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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 2860　15 January 1951

FIELD REPORT (1st Signal Intelligence Unit - Unnumbered)　5 January 1951

This is a consolidated report on the interrogation of 21 PsW along signal lines.

2. a. PW had one week's training as a lineman, telephone operator and laborer in a signal section. Assigned as switchboard operator in Tk Bn, performed this duty for 40 days prior to capture.

b. The following wire circuits and organizations were connected to his board:

(1) Regimental Hqs

(2) Motorcycle Unit

(3) Mortar Bn

(4) HMC Bn with extensions

c. A type K-10 switchboard was used at Bn Hq. Single ground wire return type circuits were used. One such circuit was recovered whenever possible during forward displacements.

d. Self-propelled guns and tanks organically assigned to the Bn used either motorcycle or dismounted messengers to maintain communications.

3. The diagram indicates the communication circuits described.

2. a. PW had 40 days training in 1st Sig Bn.

b. The Signal Bn sent signal teams to combat unit as requested.

c. PW was later used as field radio operator during retreat from SEOUL to P'YONGYANG. He further reports that (1) communication while on the march was at irregular and infrequent intervals and that his Staff Officer told him when to communicate with other units, and (2) an RBM type set was used on the march, sometimes a monitor was maintained while on the move.

2. a. PW received no military training.

b. Duties performed: Repaired field telephones, field switchboards and rehabilitated pole line circuits.

c. Apparently PW was a member of a construction crew which consisted of eight men.

d. PW claims he repaired or worked only Japanese equipment (CKI).

e. The crew was furnished no transportation; all movement was on foot.

f. The crew operated between SEOUL and WONSAN.

g. Only tools issued were a screwdriver, pliers and a knife.

2. a. PW had 10 days basic infantry training.

b. PW reports his Regt was allocated 23 type RBM radio sets, claims he saw the T/E of Signal Equipment.

c. His regiment had 82, 75 and 45MM guns. There were 4 Bns. The Bns using 75 and 45MM guns had the most radios issued to them. All guns were truck drawn.

d. From PW's experience at repairing the RBM type radio the following difficulties were most often encountered:

(1) Transmitter tube type 257 open filament.

(2) Transmitter resistors of value 150M and 250M ohms. Colored red, blue and yellow and yellow and olive drab respectively.

(3) The press to talk switch.

e. Batteries lasted approximately 8 to 10 days.

f. PW was issued the normal minimum of hand tools and a multimeter to repair the radio equipment.

g. Very little maintenance was required of the sets. Between 3 and 5 sets per month were repaired.

h. At Bn and lower echelons civilian repair facilities were used, when required. If no facilities were available the radio sets were forwarded through Regt to Brig for repair.

i. All radio equipment was received from the P'YONGYANG Signal Dump.

j. At Regt Hq Signal Officer personnel consisted of a Capt called a Staff Officer and a Lt radio officer. At Bn level there were Lt's and Jr Lt's Signal officers.

k. PW's unit was based at CHINNAMP'O and was part of the 239th Brigade.

2. a. PW was given no basic military training or any specialist training other than on the job training as switchboard operator and filed linesman. Worked as regimental switchboard operator, operating a 47 drop board of Japanese manufacture. Also worked on wire team laying field wire lines between battalion and regimental headquarters. PW did not report any pertinent information as to type or number of lines ran, equipment used, or other tactical information.

VI

2. a. PW's unit organization was as follows:

b. Each Company has 12x45MM Russian field pieces, two wheel carriage and truck towed. One communications team with each battalion consisting of four men; one squad leader with the grade of Sgt, three wireless operators who were Pvts. These teams are used for Artillery fire control. The wireless operators are on duty in three shifts, under the supervision of squad leader. The operators stayed with arty to receive target data from Bn Hqs. Russian type A7A pack sets were used, transmission was usually by CM. Maintenance was by higher echelon. If set was defective, operator would be given a replacement.

2. a. PW was one of an eight-man radio repair team consisting of four Jr Lts and 4 Pvts.

(1) Team repaired telephones, switchboards, radios, and sound projectors.

b. Equipment was Japanese Volt Ohmmeters, soldering irons, wire cutters, screw-drivers, pliers and test leads.

c. Most common troubles encountered were mechanical failures, broken leads and run-down batteries.

d. Tubes and parts were purchased locally; batteries from signal dumps.

e. Officers were former civilian repairmen who took technical examination to make their ratings.

f. 16mm and 35mm projectors were Russian and Japanese.

(1) Most common trouble was projection lamp.

g. Russian projectors would tear film due to improper track adjustment,

h. PW believes the North Koreans had no radar.

2. a. PW's unit consisted of about 60 men, evidently a Regimental Signal Co: 2nd Lt in charge. Worked with signal company as switchboard operator and field linesman under the direct supervision of a sergeant. Used Russian 12 magneto drop switchboard, metal case, door opening down from front to expose operating panel and cords. Case dimensions were about 2' by 18" by 12". Operator repaired his own switchboard with pliers and screwdriver, the only tools furnished him. The common fault of board was broken cords. Single wire ground return line was used - 7 strand field wire. One line ran to regimental commander, one to regimental observation officer, three to battalions, one to artillery organization and the rest were reserve lines. All lines were run with field wire which came in rolls of 500 meter length. Average line was four or five rolls long. Wire reels were packed on back of man. Station designation by code names of mountains, rivers, etc. Switchboard used 40V battery, dry cell type; not sure of voltage. Battery was changed every 24 hours. Replacements brought from signal dumps by officer (Jr Lt).

2. a. PW was given no military training.

b. PW repaired telephone equipment, worked at pole-line construction and also as electrician.

c. His organization had been at WONSAN for 3 years prior to his capture.

d. His platoon consisted of 15 men, 1 Jr Lt, 4 Sgts, and 10 Pvts, (5 wiremen and 5 telephone repairmen). They used Japanese field phones mostly. The coil and condensers were the most common defects. Runners were used between platoons. PW worked in shop with five men crew repairing telephones. The shop, with oil lights, charcoal burners and heat irons was very primitive. Shop had been set up for three years. Parts were requisitioned from signal depot by the officer-in-charge.

2. a. Upon entry in service he was interviewed as to technical ability and assigned as trainee. Was in a shop operated by one trained man who had eight trainees in his section. Period of training was indefinite. MULGAE-Ri, NAMCHON-Jon District schoolhouse was used for quarters and classes.

b. Instruction equipment:

(1) Japanese headset.

(2) Japanese tube tester.

(3) Japanese signal generator, 550 kilocycles in to 1500 kilocycles and up to 15 megacycles.

(4) Japanese and Russian volt-ohmmeter (leach).

(5) Japanese ohmmeter (5 to 10 meg-ohms).

c. Instructor had 6 years experience in civilian life and one month army service. Instructor was good radio man, forced to join army, and used his own equipment. A Jr Lt, who was skilled, supervised class activity constantly.

d. Each man was armed with a North Korean cavalry rifle.

2. a. PW's company consisted of four, twenty men platoons.

b. PW ran ground return line from his platoon to fire-control observation post. Observation post consisted of 10 men; one Jr Lt armed with a Russian pistol, one Sgt armed with a Russian SMG and eight Privates, each with a carbine. Observation post reported target azimuth and firing range.

2. a. PW worked with wire crew consisting of 4 to 5 men. Worked from N. Korean Hqs at P'YONGYANG. One line ran to regiment in WONSAN and two lines were run to Navy Hq at CHINNAMP'O. All lines were civilian open wire pole lines. Metalic circuits were used. PW's crew patrolled lines from P'YONGYANG to halfway points CHINNAMP'O and WONSAN lines. Another ran to Hqs rear at KAN-RI, about 15 miles north of P'YONGYANG. This was an open wire line. One corporal was in charge of 3 to 4 privates. Patrols walked, no transportation furnished. Regular patrols were not maintained. They went out only when line were broken. All testing was done with field phones. Men carried only linesman's hand tools. PW's unit moved north when P'YONGYANG was taken but he went AWOL and was captured at WONSAN.

2. a. PW's Bn consisted of three companies as follows:

(1) Radio Company

(2) Wire Company

(3) Independent training company of the 6th Div.

b. PW spent two months in training company and then transferred to wire company. This training method was discontinued in 1949 and a training school was put in operation in 1950. Training was classroom and field work. Upon completion of training he was returned present organization and worked as switchboard at the 15th Regimental Hqs operating what is known as a K-10 (GAR 10) Russian board which was a 10 drop, magneto board. These lines ran to:

(1) district civil army recruiting office

(2) town civil army recruiting office

(3) city Post Office

(4) city R.R. station

(5) 38th Parallel police station.

The other five lines were spare. The board located at CHAERYONG, HWANGHAE Province. Stations were coded by numbers changed at intervals of two weeks to one month. An American home-made, 20 drop switchboard was also used. These lines ran as follows:

(1) Regt'l CO(2) Regt'l Chief of Staff

(3) Div Hq

(4) Regt'l Exec Officer

(5) Staff Officer, G-3

(6) Artillery Field Officer

(7) Regt'l Hqs OD

(8) 1st Bn Inf

(9) 2nd Bn Inf

(10) 3rd Bn Inf

(11) Arty Bn

(12) Regt'l Supply Officer

(13) Regt'l Trans Officer

(14) Dispensary

(15) Regt'l CO quarters

(16) Exec Officers' quarters

(17) Arty Officers' quarters

(18) Supply Officers' quarters

(19) Navy Hqs Chinnamp'o

(20) 14th Inf Regt Hq, 6th Div

2. a. Received on the job training at the CHINNAMP'O Radio Institute since his company was stationed there.

b. After his training he was assigned to MOKPO area with four firing squads. He received fire directions orders from battalion. Batteries for radio set were not available so wire lines were used.

c. Each squad consisted of the following:

(1) one Sgt armed with a carbine.

(2) one Cpl armed with a submachine gun.

(3) seven Pvts, each armed with a carbine.

(4) one 76mm cannon (sights equipped with battery lights which were removed in the daytime).

(5) one Russian ENC truck.

d. PW also received thorough training on the Russian RBM Radio Set.

2. a. Received training in the army. Training class operated at Regt Hq. Studied operation of the Russian RBM radio set and code communications. Studied about 2 months after which his organization moved to SEOUL from area 5 miles above P'YONGYANG. Class consisted of about 80 men. The period of instruction was dependent upon the ability of the student. There were three instructors, one Captain and two Lts. Each class was divided into two parts, one in the classroom and one in the field. The field classes were instructed with the use of two RBM radio sets. Stations were located about ½ mile apart. Students carried tool and accessory bag containing hand tools, voltmeter and a case of 9 spare tubes. They also practiced phone operating procedure. Operators were instructed on basic maintenance. Students were told that the anticipated battery life was 24 to 36 hours.

2. a. PW was land-based in P'YONGYANG from 4 Oct 50 to 20 Oct 50. He was working at a telegraph operated from P'YONGYANG Hq to detachments at WONSAN, CHONGJIN and CHINNAMP'O.

2. a. PW's Bn consisted of 300 soldiers, 5 companies to Bn, 60 men per company, which included 24 signal specialists, specifically switchboard operators and repairmen.

b. The Bn had 2 Russian, 6 drop switchboard and 1 Russian radio, type unknown. The switchboard had 1 line running to regiment and the other five to the different companies. Supply was inadequate for requirements. Resorted to improvision. Supervision and duty assignments were handled by a Jr Lt. The officer submitted request and procured supplies.

c. PW stated that during civil school attendance, one hour of eight hours class work was confined to instruction of military subjects.

2. a. PW received no formal military or specialized training.

b. Squad sgt provided on the job instruction, Bn Co assigned troops to job, by interview. PW had a faint recollection of 1½V batteries used in field telephones, both Japanese and Russian. PW had no tools to work with, so resorted to improvisation.

c. PW had no knowledge of Pn T/O, since the Bn had no CP. Most of the time was spent hiding out in hilly terrain. Operations were carried out at night, due mainly to continued bom harassment. PW was not issued a weapon, due to insufficient supply. It was a common practice for rear echelons to be weaponless.

d. Morale was extremely low, aggravated by a scarcity of food.

2. a. PW received no formal military training.

b. The Bn consisted of Bn Hqs and 3 companies, sixty men per company, including 5 officers and 8 sgts, and 10 men per squd including 1 sgt.

c. Equipment: Each company hand 4 Russian TA-43 Field Telephones. Each squad leader had one repair tool kit. The tool kit contained a hammer, pliers, two sizes of screw drivers and tape. Tools were Japanese and Russian. Bn had only switchboards and radios. Spare parts, telephones and wire supplies were maintained by Bn who issued them to companies. An officer initiated requests for and obtained supplies. Telephone wire was issued in rolls of approximately one kilometer. Supplies were almost always available upon request. PW had no recollection or knowledge of other components handled by Bn Supply.

2. a. PW received 10 days training on physical conditioning and communications installation. Instruction was given by NCO, grade of Sgt.

b. PW's duties were confined to laying wire and telephone installation. Wire was layed from pack wire reels between Div and Regt and between Regt and Bn. No wire was layed between Bn and Companies. Communications between Bn and Companies was carried on by messenger. Wire utilized by Bn was of Russian manufacture. Could lay about 500 meters with one wire reel. Wire laying distance between Div and Reg Hqs was approximately 12 kilometers, between Regt and Bn about 4 Kilometers. They did no have any mobile wire laying equipment. Tool kits were issued one set per 5 EM, a Cpl and 4 Pvts. Kits contained, to the best of PW's knowledge, climbing spikes, linesman's belt, rubber gloves, hammer, hatchet, 1 pr pliers, a pr of wire cutters, 1 awl, 2 screw drivers (small and large) and 1 roll of tape (Russian manufacture).

c. Morale - Bn was issued regulation uniforms, had sufficient food. They received extra food rations, as an inducement to extra effort. Men were under constant pressure and were not too happy or satisfied about it.

2. a. PW received 15 days maintenance training on 30 drop Japanese switchboard.

b. PW possesses a vague knowledge of organizational structure. He stated that the Sig Section consisted of 1 Jr Lt, 2 Sgts, and 16 Pvts. All with exception of officer and Sgt were specialists, switchboard operators.

c. Equipment: Tool kits were scarce, had to buy most tools. Had 5 Japanese desk phones, 7 Russian field phones (type unknown), and one Japanese switchboard. Bn had one truck utilized to transport equipment. Requisitioned civilian transportation for hauling supplies. Spare parts and equipment generally of Russian manufacture. Used Japanese manufactured wire, described as seven strand. A scarcity of signal equipment and supplies exited. Regt Hqs was set up in a post office.

d. Morale was low. Officers and NCO's had to resort to forceful methods to maintain discipline.

For the Commanding Officer: