ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2934 19 January 1951
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 1268) 11 January 1951
| PW NAME: | KIM, Won Gil (金元吉) (김원길) |
| RANK: | Jr Sgt (下士) |
| AGE: | 27 |
| DUTY: | Cook |
| UNIT: | NKA 31st Div, 2nd Regt, 2nd Bn, 2nd Co, Supply Sqd |
| EDUCATION: | None |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | CH’UNCH’ON (春川) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 26 Dec 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | KOREA, CHOLLA PUKTO, WANJU-GUN, ISO-MYON, UNGYO-RI #135 (全羅北道 完州郡 二西面 銀橋里 135番地) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same as above |
| INTERROGATOR: | F E HAMILTON (FEAF) |
Intelligent, cooperative. Reliability - Good.
a. Chronology:
20 Sep 50: Conscripted into NKA at CHONJU (全州). Taken to CHONGJU (淸州).
15 Oct 50: 35th Brigade was organized. PW was in the 3rd Regt, 2nd Bn, HMG Co.
20 Nov 50: Brigade reached SINDAERI (新垈里) and defeated a SK Security Unit.
25 Nov 50: 48th Division and 35th Brigade combined to form 31st Division.
27 Nov 50: 31st Division went to HANAM-NI (下南里) in the mountains and remained over a month.
14 Dec 50: Unit started south to 38th Parallel.
26 Dec 50: Surrendered at CH’UNCH’ON (春川).
b. Unit History:
The 48th Div came from the mountains of SOUTH KOREA. The 35th Brigade was organized at CHONGJU (淸川) 15 Oct 50. It was composed of 100 N Korean veterans and 150 recruits from CHOLLA PUKTO (全羅北道). As soon as the 35th Brigade was organized men were recaptured and killed, leaving only 200 men in the brigade. For the month of Oct and first part of Nov the brigade hid in mountains, SOBACKSAN and TAEBACKSAN (小白山斗太白山) living off the country. They reached SINDAE-RI (新垈里) and fought with a South Korean Security Unit on the 20th Nov 50. They won the battle and when the 48th Div arrived the two units were combined to form 31st Div (20 Nov 50). The Code name of the 31st Div was “Palm Tree” (棕櫚).
c. Communications:
One telephone was in each Bn, other communication was by runner.
d. Disposition:
31st Div was on the top of a mountain near YAKSUKOL (若水洞), about 24 km north of CH’UNCH’ON (春川).
e. Intentions:
The division planned to go to SUNCH’ON (順天) and YOSU (麗水) after crossing the 38th Parallel.
f. Morale:
Discouraged, no will to fight.
g. Replacements:
All from N KOREA. Most were non-communist and wanted to escape. Wounded were sent to YAKSUKOL (若水洞). Almost no medicines.
h. Supply:
Each Co had 9 to 10 SMGs. Each SMG had only 1 clip of ammo. Each Co had one LMG with 2 clips of ammo each. Each Co had 1 HMG with 400 rds ammo each.
No mortars or artillery.
Each Co had 25 rifles, caliber unk; with 150 rds ammo each.
Winter uniforms were issued at SINDAE-RI (新垈里).
i. Weapons Feared Most:
Fragmentation bombs were the most feared weapon.
For the Commanding Officer:
SHAPPELL
