ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 3192 5 February 1951
FIELD REPORT NO (ADVATIS - 1322) 2 February 1951
| PW NAME: | CHO, T’ae Hyong (趙泰亨) (조태형) |
| RANK: | Pvt (戰士) |
| AGE: | 22 |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| UNIT: | NKA, People’s Brigade, West Unit, 2nd Sub Unit |
| EDUCATION: | 3 yrs Middle School |
| OCCUPATION: | Drug Store Operator |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 25 Jan 51 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | KOREA, CHOLLA PUKTO, KOCH’ANG-GUN, KOCH’ANG-MYON, CHUKNIM-RI, #57 (全羅北道 高敞郡 高敞面 竹林里 五七) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | KOREA, CH’UNGCH’ONG NAMDO, CH’ONAN-GUN, CH’ONAN-UP, TAEHUNG-DONG, 2 KA, #132 (忠淸南道 ■■郡 ■■邑 大興洞 二街132) |
| INTERROGATOR: | Cpl HAMASU (ATIS) |
Not very cooperative, fairly intelligent. Reliability - Fair.
a. Chronology:
2 Sep 50: Inducted into the “Volunteer Corps,” 2nd Co, 2nd Plat at KOCH’ANG (高敞) and with 400 others, received 15 days training.
19 Sep 50: 400 men were divided into groups of 40 and advanced southward to CHANGSONG (長城). Joined with the Recon Plat of NAMHAE (南海) Brigade at CHONGSONG (長城), and together retreated to the mountains, north YONGWOL (寧越), by way of CHANGSU (長水), YONGDONG (永同) and MUNGYONG (聞慶).
15 Oct 50: The group was attacked by UN fighter planes while marching through the mountains. Leader YU, Kil Suk was killed and 7 others were wounded.
26 Oct 50: The remaining men retreated (objective - KUMGANGSAN (金剛山).
6 Nov 50: After passing through YANGGU (楊口), the group arrived HUP’YONG-NI (笩枰里) where they regrouped with approx 2,000 others.
13 Nov 50: On the way to CH’ORWON (鐵原) for clothing supply, PW and 800 others were met with vicious US air attack. Only approx 100 escaped injury and hid in the mountains; remainder believed casualties.
14 Nov 50: The 100 returned to HUP’YONG, and regrouped with the 1,200 men, who had remained there and designated themselves as Guerrilla Unit of the West.
15 Nov 50: The Guerrilla Unit moved south from HUP’YONG, picking up stragglers on the way.
2 Jan 51: In the mountains of KYONGSANG PUKTO, the Guerrilla Unit (strength 1,500) was redesignated the People’s Brigade, West Unit.
24 Jan 51: 16 Km north of ANDONG (安東), PW and 10 others were left behind due to frost bitten feet; unit is believed to have continued advance.
25 Jan 51: PW and 11 others were captured by a ROK unit.
b. Unit Organization & Strength:
Present Strength: (T/O unknown)
Peoples Brigade:
1,400 men and consisted of West Unit (40 men), KWANGIL Unit (光一), KIM, Chae Yung or Branch Unit, Army Corps Unit, Regular Unit (王■), Propaganda Section.
West Unit:
40 men. Made up of two sub units (■分隊), 20 men each. There were 2 platoons in each sub unit.
KIM, Chae Yung Unit:
150 men and consisted of 2 sub units, each had about 75 men. Each sub unit composed of 3 platoons, numbering from 19 - 30 men to each platoon.
c. Equipment: (As of 24 Jan 51)
Personnel of Brigade Hq all carried either carbines or M-1 rifles (US).
West Unit - One LMG, 1 Arty piece, (size unk), Russian M-1938 carbines, and sub-machine guns.
KWANGIL Unit - One 60mm mortar. Same small arms as West unit. PW has no idea where the equipment came from.
d. Communications:
Phones were utilized only from unit Hq and higher Hq. 1 - ea Hq.
Sub units and below - Runners.
Brigade - Radio (One 2-way set).
e. Intentions:
People’s Brigade was to attack TAEGU and regroup there on or about 27 Jan 51.
f. Morale:
Morale of unit was low due to UN attacks and unbearable living condition. Never saw any propaganda leaflets.
g. Treatment of Wounded:
In each unit there were two medics who gave first aid to wounded men. Serious wounds could not be taken care of, and wounded were left to die. There was no system in caring for wounded. Convenient homes were used for aid stations.
h. Supply:
Each man carried 3 days rations, and 40 rounds.
i. UN Prisoners of War:
On or about 30 Dec 50, PW saw 8 US PWs at TANYANG (丹陽) walking north. They were closely guarded by 4 NK soldiers. Two were wounded and carried by their buddies.
j. Weapons most feared:
(1) Napalm bomb
(2) Strafing
(3) Arty
(4) Rifles & HMG’s
For the Commanding Officer:
ROBINSON
