ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2918 18 January 1951
FIELD REPORT (2 - LDI - 0035) 20 November 1950
| PW NAME: | LEE, Chong Yong (20) |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| UNIT: | 702 B Unit, 7th Div, 1st Regt, 2nd Bn, 3rd Co, 1st Plat, 3rd Sqd |
| PLACE AND DATE OF CAPTURE: | BU7435 0800 hrs 19 Nov 1950 |
Evaluation: Cooperative in answering questions and info seems to be fairly reliable.
Not recommended for further interrogation.
27 Sep 50 2nd Bn of the NAMHAE Brigade, (approx 500 men) commanded by a Maj (name unk) started withdrawing from YOSU (127°45’-34°45’). This was the last unit to leave this location. Heard from Co CO that reason for withdrawing was that they received order from GHQ that all troops were to withdraw. Majority of the troops were armed with rifles and few with PPSH SMGs. All the heavy equipment was left behind.
27 Sep 50 the unit withdrew by truck (approx 10 trucks) and arrived at SUNCH’ON. 4 Nov 50 at this location, PW observed undetermined number of troops (unit unk) could not tell the strength because they were scattered in different houses.
1200 27 Sep 50 the 2nd Bn was split up in company groups and started leaving. (also the unk unit left) Heavy Weapons Co (approx 90 men) was last to leave SUNCH’ON. The trucks were all left there Unit went into SOBAEK Range headed north over mountain trails.
About the middle of Oct 50 the company was attacked by UN Troops and scattered near MUNGYONG. At this point PW and 3 men separated from his company and during their travel, they observed undetermined number of troops traveling north in large and small groups.
On or about 4 Nov 50, upon arriving near YANGYANG, they observed approx 100 troops headed north. At this location PW separated from the 3 men and arrived at INJE (128°10’-38°5’).
7 Nov 50 upon arriving at this location, he heard from civilian that 7th div was reorganizing, so PW volunteered into this unit. One of the reasons he joined was because of fear in case he got caught. After joining this unit, PW received 3 days of training. The unit was armed with unk number of PPSH SMGs, Russian Rifles, US Carbines, US M-1 Rifles and model 99 Jap. Rifles and also observed 2 LMGs, 3 or 4 HMGs and 5 or 6 submachine guns.
10 Nov 50 two Bns left INJE with an estimated strength of 500 men to each Bn. Also believed that this was all of the 7th Div because when they left there was nobody left.
1900 16 Nov 50 the unit arrived at HWACHANG (BU8547). The troops traveled by day in single file taking mountain trails from INJE, KUMHWA, ICHON, KOKSAN vicinity, SAMDUNG and to HWACHANG. The troops did not camouflage themselves in any way and they kept on going even though the planes flew over them. The unit was never attacked from the air enroute. Upon arriving at HWACHANG, he observed many unidentified troops. He could not determine the strength because they arrived at night.
1800 17 Nov 50 only the 2nd Bn (approx 500 men) left and by taking mountain trail, they arrived approx 16 KMs SW from HWACHANG (vicinity of TAEBONG-SAN BU7435). At this location, the 1st and 2nd Co were dispersed to unk location. 3rd Co (approx 40 men) was located on the low hill 4 KMs north of TAEBONG-SAN (BU7435). Heard from Co CO that their mission was to destroy trucks which passed below from their location.
0800 19 Nov 50 approx 3 US Tanks and 4 trucks loads of troops arrived at this location and started attacking 3rd Company position. The unit scattered and PW and one man came down and surrendered.
The troops were split up in groups of 10 and assigned to village houses for their meal. The troops were fed in this way every day, getting 2 to 3 meals a day.
Only about half of the troops were armed with rifles and few PPSH SMGs. Also had 3 HMGs. Rifleman had approx 20 rounds but did not know the amount for the HMGs.
The troops were never issued winter uniform.
For the AC of S, G-2:
OJI
