ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3259 9 February 1951
FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS MISD - 0224) 24 January 1951
| NAME: | LEE Chi Yon (李致蓮) |
| AGE: | 19 |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| DUTY: | Sig Sq Member |
| UNIT: | Ⅱ Corps (NK), 10th Div, 29th Regt, 76mm Bn, Gun Btry, Svc Plat, Sig Sq |
| DATE CAPTURED, PLACE: | Vic KALPYONG NI (DR2471) 222100 Jan 51 |
| EDUCATION: | Primary (6 yr) |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
PW was cooperative during interrogation. Information obtained seems fairly reliable. PW is recommend for further interrogation because with a little more time he may recall information of further tactical value.
a. Unit Organization
The present strength of 10th NK Div is approx 9,000 men with the 25th, 27th and 29th Regt of 3,000 men each.
Each Regt composed of 3 Rifle Bn and a 76mm Arty Bn. At present the Arty Bn is in name only, for all the weapons were lost during the retreat from the NAKTONG River Front.
76mm Arty Bn composed of 3 Btry and a Plat (45mm AT Btry, 76mm Gun Btry, 120mm Mortar Btry and an AAA Plat) all in name only.
76mm Gun Btry had 70 men, formed into the 1st, 2nd and Service Plat. The Service Plat is composed of a Sig Sqd (7 men), and an I & R Sqd (5 men).
According to the PW, 29th Regt Code number is 751, and it was also known as the TOLCHIN GANG.
b. Chronology
PW joined the NKA 19 Apr 50 at HUNGNAN, and 21 Apr 50, was assigned to the NKA 10th Div. In Jul 50, Div participated in the NAKTONG River Battle. O/a Nov 50, after suffering heavy casualties, Div withdrew above the 38th parallel. 10th Div was integrated into the NKA Ⅱ Corps, along with 2nd and 6th NKA Div.
Nov 50, 10th Div operated against ROK troops of KUMHWA. Dec 50, 10th Div started S from vic KUMHWA, passing through INJE MYON and arriving at TANYANG (DR3988), YANGWHA DONG, o/a 15 Jan 51. Here 6th Div had passed through, ahead of their 10th Div, and 2nd Div was coming up behind PW unit.
During their journey from INJE MYON to TANYANG, they had no contact with CCF or UN troops.
O/a 15 Jan 51, PW was separated from his unit, since he was suffering from frostbit, and was hospitalized at 10th Div Field Hospital, which was located at YANGJU DONG (DR3179), 16km W of TANYANG. At this hospital, there were about 140 patients suffering from frostbite and wounds incurred through enemy action. O/a 18 Jan, after PW was hospitalized, the hospital was attacked by ROK units and was scattered. PW and 50 others escaped and arrived vic of KALPYONG NI on 222100 Jan 51. Here they were fired on by the KALPYONG NI (DR2471) Police unit. As a result, PW and 6 others were captured. The others scattered into the surrounding hills. PW did not know the exact location of 10th Div or its Regt, however, he believed that by this date, the unit was beyond ANDONG (DR7646). He was told by his Co CO, who in turn was informed by the Bn CO the Ⅱ Corps Hq was to the rear of 10th Div.
c. Other Units
PW heard 2nd Div was ahead of 10th Div and 6th Div was to the rear. He also heard of a NKA V Corps at KUMHWA (NK).
d. Weapons
Regt have an 81mm Mortar (Russian) Co of 8 mort, two to a Bn. Each mortar is supplied with approx 8 rd, and when the ammo was expended the mort were still carried. The troops are equipped with PPsh SMG with two loaded drums. Russian rifles with 100 rd. Russian LMG.
PW Gun Btry had: two LMG (Russian) with 6 drums of ammo. (38 rd drums.)
40 PPsh SMG - 2 drums ea man
30 Russian rifles - 100 rd ea man
2 to 3 grenades ea man.
Antiaircraft Plat: one HMG (US) 6 disks ammo.
30 to 40 PPsh SMG with 2 drums
120mm Mortar Co: two LMG (Russian) with 6 disks ammo.
over half armed with PPsh SMG
e. Mission
PW was told by his Co CO the mission of the NKA Ⅱ Corps and its Div was to destroy roads, bridges and to disrupt enemy transportation. It was to advance toward TAEGU and PUSAN. When the Corps accomplished its mission the CCF forces on the east in conjunction with those on the west coast were to make a sweeping envelopment drive, down the east coast. He heard from his Co CO the CCF drive down the west coast was to precede the drive from the east coast. He also heard towards the end of Dec, CCF forces, formerly located in the HUNGNAM sector, were moving south in the vic of WONSAN. He further heard, the mission of the NKA V Corps was similar to that of the Ⅱ Corps.
f. Personalities
29th Regt CO: Lt Col CH’OE U (崔禹)
Political Officer & Asst Regt CO: Lt Col LEE U Pae (李宇輩)
Artillery Bn CO: Maj KIM Chong Kun (金宗根)
76mm Btry CO: Capt HWANG Song Ho, WIA
g. Propaganda
PW and others were told, KOREA would be liberated by 8 Feb 51. He also said, this was the anniversary of the founding of the NKA and there would be a parade at SEOUL to celebrate this occasion.
h. Morale
The morale of the troops is high, and they believe in what they are told by their superiors. A large percentage of the men are suffering from frostbite.
i. AT Mines
AT mines used are in square boxes; 30cm long and 10cm high, of wood (Russian) and is buried slightly below the level of the road. The slightest pressure will detonate the mine. They are to be used on the main roads in the area between TAEGU and PUSAN. These mines are to be buried in places accessible from mountain trails. PW saw about 8 of these mines at his Regt.
For the AC of S, G-2:
IIDA
