ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2651 9 November 1950
FIELD REPORT (164 - MISDI - 1229) 18 November 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | LEE, Sang Son (李相善) (리상선) |
| RANK: | Sgt |
| ORGANIZATION: | 17th Div, 17th Tank Regt, Inf Bn. |
| DUTIES: | Battalion Clerk |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (5 years) |
| AGE: | 20 |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| ADDRESS: | HWANGHAE DO, KUMCH’ON GUN, SOCH’ON MYON, IGU RI, #236 (황해도 금천군 서천면 이구리) |
| DATE & PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 090800 1 Nov 50 at unknown location. |
| INTERROGATOR: | H.N. |
PW was cooperative and spoke freely.
Information seems very reliable.
3. T/O & E AND STRENGTH OF UNIT:The Infantry Battalion of the 17th Tank Regiment was composed of seven (7) Rifle Companies, Guard Platoon, Medical Section, and Signal Section.
Infantry Battalion, 17th Tank Regiment, 17th Division.
A. Personnel: 725 officers & EM
B. Equipment & ammo:
30 LMGs (3x47 rd drums per)
30 SMGs (2x72 rd drums per)
610 M1891/30 Rifles (150 rds per)
20 M1938 Garbines
Hand grenade 2 or 3 per man
This Battalion was not committed to combat as of 9 Nov 50.
4. LOCATION AND ACTIVITIES OF UNIT:On 9 Nov 50, the Infantry Battalion, 17th Tank Regiment was deployed west of TAERYONG GANG in defensive positions near the RR Bridge located at YD 2093. During the day, troops remained in fox boles covered with wood and grass.
The 17th Division Headquarters was located at YD 9805 on 9 Nov 50.
During the night of o/a 2 Nov 50, large numbers of CCF troops entered SINUIJU (XE 2040) from ANTUNG (XE 1842).
During the night o/a 7 Nov 50, ten CCF soldiers marched North from CHONGJU (XD 9096).
5. PERSONAL AND UNIT HISTORY:
PW was inducted into the NKA on 10 Jul 50, and was assigned to a Border Guard Battalion located at SINUIJU (XE 2040). Received 15 days basic training with the entire Battalion (approximately 300 troops) at SINUIJU.
During Oct 50, a large number of recruits were assigned to the Battalion and a regiment with 4 battalions was formed. During the latter part of Oct 50, 3 Battalions were assigned to an unknown NKA Division. The remaining Battalion was designated as an Independent Battalion (approximately 300 troops). On or about 25 Oct 50, approximately 500 recruits were assigned to the Independent Battalion located at SINUIJU.
On 3 Nov 50, the Independent Battalion departed from SINUIJU and marched toward CHONGJU (XD 9096). While enroute to CHONGJU, the Independent Battalion was redesignated as an Infantry Battalion and was integrated into the 17th Tank Regiment, 17th Division.
PW heard that the PYONGTOKSI Battalion (평택시), a unit composed of troops from all over North KOREA who had participated in combat in South KOREA, was organized at SINUIJU o/a 28 Oct 50 and was integrated into the 17th Division o/a 3 Nov 50. Date of activation of 17th Division unknown.
The Infantry Battalion, 17th Tank Regiment was deployed in a defensive position, guarding a RR Bridge across TAERYONG GANG (River) on 9 Nov 50.
PW deserted his unit on 9 Nov 50 (PW was shot in the leg by a North Korean, while escaping) and surrendered to ROK 1st Division.
6. PERSONALITIES:LEE, Sang Gon (리상곤), Lt. Colonel (中佐), CO,
Infantry Battalion, 17th Tank Regiment.
PAK, Chae Uk (박재욱), Major (少佐), Culture Officer,
Chief Culture Section, Infantry Battalion.
7. FOOD AND AMMO SUPPLIES:Food & Ammo were transported by trucks from SINUIJU.
8. ARMOR & ARTILLERY:PW observed approximately 15 T-34/85 Tanks parked in CHONGJU (XD 9096) o/a 6 Nov 50.
During the night o/a 6 Nov 50, PW observed 4 T-34/85 Tanks, using headlights, heading toward PAKCHON (YE 2100) from CHONGJU (XD 9096). PW also observed artillery piece hidden under a bridge located 1 km east of CHONGJU.
9. MORALE:PW believes most of the troops in his unit wanted to desert. UN Leaflets and broadcasts from airplanes have a marked affect on the troops.
For the AC of S, G-2:
HONG
