ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 2832 10 January 1951
The following information was obtained from recovered American military personnel, who were interrogated upon arrival in JAPAN from KOREA by Central Interrogation Center, ATIS. Interrogation was conducted at Tokyo Army Hospital by Lt. FUSCO.
Source who was wounded and enroute to an aid station was captured by Chinese Communist Forces on 27 November 1950 near P’YONGYANG. He was taken to a CP 3 or 4 miles distant, where he was stripped of his coat, jacket, wallet, pictures, dog tags and ID Card. He was allowed to rest until 0400 hours.
He was forced to walk to the north until 1800 hours, rested and started off again at 0100. He was taken to what he believed was a Corps CP where he was interrogated by an English speaking Chinese officer. The interrogator wanted to know about new American weapons. He showed considerable interest in a 75 recoilless rifle which had been captured. He forced the Source to fire it, even though he told the Chinese that he had never done so.
The interrogator then started to ask him about his family life, names, addresses and ages of parents and relations in PENNSYLVANIA. It was obvious from the interrogator’s knowledge of the city of PHILADELPHIA that he had been there. He did admit that he had also “visited” WASHINGTON, D.C. The Source stated that he began to feel more at ease. It was then that the Chinese officer attempted to indoctrinate the Source who was a Negro. He declared that forcing a man to sit in a special section of a bus because of his color was racial discrimination not possible in a Communist society. He also offered the Source a job with the Chinese Communist Forces where he would not have to fight again. He was told that if he accepted he would be sent to CHINA to a Communist School. The Source turned down the offer but was nevertheless released at SUWON.
A Caucasian officer was seen often at the Corps C.P. He stayed in the background but it was clearly evident that he commanded a great deal of respect. This officer was about 45 years old, 6’3” tall, weighed over 200 lbs and wore black-rimmed glasses. As a sidearm he carried a TTM 1933 TOKAREV pistol which was positively identified by the Source. The authority that this man possessed was shown when he ordered the Chinese not to shoot the Source. The Chinese were about to execute him because they felt he was not cooperating with them especially concerning the 75 recoilless rifle. (Source was very positive on this point.)
When his unit’s position was overrun, Source was captured by Chinese Communist Forces about 30 miles north of HAMHUNG. He was taken to a small CP where they took his helmet and boots and where he was interrogated by an English speaking Chinese who described himself as “not a soldier, but a writer”. The interrogation lasted over an hour. The Source said that it was more like a friendly conversation. He was asked about his education, home life and his home town which happened to be COLUMBUS, GEORGIA. His wallet and letters from his wife and mother were taken from him. His interrogator who had been to AMERICA, knew ATLANTA, GEORGIA and the state of CALIFORNIA well.
The Source was liberated when his unit retook the position six hours after his capture.
For the CO TIS:
AURELL
