ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3393 16 February 1951
FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS MISD - 0233) 30 January 1951
| NAME: | YANG Chong Soo (楊正書) |
| AGE: | 27 |
| DUTY: | Asst Plat Ldr |
| UNIT: | 50th CCF Army, 150th Div, 450th Regt, 1st Bn, HMG Co, 3rd Plat, 8th Sqd |
| DATE CAPTURED, PLACE: | Surrendered on 281900 Jan 51, at CS415268 Jan 51 |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| EDUCATION: | None |
PW, at first, gave false information and refused to reveal the true identity of his Div and Regt. Later, after being convinced that his falsehood would lead him nowhere, he stated that if he had revealed the true identity of his unit, he would be killed by his own men in the event he should be returned to his unit.
He may be withholding further information, however, since he seems to have been out of contact with higher headquarters, and other units, information was limited. He is recommended for further interrogation, with special emphasis on the identification of his unit.
a. Chronology:
PW Regt entered KOREA at SINUIJU o/a 25 Nov 50, and marched via mountain trails, passing through P’YONGYANG o/a 25 Dec 50. He heard from his superior officers that the 50th CCF Army crossed the YALU River into KOREA at SINUIJU at the time his Bn did.
On 1 Jan 51, the Regt rested for a day in the mountains approx 36 km N of KAESONG. From this point it travelled eastward for approx 15 km, then turned southward and arrived at a point approx 12 km E of SEOUL o/a 15 Jan 51. O/a 13 Jan 51, the 450th Regt passed approx 2 km W of SUWON CS2528 and rested for a day at a small village 2.5 km SW of SUWON. On 20 Jan 51, it proceeded eastward for approx 24 km and arrived at an unknown hill on 22 Jan 51 where it dug in and reconnoitered the enemy situation in that area. On 271900 Jan 51, it departed the hill and arrived at a hill believed to be in the vicinity of CS390304 on 280500 Jan 51. Here the Regt prepared their position under pine trees, or dug foxholes and camouflaged them from air observation, and remained in hiding, and rested. Commencing at 1200 hr of the same day, the Regt area was subjected to intense UN air and artillery attacks. The aerial strafing and bombing ended after dusk, however, the artillery continued even as PW descended from his position to surrender. On 281900 Jan 51 PW surrendered to the 5th Cav at 4 km SE of the hill at CS415268.
b. Unit Organization & Strength:
The 148th (code 1st Bn), 149th (code 2nd Bn), and 150th (code 3rd Bn) Divisions comprised the 50th CCF Army. The 150th Division consisted of the 448th (code 1st Co), 449th (code 2nd Co), and the 450th (code 3rd Co) Inf Regt. The 450th Inf Regt composed of 3 rifle Bn with an average strength of 450 men each. However due to casualties and sickness, the present strength was 350 to 360 men each. PW Bn consisted of 3 rifle Co, each with a present average strength of 90 men (normal strength was 127 men), and a HMG Co with present strength of 111 to 114 men (normal strength 127 men), a 82mm Mort Co (strength unknown), a Recon Plat (17 men), a Med Unit (24 men), were attached to Regt as far as PW knows.
c. Unit Location:
450th Inf Regt, including the Regt CP, was located on a hill (believed to be in vic of CS390304), located 4 km NW of his surrender point (CS415268).
1st Bn was midway up the hill on the SW slope, while the 2nd and 3rd Bn were dug in on the NE slope. The Regt CP was located at the W foot of the hill.
When the 450th Regt travelled on roads, the 1st Bn marched at the forward position followed by the 2nd Bn, with the 3rd Bn bringing up the rear. While proceeding through mountainous terrain or when deployed in their positions, the 1st Bn took the right flank and the 3rd Bn the left flank, with the 2nd Bn in the center. PW believed this system was also used at regimental level, although details were unknown. Locations of the Div and Army CP were unknown.
d. Equipment:
Each Rifle Co had two 60mm mortars (16-17 rd each), and 6 LMG (1,000 rd each). Approx 15 to 16 men in each Rifle Co were ammo bearers and unarmed. Others carried Jap model 38 rifles and Chinese rifles with approx 80 rd per rifle. PW HMG Co was equipped with 4 HMG (1,500 rd each), and 27 men in PW Co were ammo bearers and unarmed. Others were equipped as above. The Regt Mort Co was heard to be equipped with six 82mm mortars.
No new supply of arms or ammo was received since the Regt entered KOREA. No arty pieces or tanks were observed by PW.
e. Mission and Intention:
280800 Jan 51, his Co CO ordered all platoon leaders to have all men clean and check their weapons since their Co would participate in an attack in a day or two.
f. Personalities:
CHANG Chong Ming (張正明), age 24-25, rank unknown, CO HMG Co (1st Bn, 450th Regt), height 5 ft 7 in, build: slender.
g. Medical:
As of 25 Jan 51, 10 men in PW Co were suffering from malnutrition, 13 from colds and fever, 7 from trench foot, and 8 from malaria. Since entering KOREA 12 men have been sent to the rear due to health conditions. 6-7 were due to trench foot and the remainder were suffering from bleeding of the nose and blood in their stool. These latter patients were only able to urinate with difficulty and were constantly bothered by headaches and thirst. It was a contagious disease.
h. Morale
60% of the men in his Co retained their will to fight, since the Communist government had promised distribution of food rations to the families of servicemen. The other 40% could not endure the rigours of army life and therefore possessed very little fighting spirit.
i. Food
They were usually fed twice daily with enough food to satisfy their hunger. However, at times they were fed only once a day. Since entering KOREA PW could recall only 2 days when he was not fed at all.
For the AC of S, G-2:
IIDA
