ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2915 18 January 1951
FIELD REPORT (2 - LDI - 0029) 16 November 1950
| PW NAME: | HWANG Sen In (28) |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| DUTY: | Ammo Bearer |
| UNIT: | CCF 4th Field Army, 42nd Corps, 125th Div, 374th Regt, 2nd Bn, 4th Co, 1st Plat, 1st Sqd |
| PLACE AND DATE OF CAPTURE: | TOKCHON 15 Nov 1950 |
Evaluation: PW was very cooperative and appears to be intelligent. Answered all questions asked in a satisfactory manner; however, information given was limited due to his unfamiliarity with the terrain and units disposition. Information given is considered reliable.
Recommended for further interrogation.
Apr 50 the 42nd Corps moved from CHILIN, MANCHURIA to TUNGHWA. PW has no knowledge of the other 2 Divs in the 42nd Corps.
The 125th Div composed of 373rd Regt, 374th Regt, 375th Regt, Arty Unit, Commo Unit and Staff Unit with the strength of approx 10,500 men per Div.
The Regt composed of 3 Bns with the strength of approx 2500 men per Regt.
Bn composed of 4 companies with the strength of approx 800 men per Bn.
Co composed of 4 platoons with the strength of approx 180 men per Co.
Platoon composed of 3 squads with the strength of approx 3■ men per platoon.
1st Bn consists of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and MG Co.
2nd Bn consists of 4th, 5th, 6th and MG Co.
3rd Bn consists of 7th, 8th, 9th and MG Co.
The following is the breakdown of weapons issued to the 374th Regt:
Squad - 1 SMG, 1 LMG, 1 Knee mortar, and 5 rifles.
Plat - 3 SMGs, 3 LMGs, 3 Knee mortars, and 15 rifles.
Co - 9 SMGs, 9 LMGs, 9 Knee mortars and 45 rifles, 3 x 60mm mortars
Bn - 27 SMGs, 27 LMGs, 27 Knee mortars and HMG Co has 6 x HMG and 3 x 82mm mortars.
Regt - 81 SMGs, 81 LMGs, 9 x 82mm mortars.
6 mountain guns (could be disassembled and carried by horses) is attached to the Div. Each company has 2 anti-tank mines, but does not know whether they used the anti-tank mines.
15 Oct 50 the 374th Regt was ordered as an advance unit to CHIAN, MANCHURIA to prepare for the 125th Div to cross the border into KOREA. 374th Regt traveled by train to JIAN, and arrived 19 Oct 50.
20 Oct 50 the 373rd and 375th Regts arrived in CHIAN by train. The same day the Div crossed on foot over the bridge into KOREA at MANP’OJIN. After crossing into KOREA, the Div moved south for 5 days. They traveled only at night due to air attacks. At this point, the 374th Regt traveled on foot for 7 more days and arrived in the vicinity of TOKCH’ON. The other 2 Regts took a different route. (destination unknown)
Arrived in the vicinity of TOKCH’ON 7 Nov 50, 374th Regt with the strength of 2500 men, established its Hq 2 KMs north of TOKCH’ON, along the west side of the road where 4 or 5 houses are located in a group.
374th Regimental Hq was last observed by PW 10 Nov 50.
1st Bn (approx strength of 800 men) was the reserve unit as well as being responsible for the security of the Regt’l Hqs.
2nd Bn (approx strength of 800 men) established defensive positions on their right flank along the high ridge of TOKCH’ON town.
3rd Bn established a defensive position on their left flank about 3 KMs south of the Regt’l Hqs. They were responsible for defending the highway leading into TOKCH’ON as well as the bridge located approx 1 KM south of TOKCH’ON. They engaged ROK Units from 9 Nov to 14 Nov 50.
12 Nov 50 about 1200 hrs, 2nd Bn was attacked by ROK Unit, but repulsed them. 14 Nov 50 PW deserted and surrendered to a ROK Unit.
The disposition of the 374th Regt and the defense line remained the same as of 14 Nov 50.
The mission of the 374th Regt was to defend TOKCH’ON area. Delayed action was employed until the arrival of sufficient reserves in order to advance. All troops of the 374th Regt were informed by the Regt’l CO 13 Nov 50.
Food:
The food supply is very low and at times the troops have to go without food for a day or two. All troops have 2 meals a day but the amount is not enough. Food is mostly obtained from villages. PW was informed by others that food situation became serious due to the UN Forces aircrafts harassing the supply line.
Ammo:
Ammo is also insufficient due to UN aircrafts harassing the supply line. Each rifleman was issued 60 rds. Mortar shells and Arty shells were very low at the 374th Regimental sector.
Clothing:
All troops of 125th Div were issued a set of winter clothing at TUNGHWA. PW observed some of the soldiers were ill due to inadequate winter clothing. There is no medical treatment.
The fighting spirit of the troops was very low due to insufficient food and inadequate winter clothing.
About 70% of the CCF Unit personnel were former Nationalist Army. Majority of the soldiers were in doubt of the treatment after they surrender. If the prisoners are not mistreated, many soldiers would like to surrender.
For the AC of S, G-2:
OJI
