ATIS-ALLIED TRANSLATOR & INTERPRETER SECTION-FEC
ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3100 1 February 1951
FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS LISD - 0219) 20 January 1951
| NAME: | KIM Chong Bong (金宗鳳) |
| AGE: | 20 |
| RANK: | Sgt |
| DUTY: | Ass’t Sqd Ldr |
| UNIT: | 1st NKA Div, 2nd Regt, 1st Bn, 14.5mm AT Rifle Plat |
| DATE CAPTURED, PLACE: | Captured 172100 Jan 51 vic concrete bridge approximately 4 km N of YOJU (CS7938) |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School 4 yrs |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
PW was one of two NKA soldiers captured in the vic 4 km N of YOJU. Although both had travelled together over a lengthy period of time, his information and that of the other differed in many respects. He was cooperative and of average intelligence but his information was rather vague. He is not recommended for further interrogation.
a. Chronology:
Inducted into the army 15 Jul 50, at WONSAN, PW was assigned to the HUNGNAM 249th Marine Brigade. 5th Bn and received training until 15 Oct 50 at which time the Bn retreated to CHANGJIN over mountain trails. He heard that the rest of the 249th Marine Brigade of 3,600 men was routed at WONSAN.
24 Dec 50, the 1st Div departed HAMHUNG with 2nd Regt Arty as forward elements and arrived at MUNCH’ON 26 Dec 50. Here, his Plat Ldr told the men that they were to try their best to enter SEOUL by 4 Jan 51.
Taken ill, PW remained at MUNCH’ON for 6 days until he recovered. While ill he heard from the villagers that countless CCF and NKA troops had passed through the area.
2 Jan 51, he departed WONSAN and arrived at HWACHON (CT8707) on 111700 Jan 51 via TOGWON (CU5937), SHINGOSAN (CU6103), SEPO (CT5777), and KUMHWA. Enroute he heard from villagers that countless CCF and NKA troops had passed the area. He also heard that all the troops were armed with rifles and that no heavy weapons or armor were observed.
At HWACHON PW met another NKA soldier from the1st Div, 2nd Regt, 3rd Bn. They both departed HWACHON 120600 Jan 51, and arrived at SEOUL on 140700 Jan 51 via CHUNCHON (CS8893) and KAPYONG where they met 7 guerrillas of an unknown unit.
At SEOUL PW entered the capitol building, at the entrance he observed the following words Garrison Hq (街連司令部). While his companion went into the Hq he asked the entrance guard where his 1st Div was, at which time he was told that this was the I NKA Corps Hq and that the 1st Div had never entered SEOUL. He was also told to head for WONJU because his unit was believed to be there. He claims that he did not see any CCF troops in SEOUL.
140900 Jan 51, they left SEOUL and arrived at a point roughly 12 km SE of SEOUL where they slept for the night.
151900 Jan they arrived 8 km SE of NAMHAN-SANSONG (CS 397488) where subject observed a CCF unit of regimental size. He himself personally observed about 60 CCF troops in 4 houses. When he requested lodging for the night he was promptly told by a Korean interpreter with the CCF to go a little ways down the road and seek lodging there because this was a Regimental CP. No heavy weapons were observed.
161900 Jan 51, they arrived at an unknown village, roughly 20 km SE from the CCF Regimental CP at NAMHAN-SANSONG area, occupied by approximately 2 battalions of CCF troops. While leaving the village he observed a long column of CCF troops believed to be of regimental size, marching 200 meters east of the village for rest, which he learned from a Korean interpreter with the unit, was called PAEK KOGEL (?).
172100 Jan 51, PW was captured together with his companies at (CS7228) by the 21st RCT while seeking their unit.
b. Unit Organization:
1st Div consisted of the 2nd, 3rd, and 14th Regts. Each Regt composed of 3 battalions. Each Bn composed of 3 Rifle Cos, HMG Co, an AT Gun Plat, a Medical Plat, Signal Plat, and a Supply Plat.
Strength of the 1st Div was 7,000 men, 800 men in 1st Bn, 2nd Regt, 120 men in PW’s Co. (Ed Note: PW claims in Personal Details to be AT Rifle Plat.)
c. Weapons:
PW’s company had 12 LMGs: PPSH SMGs and Russian rifles. The HMG Company had 9 Russian HMGs, PPSH SMGs and Russian rifles. The AT Rifle Plat of 23 men had 9 Russian 14.5 AT Rifles and 13 rifles. It had about 50 rounds per AT Rifle.
d. Food:
Food was confiscated from local villages.
e. Mission of PW’s Unit:
Since PW was away from his unit for a lengthy period he does not know what the mission of the 1st Div is.
f. Leaflets:
PW read UN leaflets at HWACHON. He gave it a thought but like others who read it was doubtful whether it was true or not because their officers had told them that they would be killed if captured. The leaflet stated that good treatment will be accorded those who surrendered.
For the AC of S, G-2:
IIDA
