ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2679 12 December 1950
FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS LDI - 0195) 29 November 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| NAME: | CHOU Nai Su |
| AGE: | 23 |
| RANK: | |
| DUTY: | Asst Sqd Ldr |
| UNIT: | 40th Army, 120th Div, 359th Regt, 2nd Bn, 6th Co, 3rd Plat, 7th Sqd |
| DATE AND PLACE CAPTURED: | 260600 I Nov 50, at a point approx 8 km NE of KUJANG DONG (BV-4517) along the CHONGCH'ON River |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School 5 years |
| CIVIL OCCUPATION: | Iron Miner |
PW was cooperative and willing to give information. Information seems reliable, especially on distances, although unfamiliar with place names. However, PW is not recommended for further interrogation, because information is limited.
3. MILITARY HISTORY:PW believed approx 30 men (believed to be all lightly wounded), escaped out of the 6th Co (original 130 men), Out of the whole 2nd Bn approx half of the original 540 men were believed to have escaped alive.
The 3rd Bn strength was approx 650 men.
The 1st Bn strength was approx 600 men. One Co out of this Bn crossed the CHONGCH’ON River with the 2nd Bn and the rest of them were with the regimental headquarters; be believes they were to guard the regimental headquarters.
PW believed the 120th Div Hq personnel were sent down to Regt Hq to direct the troops, The assistant div commander was heard to be with the 359th Regt CP.
According to PW, prior to this offensive, they took their position on mountain area, which was approx 12 km N of UNSAN (YE-3927), digging trenches and behind that individual foxholes. The 40th Army were there waiting for the enemy offensive for approx 10 days, however, since no enemy showed up 39th Army took over their position and 40th started offensive.
PW stated that 39th and 40th Army of CCF troops (approx 86,000) entered from SINUIJU. He heard that altogether 8 armies had entered in NORTH KOREA.
2nd Bn Hq was located at a mountain (approx 150 meters high), which was approx 800 meters NW of a point approx 8 km NE of KUJANG-DONG along tho CHONGCH'ON River.
The 359th Regt was separated on 24 Nov. The 360th Regt was believed to be marching behind (4 km) of the. 359th Regt and PW heard that 360th was to follow the 359th Regt.
On the night of 25 Nov, the mission of the 2nd Bn was to attack the enemy across the CHONGCH’ON River and continue its offensive, however, how far they were supposed to go was unknown. According to PW, his unit knew that the enemy was located on the other side of the river, in mountain area approx 4 Ian from the river. They waited till darkness and started to cross the river at about 2200 hours on 25 Nov 50.
PW heard that the 40th Army’s intention was to proceed straight and as far as the east coast of NORTH KOREA, He heard that the enemy was composed of one British Division and two US Divisions, so if they smash these divisions and cut off the supply line they would win the war.
3rd Bn crossed the CHONGCH'ON River on 25 Nov at the point approx 500 meters upstream of the place where they crossed the river. He believed the 3rd Bn Hq followed the Bn and the Bn had taken the mountain which was located approx 1 km S from the river. He believed the 3rd Bn is still in that area opposing the enemy.
According to PW the 40th Army is the main force, composed of pure Manchurian CCF troops (8th Route Army), and considered the most powerful army. The other armies like 39th, 38th, and 42nd were mostly composed of former Nationalist troops and were weak.
For the AC of S, G-2:
IIDA
