포로신문
보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3050　29 January 1951

FIELD REPORT (164 MISDI - 1383)　19 January 1951

PW was cooperative and seemed very intelligent. He did not hesitate in providing information. Information seems reliable.

II Corps (Code Name: KUNGAM SAN): 2nd, 6th, 9th, 10th, 27th and the 31st Infantry Divs; Field Hospital, Unknown Reserve Infantry Regt, Guard Co and Recon Co.

The reserve regiment was under the direct command of the Corps commander. It was to be used to reinforce any weak areas or units in the II Corps sector.

9th Division: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Inf Regt’s, Engr Bn, Art Bn and Signal Bn; Recon Co, Medical unit and Guard Plat.

Each Inf Regt: 3 Rifle Bns, Signal Co, Recon Plat and Guard Plat.

Each Rifle Bn: 3 Rifle Co’s.

Each Rifle Co: 4 Rifle Plats.

Each Rifle Plat: 3 or 4 Rifle Sqds

9th Div strength has approx 5,000 troops (Jan 51).

10 x 82mm Mortars with an unknown amount of ammo were observed in the artillery battalion.

There is an estimated 30 HMGs, 20 LMGs and 10 AT Rifles with a limited amount of ammo in the division.

Each rifleman carried 100 rounds.

Since they were to be engaged in guerrilla warfare, no heavy weapons or excess ammunition were carried by the division. Ammunition was to be procured on the battlefields. No ammo was believed to be supplied to the division.

The Engineer Battalion (strength, unknown) was equipped with an unknown amount of explosive (blocks) and AT mines.

Above medicine were the only ones seen by PW. There was a dire shortage of medical supplies. The only source of resupplying was by picking up those abandoned by other units.

The signal Bn (approx 150 men) consisted of limited amount of telephone lines, telephones and one radio set.

Ⅱ Corps and the 9th Division Hqs were located in OKTONG, approx 8 km South of YONGWOL; although the Hqs was there until PW was captured, 14 Jan 51. It had probably moved to another location, most likely, southward.

Ⅱ Corps Hqs, ever since 7 or 8 Jan 51, has moved together with the 9th Div Hqs from ANHUNG (DS4061) and was to be together until the objectives were reached.

The Ⅱ Corps’ objective and mission was to infiltrate through the eastern sector of the UN lines with least possible contact with UN units and to sever the supply lines and communications of the UN troops in the sector east of TAEJON.

PW believes that the objective might not be reached because of the lack of arms and equipment.

9th Division’s objective was the area around ANDONG (DR7547).

9th Division, while moving southward in the YONGWOL area, contacted the ROK 7th Division on 13 Jan 51 which resulted in an engagement of several hours. PW heard that the ROK 7th Div retreated toward the east and the 9th Division proceeded south again.

After the 9th Div began moving south, PW and 2 enlisted men of the stretcher platoon, mistaking their direction, thinking they were following their unit toward the east. At approx 4 km E of YONGWOL, PW and the 2 men were fired upon by a ROK patrol. PW hid in a ditch and was captured while the 2 EM ran away.

PW volunteered 21 Jul 47 at SINUIJU into the service of a Prison Constabulary Unit.

Transferred to a Constabulary Brigade in CHINNAMP’O in Sep 47.

Received 5 months military training in this unit.

The entire brigade departed Sep 49 by train for the Manchurian-Korean border for guard duty.

PW with the 2nd Battalion was assigned to the MUSAN area.

1st Battalion was assigned to the NAMYANG area.

3rd Battalion was assigned to the MANPOJIN area.

Transferred to an auto unit of the 3rd Guard Brigade, which was located in SARIWON.

The 3rd Brigade departed SARIWON for PYOKSONG GUN (碧城郡) in May 49.

PW was assigned duties in a medical unit in May 49.

The 3rd Brigade departed PYOKSONG GUN o/a 4 Jul 50 and arrived at SEOUL, o/a 10 Jul 50.

Performed guard duties in SEOUL.

14 Jul 50, the 3rd Brigade was redesignated to the NKA 9th Infantry Division.

Approx 3,000 recruits were received then and assigned to the 9th Division and were given 1 month training.

9th Div departed SEOUL 10 Aug 50 and arrived NW of MIRYANG, 10 Sep 50.

9th Div retreated intact to TAEJON 30 Sep 50.

After learning of the trap set for them, the 9th Div retreated in disorganized order north, mostly over the SOBAEK and TAEBAEK Mountain Ranges.

Nov 50 approx 5 to 6,000 original troops of the 9th Div gathered in HYOPCH’ON with its Div CG. 3 of the original regiment commanders were not seen. With these 5 to 6,000 original troops the 9th Div was kept intact.

Div, up until the time they proceeded southward, waged guerrilla warfare in the HYOPCH’ON area down to the 38th parallel.

During November 50, approx one third of the troops lacked weapons, but acquired them after a number of attacks on ROK units.

Ⅱ Corps with its present units (Divisions) were also located in this area after retreating from the NAKTONG River. The Corps Hq was in KARYOJU (Phonetic), approx 40 km N of HUPYON-NI. The Corps Hq was located there from the time it arrived until the time the southward movement was made.

The entire Ⅱ Corps departed the HUPYON area o/a 20 Dec 50. The 9th Div marched through the mountains and arrived at YANGGU, o/a 28 Dec 50. It departed the same day and crossed the 38th Parallel at 010400 1 Jan 51 at an unknown point.

The division proceeded south over mountain trails and secondary roads, traveling during the night only.

At ANHUNG, o/a 7 Jan 51, the 9th Div and the Ⅱ Corps met and began proceeding southward together through PYONGCH’ANG (DS4736) until YONGWOL, arriving at YONGWOL on 13 Jan 51.

In the YONGWOL area, the 9th Div engaged the ROK 7th Division and forced it to retreat.

When last seen (14 Jan 51), the Ⅱ Corps and the 9th Division were proceeding south together.

CHOE, Hyon (崔賢), Maj Gen, CG, Ⅱ Corps

CHOE, Hyon assumed command of the Ⅱ Corps in Nov 50. His previous command not known.

He is believed to have spent some time with the CCF in CHINA and had arrived from RUSSIA, presumably MOSCOW in 1945 where he had received military education.

PAK, Hyo Sam (朴孝三), Maj Gen, CG, 9th Division

PAK became the Div CG when the 9th Division was activated in SEOUL. His previous command was not known.

He is believed to have spent some time with the CCF in CHINA.

Food was procured locally in sufficient amounts. No transportation of food supplies from the rear was planned for the entire Ⅱ Corps. Up until the time PW was captured, there was no shortage of food.

No ammo was planned to arrive at the Ⅱ Corps from the rear. Ammo and weapons were to be acquired from captured material.

An average of 100 rounds of rifle ammo per person was carried.

Runners were employed by Company level units.

Battalions and above usually used telephones or wireless sets.

Although the troops morale was low, only a few was tried deserting or surrendering due to fear of being killed by the captures. Many, if they deserted had no place to go, so without any choice, are remaining in the units.

The constant serial attacks was very effective in lowering morale of the troops.

10. CLOTHES:

The entire 9th Div was not issued winter clothing and up to the time PW was captured, many were still wearing their summer uniforms with whatever civilian clothing they had acquired after crossing the 38th Parallel.

It was believed that the entire Ⅱ Corps in still wearing their summer uniforms.

PW overheard few officers of the cultural section say that an unknown number of Korean recruits who had been trained in an unknown place in MANCHURIA arrived in KOREA during Dec 50.

a. What were your duties? What training did you receive to prepare you for such duties? Where was the training given? Length of serial Number so trained?

a. PW was a platoon leader of a stretcher platoon. No special training received.

b. What immunizations did you receive? Against what disease? What immunizing agent was used? When did you receive each immunization?

a. In November, the entire 9th Division was given shots against communicable diseases. Exact type was unknown.

c. What medical and surgical equipment was used by your army? Describe the system for replenishment of medical supplies. How will did the system work? Where medical supplies adequate in quantity and quality? Where were they manufactured?

a. Abandoned supplies were picked up by PW’s unit.

d. What hospitals were operated by your army in peacetime? Where were they located? What was the capacity of each? What types of patients were received in each (Medical, Surgical, Mental, Infectious Disease, other)?

a. A hospital was located in each division which had the capacity of 500 patients.

e. What types of hospitals are operated by your army (Fixed, mobile, station, evacuation, general, specialized, other)? What civilian hospitals were taken over for military use?

a. Negative.

f. What diseases have the highest frequency in your army?

a. Skin disease.

g. What sources are used for drinking water? What measures are used for purification? Are water sources ■…■ or posioned by your army when you are forced to retreat? What against are used for such purposes?

a. Well water was used frequently. A medical unit was dispatched to check on the qualities of the drinking water. No water purification known.

h. Where are medical research or protection laboratories located? What do they produce? What are their names? Who operates them? How many people are employed in each? Who are the key personnel? What research is contacted?

a. Negative.

PW has handled approximately 6 or 7 ■…■, since arriving in the HUPKAN area. It was believed that the wounded were left in farm houses. No other evacuation was possible due to PW’s unit being engaged in guerrilla warfare.

a. Did you surrender voluntarily? If so, why?

a. PW was captured.

b. Did you see any United Nations Leaflets, or hear any loud speaker broadcasts?

a. Yes, in September in the KAEENG River area.

c. Can you describe what they said?

a. It ■…■: If you surrender, we will give you adequate food and medical treatment.

d. What was your reaction to them?

a. PW was suspicious as to the ■…■ of it.

e. Did you hear other soldiers discuss leaflets or broadcasts? What did they say or do?

a. Negative.

For the AC of S, G-2: