization was to give basic training to the youths prior to their regular military service.

All the men from 18 to 35 years of ages were subject to military service, The necessary number of personnel were drafted into the army at village offices or town halls in accordance with the quota set by a higher administrative agency. PW did not know the exact chain of this administrative procedure. The women in the same age bracket are eligible for military service; but their enlistment was purely on a voluntary basis, and the service was limited to administrative or medical work.

Monthly pay of the soldiers varies in accordance with local economic conditions, but it was usually 500 - 600 yen (圓) per month. He believed that the officers personnel received many times more pay than enlisted personnel but could not give an estimate.

PW was cooperative but had a poor memory. He was of average intelligence. Reliability - Fair.

1 Dec 48 - Engaged the KUOMINTANG Army in PEIPING (北京).

28 Dec 48 - CCF defeated the KUOMINTANG Army and captured approx 50,000 men.

Mar 49 - PW and 50 other CCF men ordered to proceed to HEILUNG-CHING-SHENG, CHINGAN-HSIEN, SHANTI SHENGSAN (黑龍江省 慶安 山地 生産) to farm a CCF owned farm.

371st Regt was stationed at TUNGHUA, MANCHURiA. Entered KOREA via CHIAN at MANPOJIN.

370th Regt, 124th Div also came to KOREA.

Pvt's received 1 lb of loose tobacco a month plus 20 yuan. Officers received 30 yuan monthly. (Chinese Currency).

The Chinese Communist Government withdrew all old money in July 50 and issued new money. Design of new money was the same as NK money.

50% were forced to join the CCF, others volunteered. Equipment captured from the Nationalist was utilized by the CCF.

In battle, each man is given 5 days rations - consisting of millet, salted cabbage and bean oil.

The duties of the Political Officers were to create fear among the troops of non-communist countries. Their main arguments were:

A. To be captured by the enemy would be instant death.

B. starve to death or fight.

Civil populace, especially the poor people, thinks highly of the CCF because it confiscates farmlands from landlords and distributes them evenly among the poor. Only rich people hate the CCF.

Illiterate, of low intelligence. Reliability - Poor.

The 370th Regt of the 124th Div was located at HSIANOTUNGKOU (小通溝). The entire 370th Regt entered KOREA o/a 16 Oct 50. No other units were known to have crossed the border at that time but PW heard from a fellow soldier on 28 Oct 50, that CCF reinforcements were to arrive in KOREA in the near future. No details.

CCF had no set recruiting program. Men were inducted against their will. PW believed that there was no age limit. The men were not able to refuse as such men were treated as reactionaries and were beaten by village Communist elements.

Soldiers and Sqd Ldrs received 81,000 yen, in currency issued by the Northeastern People’s Bank, regardless of the inflation situation. Pay of other grades unknown.

Soldiers were issued one bar of soap per three months therefore they had to buy their own supply most of the time. No candy or cigarettes were issued. Price of soap was 20,000 yen per bar as of Oct 50.

The people had an unfavorable attitude toward the CCF, especially because the CCF used civilian houses for their quarters with no consideration for the people living there. PW stated that even the poor farmers who received farm land and other commodities from the CCF, (confiscated from large land owners or wealthy people), were not in favor of CCF policies. They did not feel it right to take other peoples possessions.

PW seemed cooperative but did not. speak confidently when answering questions. Information is not too reliable.

PW was inducted into the Military District Troop located in PAITSAO-CHU (百草区溝) in April 49 and trained at a Military District Troop uhit for about 13 months. They were. taught how to use the M-99 Japanese rifle, and were also required to do farming in order to raise their own food. They were given 3 day passes every two or three months upon request of the individual. There were no passes issued except the 3 day passes.

PW was not too familiar with the organization of the Military District Troops, but explained as follows:

The Military District Troop was established in 1945 after the area was liberated by the Communists. The Troop was separated into 4 different echelons, namely the village (屯), town (面), county (縣), and prefectural (省) units. The 4 echelons were moved by the order of the Governor of the Prefecture (省長). The strengths of each echelon were: Village - 50, Town - 150, County 500, Prefecture - 1,500.

The training period of each echelon was unknown. PW thought that there was no specified period of training. Troops were all equipped with Japanese M-99 rifles. County and Prefectural Units possessed a few machine guns. The number of machine guns was unknown, but the type was M-92 Japanese HMG.

Soldiers with good conduct records and thbse who showed a willingness to be members of the CCF were selected from the town units and transferred to the county units. Country or Prefectural Units joined the CCF when required. The only differences between the uniforms of the Military District Troops and the uniforms of the CCF was that the Military District Troops’ uniforms were dyed black.

Members of Village. Units could stay at their own homes and were merely replacements for the Town Units. There were hardly any deserters because the penalty for desertion was death. Males from ages 18 to 25 were required to serve in the above Units.

PW was of average intelligence and was cooperative. Reliability - Fair.

4th Field Army, 42nd Army Gp, 125th Div, Mountain Gun Bn Breakdown of the CCF, 4th Field Army:

CCF 4th FIELD ARMY

Equipment of Mountain Gun Bn:

1st Company - Three 75mm mountain guns, made in the US. Approx 150 "Type 38" Japanese made rifles.

2nd Company - Same as above

3rd Company - Two 75mm mountain guns, made in US. Approx 150 "Type 38" Japanese made rifles.

Telephone Communication Unit - 8 US made field telephones (Telephone wire necessary). No armament observed in this unit.

Messenger Communication Unit - Type 38 rifles add two US made sub-machine guns.

Medical Unit - Supplied with unknown types of Russian made medicine.

Mar 49 PEIPING (北京), CHINA. 125th Div Hqs was in FUTEN (Kanji unk), located approx 6 km N of PEIPING (北京), CHINA.

Males between the ages of 16 - 38 were drafted in the army and females were on volunteer basis.

Soldiers with technical skill, for instance a Pvt in the medics received 1,800 yuan plus 1 kin (1.32 lb) of pork.

PW was recruited into the Chinese Army in MANCHURIA on the 1st of Jul 48.

Former Nationalist soldiers were recruited into the Chinese Army and captured equipment was used by the Chinese Communist Army.

Two green colored summer uniforms and one grey colored winter uniform a year. Eight “Tabi” (Sic) in summer and two fur lined shoes in the winter. Thin cotton sheet for bedding in summer and cotton padded bedding in winter.

½ kin (1.32 lb) cigarettes per month.

Two tooth paste containers and brush a year.

Two towels per year.

One bar soap per month.

Cooperative and intelligent. Reliability - Fair.

4th Field Army, 44th Army Group, 106th Div, 466th Regt, 2nd Bn HMG Co, 2nd Plat

Equipment - 446th Regt:

US Bazookas - 3

Japanese HMGs Type 92 - 18

Chinese 60mm Mortars - 27

Chinese 82mm Mortars - 9

45mm Anti Tank Guns - 2

German LMGs - 80

Hand Grenades - Unlimited

Japanese 1899 and Type 38 Rifles - 2000

US 75mm Pack Mountain Guns - 9 in Div

200 large horses - Used to pack supplies and equipment as well as saddle horses for officers.

Apr 49 - TUANFENG (圌风中國), CHINA.

Apr 50 - CHENGCHOU-SHIH (鄭州市).

7th Div.

Pay scale of Pvt to M/Sgt - 10,000 yuan a month (Chinese exchange)

Jr Lt to Capt - 15,600 yuan a month (Chinese exchange)

Exchange rate of Apr 50 was 1 Chinese yuan to 10 Manchurian yuan.

Apr to May 50 - The 4th Field Army moved back to HARBIN, MANCHURIA.

Of the captured Nationalist Troops - 90% joined or were forced to join the CCF.

Officers and EM are served 2 meals daily during the months of May to Oct. From Oct to May (winter) 3 meals daily. Officers food consisted of white rice, and meats (consisting of pork, beef and chicken). EM’s food consisted of millet, bean oil, meats (once a week), flour (once a week), and soup (daily).

Clothing consisted of 2 issues of summer and one issue or winter uniforms. 1 set of underwear to each EU yearly. EM received 3 issues of canvas shoes yearly.

The civilian population, especial the poor farmers think very highly of the CCF because, the CCF confiscates land from rich landowners and divides it equally among farmers who worked for rich landlords on a percentage basis. However, the rich Chinese people hate the CCF.

PW intelligent but uninformed. Reliability - Fair.

Jul 47 - Battle of SZEPING (四坪), MANCHURIA.

Oct 48 - Battle of CHINCHOU (錦州), MANCHURIA.

Jan 49 - Battle of TIENTSIN (天津), CHINA.

The 1st Arty Div was located at HENGYANG (衡陽), CHINA. PW later heard that this Div came to TSITSIHAR (齊口哈爾), MANCHURIA.

Only the Koreans in the unit came to KOREA.

First the CCF spread propaganda saying that Capitalism is bad for their country and pointing out the good points of Communism. They said that the young men must join their army and help defeat capitalism.

Former Nationalist soldiers are given two months of Communist indoctrination and then sent to the front to fight together with the CCF. The captured equipment was used by the CCF.

PW heard that an arsenal, producing tanks and artillery pieces was located in a place called TAIYUAN (太原), CHINA.

PW was unobservant and of low mentality. Reliability - Poor.

47th Army, 141 Div, Mt Gun Bn.

Unit Breakdown:

Equipment:

120mm Mt Guns were Japanese or American and formerly belonged to Chinese Nationalist Army.

421st Regt of the 141st Div was at LUNGSHAN (龍山), CHINA 29 Oct 49 when PW departed for KOREA.

2,000 Koreans came from the 141st Div, 421st Regt.

1,000 Koreans from the 15th Independent Div joined the 2,000 Koreans with the PW at CHENGCHOU (鄭州), CHINA.

Captured equipment was used by the CCF. Some PW's were put in PW camps while others were impressed into the CCF.

PW was cooperative but uninformed. Reliability - Poor.

164th Independent Div, 4th Regt, 2nd Bn, Hvy Wpns Co, 3rd Plat, 7th Sqd.

Equipment of the Hvy Wpns Company - 6 Japanese 79 type heavy machine guns. 6 American 60mm mortars.

CHANGCH’UN (長春) with the 11th Independent Div. (Redesignated 164th Div).

CHANGCH’UN (長春).

The entire 164th Independent Div o/a 23 Jul 49 entered KOREA with about 17,000.

PW heard that the 6th Div also came to KOREA. He also heard that a total of 3 Div left MANCHURIA at the same time.

Captured Nationalist Troops were impressed into the CCF after receiving political education. Captured food, clothing and equipment are used by the CCF.

The CCF troops are fighting at this time for the people and it is the will of the people to establish a new and better government in CHINA.

Civil populace treated the CCF troop very well.

PW was of below average intelligence. Reliability - Poor.

166th Div, 497th Regt, 3rd Bn.

Unit Breakdown: As of Jul 49.

Organization of three of the four companies in each battalion was the same, three squads to each of the three platoons per company. Number of men per squad varied from 10 to 12. The 1st, 4th and 7th squads in the three platoons of each company were all equipped with an American twenty round light machine gun. Twenty round clips were inserted from the top of the magazine. The three light machine guns in each of the three companies were manned by 6 men, 2 to each gun. All other men in each company were armed with Japanese "Type 99" and "Meiji 38" rifles and American 5-round carbines. American light machine guns and carbines were those captured from the Chinese Nationalist Army. Each man carried two hand grenades with wooden handles.

The fourth company in each battalion had two platoon, the Hvy Mach Gun platoon and 60mm Gun platoon, (both were divided into three squads.) There were nine men in each of the heavy machine gun squads. Number of men in the 60mm gun squad was unknown.

The heavy machine gun squads each had one American water-cooled, tripod, 450 round heavy machine gun. One heavy machine gun was manned by four men, commanded by a squad leader and an assistant squad leader. One man was in charge of leading a pack horse. Two men loaded ammunition on the horse and assisted in unloading the heavy machine gun from the horse. All of the men carried two hand grenades. Only the assistant squad leader was armed with a Japanese "Type 99" rifle.

There were three 60mm guns in the 60mm Gun platoon. Further details unk.

Each battalion had independent supply, reconnaissance, medical and signal squads.

Organization of battalions, regiments, and division are as shown on the chart. Further information on equipment and organization was not available. No unit codes or designations were used in MANCHURIA.

The 166th Div Hqs was in MUKDEN (奉天), MANCHURIA as of 19 Jul 49. The third Bn of the 497th Regt was stationed in TIENTAICHANG (天太昌).

The entire 166th Div departed North MUKDEN on 20 Jul 49 and arrived SINUIJU, North KOREA via ANTUNG on 1 Aug 49. In SINUIJU, the division was renamed 6th Division of the Korean People's Army after it was reinforced by recruits from North KOREA in Oct 49.

All Korean males between the ages of 20 and 35 were drafted if found to be physically fit for military service. Method of recruiting Chinese and Manchurian nationals was unknown.

As of Jun 49, pay scale was as follows:

2 bars of toilet soap per year

1 bar of laundry soap (every two months)

2 small towels per year

1 toothbrush per year

1 pair of cotton socks in the summer

1 pair of cotton padded cloth stocking in the winter

2 cotton khaki or green colored summer uniforms

1 cotton padded winter uniform

1 cotton undershirt (summer)

1 pair of cotton drawers (summer)

3 pairs of canvas rubber soled shoes (sunnier)

1 pair of canvas, cotton padded rubber soled shoes (winter)

(In the winter, the winter uniform was worn over the summer uniform)

Nine small bowls of rice were served once or twice a week. Ordinary daily food ration consisted of 10½ small bowls of kaoliang and a plateful of pickled Chinese cabbage. When there was no pickled cabbage, cabbage and corn soup was served. Pork was cooked in the soup one or two meals per week. On national holidays pork was boiled with noodles.

0600 - Reveille

0600 - 0630 - Morning exercises

0630 - 0800 - Personal hygiene

0600 - 0900 - Breakfast

0900 - 1100 - Study of Chinese history and Chinese classics, political indoctrination.

1100 - 1200 - Lunch

1200 - 1500 - Maneuvers, drills, rifle practice.

1500 - 1700 - Liberty, hours (games)

1700 - 1800 - Supper

1800 - 1900 - Singing of military songs

1900 - 2030 - Liberty hours

2030 - 2100 - Roll call

2100 - Taps

Winter schedule was practically the same with the exception that reveille was at 0700 hours and taps at 2200 hours.

Sunday was the regular holiday.

For the Commanding Officer: