ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2905 17 January 1951
FIELD REPORT (164 MISDI - 1297) 31 December 1950
| PW NAME: | YEH, Shu-Nien (葉書年) (Chinese) |
| RANK: | Pvt (战士) |
| ORGANIZATION: | CCF, 4th Field Army, 38th Army, 113th Div, 339th Regt, 3rd Bn, 8th Co, 3rd Plat, 7th Sqd. |
| DUTIES: | Rifleman |
| EDUCATION: | 2 years |
| AGE: | 24 |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| ADDRESS: | SHANTUNG SHENG, CHING TAO-SHI, TSU-CHUANG-LU #6 (山東省 靑島市 祚莊路 6號) |
| DATE & PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 310800 Dec 50 at 5 Km SE of YONCHON (CI 3117) |
| INTERROGATOR: | H.N. |
PW was very cooperative and talked freely.
The information seems reliable.
PW was inducted into the CNA at SHANTUNG SHENG (山東省) 1 Apr 46.
PW was captured by the CCF 38th Army at HAINAN Island (海南島) on 25 Jul 50. He and 5,000 other CNA troops captured by CCF at HAINAN Island were sent via rail to KAIYUAN SHI (開原市), arriving there 1 Aug 50. PW and 5,000 other former CNA troops were assigned to the CCF 38th Army at KAIYUAN during Aug 50.
The 38th Army entered Korea 27 Oct 50 and marched south until it reached HUICHON (BV 6849) o/a 3 Nov 50. The 38th Army marched to KUJANG where they engaged a UN Unit for one hour, o/a 7 Nov 50. The 38th Army marched to TOKCH’ON (BV 6904) where they engaged UN troops for two days, o/a 10 Nov 50. The 38th Army arrived in the mountains near KUJANG (BV 4517) o/a 16 Nov 50.
The 38th Army engaged UN troops near KUNU RI (YD 4898) o/a 12 Dec 50.
The 38th Army marched southward through mountainous area and arrived on a mountain 3 Km East of YONCH’ON (CT 3117) o/a 22 Dec 50. The 38th Army prepared for an offensive during the period 22 Dec 50 to 30 Dec 50.
PW deserted his unit and surrendered to the ROK 6th Division 5 Km SE of YONCH’ON on 310800 Dec 50.
4th Field Army was composed of the 38th, 39th, 40th, 41st, 42nd, 43rd Armies and three other Armies.
The 38th Army was composed of the 112th, 113th, and 114th Divisions and a Medical Unit.
The 113th Division was composed of the 337th, 338th, and 339th Regts, 1 Mt Gun Battalion, and 1 Guard Battalion.
The 339th Regiment was composed of 3 Rifle Bns, 1 82mm Mortar Co and 1 Guard Co.
Each Rifle bn was composed of 3 Rifle Cos and 1 Heavy Weapons Co.
| Rifle Co, Rifle Bn, 339th Regt | Original | Present (as of 30 Dec 50) |
| Personnel | 150 | 110 |
| Equipment and Ammo | ||
| 60 mm Mortars | 3 | 3 (20 rds per) |
| LMGs (US and English make) | 6 (800 rds per) | |
| M-1 Rifles | 15 (100 rds per) | |
| Model 38 Rifles | 10 (100 rds per) | |
| US SMGs (45 cal) | 18 (200 rds per) | |
| Hand Grenades | 4 per man | |
| Heavy Weapons Co, Rifle Bn 339th Regt | ||
| Personnel | 120 | |
| Equipment and Ammo | ||
| HMGs | 5 (2500 rds per) | |
| 82 mm Mortars | 2 (60 rds per) | |
| “Bazooka” (large) | 1 (5 rds per) | |
| “Bazooka” (small) | 1 (10 rds) | |
| Hand Grenades | 4 per man | |
| 3rd Bn, 339th Regt | ||
| Personnel (total) | 600 | 450 |
| 82 mm Mortar Co, 339th Regt | ||
| Personnel | 60 | |
| Equipment and Ammo | ||
| 82 mm Mortars | 4 (30 rds per) | |
| 339th Regiment | ||
| Personnel | 2,500 | 1,800 |
| Mountain Gun Bn, 113th Division | ||
| Personnel | 200 | |
| Equipment and Ammo | ||
| Mt Guns (Jap make) | 4 | |
| Horses | 100 | |
| 113th Division | ||
| Personnel (total) | 8,000 | 7,000 |
Losses were caused chiefly by UN air strikes and artillery.
30 Dec 50, the entire 38th Army was located on a mountain located 3 Km East of YONCH’ON (CT 3117). The 38th Army arrived here o/a 22 Dec 50 and was preparing for offensive action.
302200 Dec 50, the PW was told the following by his ass’t company commander: “As of 30 Dec 50, the 38th Army is prepared for the offensive that will commence during the night of 31 Dec 50”.
The 42nd, 38th, and 40th Armies will attack. The three armies will be lined up in depth (one behind the other). The 42nd Army will be the leading element and the 38th and 40th Armies will follow in that order.
The three divisions of the 38th Army will be abreast. The 112th Division will be on the East flank, the 113th Division will be in the center, and the 114th Division will be on the west flank.
The Regiments of the Divisions of the 38th Army will be in depth.
PW was not told where they planned to attack.
The 38th Army has not received any replacements since entering Korea.
Food was obtained locally. Usually only unhulled rice and corn was available.
Seven days ration was prepared by the 38th Army for the offensive which was to start on 31 Dec 50.
Morale of the troops with the 38th Division was generally low because over half of the troops were former Nationalist soldiers. Lack of food and the high casualty rate caused by UN Air strikes and artillery were also causing low morale.
PW observed 2 Field telephones and 1 Wireless Transceiver with the 3rd Bn, 339th Regiment.
For the AC of S, G-2:
HONG
