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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2697　13 December 1950

The following information was obtained from recovered American military personnel who were interrogated upon their arrival in JAPAN, from KOREA, by Central Interrogation Center, ATIS. Interrogation was conducted at the Tokyo General Hospital and at the 128th Station Hospital by Lts NUNLEY and FUSCO.

Source was captured when surrounded with a group of about 30 men by CC Forces. They were taken north to PYOKTONG where they crossed a river to a settlement 800 yards from the Manchurian border on the Korean side.

This PW Camp contained approximately 350-400 American prisoners and a larger number of South Korean prisoners. There were 6 or 7 Chinese who spoke fluent English in addition to a North Korean Major HAN, who was also very fluent and who was working with the Chinese. High ranking officers could not be distinguished, from low ranking officers except for the fact that the former were called "Superior" and not by rank. Among the Chinese interpreters was one female. She interpreted for the Chinese officer (probably Propaganda officer) when he addressed, the group of 27 who were to be released.

Each of the Americans was interrogated separately. The organization chart of the 8th Cav Regt was in front of the interrogator when Source was interrogated. Most of the information was filled in and the chart was used as a measure of cooperativeness of the various PsW. Source was asked to give his impressions of Soviet Russia, and also to describe what Americans are told about Russia. Since he was in an artillery unit, the Chinese wanted to know about the nomenclature and functioning of various artillery pieces. Source claimed ignorance stating he was just a telephone operator. His wallet and papers were confiscated and the contents were checked during the interrogation. His address book was of special interest to the Chinese who questioned about the persons listed, especially those listed as living in Washington D.C. Source had a lady friend in that city and was sure his interrogation was prolonged because of this.

Treatment in general was fair. The Chinese did all in their power to keep it that way. In fact, because a North Korean soldier at Camp had treated an American PW badly, he was reprimanded and an apology extended to the American.

All the prisoners were told that they were going to the "rear" and would be sent to school while they were at PYOKTONG. It was never determined where the "rear" was.

The day before the release of the 27 Americans, the female Chinese interpreter, about 20 years of age and rather pretty, notified each of the lucky ones individually. They were called together and given a propaganda talk on the merits of STALIN as opposed to the "capitalist imperialists" President TRUMAN and General Mac ARTHUR.

Upon leaving the PW Camp the Americans were accompanied by Major HAN, the North Korean. This man was about 40 years old, short, heavy set, weight about 170 lbs, has black hair and wore brown horn-rimmed glasses. He left the 27 Americans with a parting propaganda speech about 4 kilometers in front of the American lines.

Source, who was the Regimental S-2 Sergeant stated that he had positively identified the units which captured his group as being elements of the 88th and 89th Chinese Divisions just prior to his capture.

The Chinese had occupied all the high ground surrounding the American unit, both topographical and military crests. The Chinese did not waste ammunition. They usually fired their machine guns in bursts of 3 to 5. They used a potato masher type hand grenade effective range of which was 8 feet and which gave out a heavy black smoke upon explosion. They also used a home-made, crude package with a fused charge. The size of the package was approximately 10 x 7 x 6 inches. It was used for anti-personnel purposes.

The first thing the Chinese took from the PsW were their weapons and ammunition. They also took their gloves. The Chinese were warmly dressed, except for their hands which were unprotected against his elements.

During a break on the march north M/Sgt LONG escaped by hiding on the side of the road and returned to the American lines 6 hours after his capture.

At about 0100 hours on the morning of 22 Nov 50, 27 wounded American prisoners were released by the Chinese Communists at YONGBYON, KOREA. The men were told to proceed south for about four kilometers where they would contact American troops.

They started out, with three men about 150 yards ahead of the main body. When they arrived at the American lines the entire group marched through an outpost platoon without being challenged. All members of the platoon were asleep. The three men in front were within 150 ft. of a Bn command post of the 7th Cav Regt before being challenged.

For the CO, TIS: