ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3277 9 February 1951
FIELD REPORT (163-MISDI-0239) 30 January 1951
| PW NAME: | MA, Yong Hsiu (馬永秀) |
| PW NO: | 1st M-B-4485 |
| RANK: | Jr Lt |
| DUTY: | Plat Ldr |
| UNIT: | 10th Div, 29th Regt, 2nd Bn, 4th Co, 1st Plat |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | KUMBONG DONG |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 26 Jan 51 |
| INTERROGATED BY: | Sgt ANDO |
PW captured by the National Police who turned him over to the 7th Marines. PW wounded in the leg.
Not recommended for further interrogation.
a. Strength of Unit:
(1) Original Strength: (o/a 15 Dec 50 at time of reorganization at HWACHON, N.K.)
29th Regt - 2,700
(2) Present Strength: (26 Jan 51)
29th Regt - 2.200
b. Chronology: Oct 50
Remnants of 10th Div retreated north, picking up civilians and stragglers on their way. PW, then a farmer in UISONG, South KOREA, was conscripted.
O/a 15 Dec 50 - Remnants reached HWACHON to reorganize. Here PW first knew he was with the 29th Regt of the 10th Div. There were 1500 troops at first but later increased to 2700 when more stragglers were taken in and more civilians conscripted.
O/a 23 Dec 50 - 29th Regt moved south at the same time other Regt of 10th Div departed.
O/a 28 Dec 50 - 29th Regt engaged ROK forces at KAPYONG. ROK forces pushed back but 29th Regt suffered approx 500 casualties. Regt resumed advance mostly through mountains, planned to join with other Regt near ANDONG. 10th Div objective was to cut off MSR between ANDONG and TAEGU.
22 Jan 51 - 29th Regt joined 10th Div at HOAM DONG where it rested three days.
24 Jan 51 - 29th Regt departed HOAM DONG and arrived next day at KUMBONG DONG where three Bn separated. The next day 2nd Bn was attacked by UN force and retreat was ordered. While PW fled toward the hills he was wounded in the foot and taken prisoner. 10th Div CP was last observed at HOAM DONG, 24 Jan 51.
c. Personalities:
29th Regt CO, CH'OE U (崔우).
d. Weapons and Equipment: 29th Regt
6 Russian HMG.
2 or 3 x 82mm Mortars to a Plat (Sic).
Russian and US M-1 Rifles.
No vehicles, pack animals, or arty.
Only 50% of the troops were armed. The others just followed along with unit. 50% of troops armed with grenade.
e. Supply:
29th Regt had not received any supplies since leaving HWACHON, N KOREA, 23 Dec 50.
Food was obtained from villages but never enough. Troops usually ate twice daily.
Troops are poorly dressed and suffered from cold weather. Most troops supplement their clothes from clothes taken from the dead.
There were hardly any medical supplies. Some sulfadiazine was used on wounds. Strips of clothing were used as bandages. Critically wounded were left in village houses with no further treatment. If an officer is wounded he is carried along with the unit on a stretcher.
Ammo supply:
Mortars 2-3 rd to each mortar in 2nd Bn.
Russian Rifles, 15-40 rd.
US M-1 Rifles, 150 rd.
f. Morale:
Morale is very low mainly because of insufficient food and clothing; also lack of weapons to defend themselves. Many do not want to fight, yet they are afraid to surrender because they are always told of the cruel treatment they would receive in the hands of UN forces.
To boost the morale, troops are told daily that a strong CCF force would come to their aid at any time now.
g. Weapon Most Feared:
Arty feared by the troops more than air strikes. In air attacks, troops have time to conceal themselves on the sound of approaching arcft; however, troops are helpless in concentrated arty barrages.
For the AC of S, G-2:
UYEDA
