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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3340　13 February 1951

FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS MID - 0229)　27 January 1951

All five of the prisoners were very cooperative and eagerly answered questions. Being Pvt, they were not well informed, however, information given considered fairly reliable.

The 50th CCF Army consisted of the 148th, 149th and 150th Div. The 448th, 449th and 450th Inf Regt composed the 150th Div. The 50th Army was code named the “LIANGSAN BU” (LIANG Mt Unit). The 150th Div had the code name the “3rd Bn” and the 450th Regt had the code name the “3rd Co”. 450th Regt had 3 Bn. The 7th, 8th and 9th Rifle Co, plus a HMG Co, composed the 3rd Bn. Other Bn of the 450th Regt were believed to be similarly organized. As of 26 Jan 51, the 7th Co had a strength of 90 men. Normal TO/E strength was 110, however, there were an estimated 20 casualties since the Co entered KOREA, in Nov 50 (exact date unk). Normal TO/E strength for the 8th and 9th Co was 100 men each. As of 26 Jan 51, the 8th Co was believed to have 80 men and the 9th Co; 70 men. Last known strength of the 450th Regt was approx 1000 men, normal was 1200.

As of 261430 Jan 51, PW 1st Plat was deployed at the foot of Hill 256 (CS467219) in the vic of (CS469219). The 7th Co CP with the 2nd and 3rd Plat were located halfway up the hill in the vic of (CS468220). 3rd Bn CP as well as the 8th and 9th Co CP were believed located on the NW foot of the hill, approx 800m NW of the 7th Co CP. The 1st and 2nd Bn of the 450th Regt were believed deployed on either flank of the 3rd Bn. Exact locations and positions in relation to the 3rd Bn was unknown.

The 450th Regt CP was located in the vic of (CS468247) as of 19 Jan 51.

PW 3rd Bn arrived at Hill 255 (CS467217) o/a 19 Jan 51. Upon arriving, PW 1st Plat was dug in and deployed at the foot of Hill 256 in the vic at (CS469219). On 241100 and 250800 Jan 51, the plat was engaged with the enemy in fire fights lasting 5-6 hr each time. The enemy poured artillery, mortar and small arms fire into the plat area but casualties were light. On 251300 Jan, the plat leader was found dead but positions remained unchanged. On 260800 Jan 51 a third firefight commenced. From 1000 hr to 1300 hr on 26 Jan 51 the 3rd Bn area on Hill 256 was subjected to a concentrated artillery attack, which was believed to have caused heavy casualties. After the shelling lifted, the 5 PW descended from their positions and surrendered to the 1st Bn, 8th Cavalry Regt on 261430 Jan 51. The 150th Div Hq was located approx 16 km. NW of YANGJI RI as of 18 Jan 51. Exact location was unknown.

PW Co CO stated that the 448th and 449th Regt were mostly composed of men with combat experience, and since the 448th and 449th Regt had borne the brunt of combat with the enemy since entering KOREA, he stated that these two Regt were at present, resting and recuperating in the vic of SEOUL, and being resupplied with man and material. The 450th Regt was dispatched to the front lines at YANGJI RI, while the other two Regt were again being readied for combat. After this was accomplished, they would replace the 450th Regt in the front lines. (It was unknown when this was to take place). Their Co CO further stated that the 38th and 39th Armies were also resting and being resupplied with men and material in the SEOUL area.

O/a 15 Dec 50, while one nights march past P’YONGYANG, they came across approx 1400-1500 troops of an unknown regiment of the 41st Army. The Regt headed east while PW marched south.

According to PW, troops of the 41st Army wore the old type CCF uniforms, which differed from those worn by the PW. From the uniforms the PW concluded that the 41st Army was here, in KOREA, much earlier that the others. In this connection the troops of the 50th Army wore uniforms with two breast pockets. Those from the 38th and 39th Armies wore those with the buttons running right and off center from the collar down.

Around 19 Jan 51, PW Co CO related that the personnel of the 42nd Army had become Americanized, by wearing American captured uniforms. The CO told his men that the 42nd Army had been in KOREA waging a war against the American Army and that it had captured enough clothing to outfit most of the troops of the Army. Questioned as to whether this included arms & equipment, PW did not know.

PW were told sometime soon after their entry into KOREA that there were 1 million men under LIN PIAO’S 4th Army and that not all of those troops were in KOREA.

The 7th Co was armed with two 50mm Mortars (plus 15 rd each), four US LMG (plus approx 300 rd each), thirty type 38 rifles (plus 20 to 50 rd each), four pistols, three Grease Guns and two grenades each. PW stated that the above mentioned weapons are only 50% of the required amount.

The HMG Co, 3rd Bn had two HMG (plus 1000 rd each).

PW stated that they have never received any supplies or equipment after leaving MANCHURIA. Food was foraged daily by the soldiers from villagers and there were times when the PW had no food for 2-3 days.

PW were told by their Bn CO, Co Grade officers, and the political officers, that the mission of their Bn was to guard the area around YANGJI-RI at all cost. They were told that this was to be done in order to protect and give rest to the 38th Army and the 148th and 149th Div of the 50th Army have been in constant battle with the enemy. During this period of rest, the 38th Army and 148th and 149th Div were to reorganize and refit their troops with food, clothing, arms and ammunition. Personnel replacements were to be made by breaking up one co and assigning the troops to another.

They were told that the 150th Div had been given the mission of guarding the area because it had seen the least action of the 3 Div under the 50th Army. Around 15 Jan 51, PW were also told by their political officer that the 150th Div CO WONG Chia Sun, the 450th Regt CO and the Asst Regt CO LI Tun Hai, had gone back to CHINA to report on the war situation and to confer with the commanders of the Air Corps and Mechanized units. PW were told that they were expected to be back within a period of 40 days. They therefore believed that if any offensive was to be launched, it would come after they returned to KOREA or if sooner on Chinese New Years.

WONG, Chia Sun(王家山), approx 40, 150th Div CG.

LEE, Tung Hi(李忠海), approx 40, 450th Regt Asst CO.

SOON, Jyang Song(孫江■), approx 30, 7th Co CO.

PIAN, Tu Shuen(邊德宣), approx 26, 1st Plat Ldr.

PW said that all men in their unit professed ardent desires to return to their homeland, and that there were many who desired to escape or desert from the army were it not for the fact that they would be captured immediately upon their return home. PW said that one soldier went berserk and disappeared from the unit because he was unable to return to his homeland.

Their ability to fight was greatly decreased due to the physical ailments suffered by nearly 80% of the men in the PW company.

They were told that although they are presently fighting the Imperialist American Army which possesses tanks and planes, there was nothing to fear because their own mechanized div and planes were in the process of being shipped to them.

PW claimed that the best and most effective means and time to induce their own troops into surrendering was to call upon them to do so while they are being blasted and attacked by the Infantry artillery team. PW said that only under these conditions will the troops come out of their dug in shelters which enable to stand aerial attacks and artillery bombardment.

They were curious to know why it was that American infantryman did not attack after a heavy artillery barrage or an air strike on them.

For the AC of S, G-2: