ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2872 16 January 1951
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS FWD #1 – 0302) 12 January 1951
| PW NAME: | PYON, Sun Bong (邊順奉) (변순봉) |
| RANK: | Pvt( ) |
| AGE: | 22 |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| UNIT: | 6th Div, 15th Regt, 2nd Bn, 5th Co. |
| EDUCATION: | 2 years Middle School |
| OCCUPATION: | Student |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | WONJU (原州) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 7 Jan 51 |
| UNIT MAKING CAPTURE: | 23rd Inf. |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | KANGWON-DO, WONJU-GUN, PURON-MIYON, TANKANG-NI #857 (江原道 原州郡 富論面 丹江里 八五七番地) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | SEOUL-SHI, TONGDAEMUNKU, CHONGYANGNI-DONG #68 (서울市 東大門區 淸涼里洞 六八番地) |
| INTERROGATOR: | Cpl MIYOSHI (ATIS) |
| DATE: | 12 Jan 51 |
PW was cooperative. Information may be considered reliable.
Chronology
14 Aug 50 – Conscripted into the Peoples Volunteer Corps and received basic training for one week at SEOUL (서울).
22 Aug 50 – Approx 1,500 men departed SEOUL, and took cover during the day and walked at night via SUWON (水原), KONGJU(公州), NONSAN (論山), and CHONJU (全州). 1,500 men rested five days at CHONJU.
Sep 50 – 1,500 men arrived at NAMWON (南原). Here the men were separated into units. Approx 150 men departed for HAMYANG (咸陽), however, on the way they heard that UN forces were near HAMYANG, therefore, the 150 men returned to NAMWON.
Sep 50 – 150 men arrived at NAMWON and rested for two days.
Sep 50 – 150 men arrived at KURYE (求禮). Here they met approx 350 men who were part of the 1,500 men which came down from SEOUL.
Sep 50 – 500 men arrived at outskirt of SUNCHON (順天), rested for three days up in the hills.
Sep 50 – 500 men arrived at KOSONG (高城) and rested for approx 10 days.
Sep 50 – 500 men arrived at SOPUKSAN (mountain), vicinity of CHINDONG-NI (鎭東里). On SOPUKSAN, 500 men were integrated into 6th Div, 15th Regt, however, due to bombardment and fire power of UN forces, the 6th Division lost large numbers of men. 5th and 6th Company were combined and was called the 5th Company.
28 Sep 50 - 6th Division was disorganized and entire unit retreated North. During the retreat, stragglers from other unit joined the 5th Co, 2nd Bn, 15th Regt. They hid during the day and walked at night over narrow mountain paths. They stole food from mountain villages.
Dec 50 – Approx 1,000 men arrived at outskirt of CHONGCHON (前川), via YONGWON(寧遠). Near CHONGCHON, PW and men found winter uniforms piled on side of mountain road, and men helped themselves. The 1,000 men were reorganized and assigned as the 2nd Bn, 15th Regt, 6th Div. Weapons were picked up while the men were retreating toward North.
Dec 50 - 2nd Bn, 15th Regt, 6th Div arrived at KAECHON (介川) and began to prepare to take the offensive. Meanwhile 1st and 3rd battalions were reorganized with new men and men who retreated from the South. The 15th Regt was not completely reorganized. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of the other elements of 6th Div was unknown.
12 Dec 50 - 15th Regt departed KAECHON by battalions. The 2nd battalion marched during the night and took ■■■er during the day via SUNCHON (順天), ■…■(平康), KUMHWA(金化), YANGGU(楊口), HONGCHON(洪川) and HOENGSONG(橫城). While traveling between HOENGSONG ■…■, 2nd bn met many other unknown NK units heading South.
7 Jan 51 – 2nd Bn arrived at WONJU about 0500, approx 30 men of the 5th Co were spread along the HAN (漢江) river. Later they were ordered to a mountain located four km E of the HAN river. On the way to hill 29 men were killed by artillery barrage, and machine gun fire. PW was slightly wounded. Later PW observed other men captured by IN forces being marched down the road, PW also surrendered.
Unit Organization and Strength:
6th Division - 15th Regiment (other regt’s unknown)
15th Regiment – 3 Battalions
Battalion – 3 Rifle companies
Medical platoon
Supply platoon
2nd Battalion, 15th Regiment (as of 7 Jan 51)
Original 200 Present (as of 7 Jan 51) 400
Equipment:
2nd Co, 2nd Bn, 15th Regt, 6th Div.
2 LMGs
10 Submachine guns
Unit Duties:
5th Co, 2nd Bn, 15th Regt, 6th Div, was a combat company. Approx 50 rds of ammo were provided per man, after the ammo was used, men were told to take any captured equipment and utilize it. There were no replacements in PW’s unit.
Communication:
Communications between battalions and companies was by runners.
Morale:
Morale of the men was low due to inadequate food, and clothing.
Did you surrender? If so, Why? Answer: No.
Did not see or hear of UN leaflets and broadcasts.
For the Commanding Officer:
BATEMAN
