ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3123 2 February 1951
FIELD REPORT (521-MISD-0364) 19 January 1951
| NAME: | LEE, Chung-hak (ROKA) |
| UNIT: | 8th South Korean Security Div, 19th Co |
| HOME STATION: | CHANGNIM-NI (DR 4285) |
| CIRCUMSTANCE OF CAPTURE: | |
| 40 unarmed members of this Co were ordered by their CO to report to PUKHARI (DR 4186) for rest. O/a 070500 Jan, a band of 2,000 guerrillas raided this village and captured 10 security troops while 30 fled. | |
| CIRCUMSTANCE OF RELEASE: | |
| O/a 092000 Jan, while being confined at MIRO RI (DR 4480) with 10 US PsW and 98 South Korean Security troops and Civil Police personnel, 60 Security troops and 2 US PsW were informed that prisoners would be released; it happened around midnight of 9 Jan 51. However, when this actually happened, each released prisoner received. 72 liters of rice and 500 won in old South Korean currency. | |
| INTERROGATOR: | Cpl OZAKI |
Source appeared to be very sincere and has cooperated in every possible way. Reliability, fair.
When source was captured at PUKHA RI (DR 4186) on 070500 Jan 51 by a partisan band of 2,000, there were already 10 US PsW. Later, it was learned through other PsW that a group of 8 was captured at TANG-YANG (DR 3987) 6 Jan 51 and the other 2 were taken around 24 Dec 50 in vic CHANGNIM NI (DR 4285). One of the 8 US PsW wore a fatigue cap with a gold bar indicating that he was the only US officer among the 10. Their uniforms, boots and personal items, including individual dog-tags, had been removed and replaced with worn-out NK uniforms, straw sandals, and allowed one US blanket each.
At this time, a band of guerrillas moved southeast after capturing prisoners at PUKHA RI (DR 4186), and a Co size HQs was established at SONGGUM NI (DR 4380) where all PsW were interrogated. US PsW were interrogated for approx 5 hrs each, South Koreans in groups of 3. There were 6 interrogators and 6 stenographers. Interrogators were officers and spoke fluent English. During interrogation, no maps were used and no sketches drawn; no atrocity committed; conversed in polite manner, however, PsW’s hands were tied behind their backs at all times. According to a civilian who has little knowledge of English and who lives at MIRO RI (DR 4480), where temporary PW stockade was established, some US PsW revealed their respective unit locations (?). (The PW stockade consisted of 11 houses which accommodated a total of 108 PsW.) Although PsW were held with their hands tied and not allowed to leave the room except for relieving bowels, sentries were posted at all dwellings. In general, guerrillas treated South Korean Security troops better than the US PsW, i.e. more rations in their two daily meals and used polite language. During the night of 7 Jan, 5 South Koreans managed to escape. It was later learned through villagers that all 5 fled safely. While PsW were imprisoned at MIRO RI (DR 4480), between 071500 to 092400 Jan 51, this village was not hit by US planes, Arty fire, nor harassed by UN forces.
The following day (10 Jan), after source and 59 ROK security troops and ROK troops were released, source again learned through civilians from MIRO-RI (DR 4480) that remaining PsW, including US PsW, were moving towards MUNGYON (South of CHUNGJU and SW from TANGYANG) along with the entire band of guerrillas o/a 100500 Jan 51. The 2 US PsW, who were anticipated being released with the 60 South Koreans, received money, rice and special instructions as to how to return to PUSAN. Source strongly believes that they have safely started their journey because so much preparation has been made for their release.
At first contact with these guerrillas, source noticed that they descended to PUKHA RI (DR 4186) from TANGYANG (DR 3987) area. Upon taking UN captives at 070600 Jan 51, the band proceeded south-eastward along valley and small stream and arrived at SONGGUM NI (DR 4380) around 071200 Jan 51. After hours of questioning, source was taken to MIRO RI (DR 4480) and arrived at 1500 hrs the same afternoon. The band, however, was strung along the valley between PUKHA RI and MIRO RI in Co size groups, having one Co HQs at SONGGUM NI and HQ on CHUNGOL SAN (DR 4375). Communication lines were established between HQ and its subordinate HQs. Information in regards to guerrilla activities was unknown, due to limited observation during confinement. A villager who prepared food for the guerrillas overheard the guerrillas say that their next destination would be MUNGYON (S of CHUNGJU and SW from TANYANG). The entire force moved out in that general direction at 100500 Jan 51.
Although the guerrillas themselves claimed their strength to be 3,000, source estimated them to 2,000. Co HQs personnel of SONGGUM NI (DR 4380) approx 80 men, with 200 estimated to be in this Co. In general, officers wore US Army OD uniforms with US Army fatigue caps, bloused their pants and wore Army combat boots. EM generally wore US Army fatigues with combat boots or service boots, tucking their trousers as officers. Three lines of red strings sewn on officers’ cap band distinguished officers from EM. During movement, the band marched in a disorderly manner unlike the disciplined NK Army troops. Therefore source definitely believes them to be guerrillas. In this area, guerrillas occupied village houses for quarters and offices.
Within the group, there was a group of 30 nurses. They wore US Army OD uniforms and each carried a US carbine.
The original intention was to interrupt the US MSR between TANGYANG (DR 3987) and PUNGGI (DR 5780), until main force (unit designation unknown) arrives. This force did not arrive as of 092400 Jan 51. It appeared from guerrilla talks that their mission was not accomplished because of powerful UN attacks by air and arty. The sudden change in plans of shifting this force towards MUNGYONG area was unknown.
45mm mortars: 2
HMGs: 1
US M-1 rifles: 60%
US carbines: 20%
M1891/30 Russ rifles: 20%
Hand grenades: 2 per man
(a) Food:
Since guerrillas pillaged villages, stealing chickens and cows, their supply was adequate.
(b) Ammo:
Ammunition supply seemed to be very short. Every ten men carried long, tin cases which holds approx 1,030 cartridges for Russ-type rifles. Resupply not observed.
(c) Medical:
Source observed nurses carrying packs, however, other medical equipment has not been noticed. Since none of guerrillas were injured, extent of medical facilities could not be judged, however, it was presumed to be limited to battle dressings only.
For the AC of S, G-2:
SINGLETON
