ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3559 24 February 1951
FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS MIDI - 0266) 8 February 1951
| NAME: | CHO Nam Pyon (趙南■) |
| AGE: | 18 |
| RANK: | Guerrilla |
| UNIT: | South Army, CHIRI SAN Guerrilla Unit, 505 Regt, 1st District Unit |
| DUTY: | Runner |
| NATIONALITY: | South Korean |
| OCCUPATION: | Clerk |
| EDUCATION: | Middle School 11 yr |
| DATE OF CAPTURE, PLACE: | On 060800 Feb 51 at CHONGCHON (CR3727) |
PW was cooperative and answered freely during interrogation. He does not have any information of tactical value, therefore he is not recommended for further interrogation.
a. Chronology:
PW was conscripted into the South Army, Chirisan Guerrilla Unit, 505 Regt, 1st District Unit on 15 Nov 50 in a mountain in vicinity of OKTONG-NI (CT3657). This was a newly organized Guerrilla Army and was organized at the same place and same day he was conscripted.
The South Army departed 15 Nov 50 via TANGAM-NI (CT8258), YANGGU (DT1117), IMJI (DT2712), crossed the 38th parallel over the ODAE-SAN (DS5982). At DOKCHON-GI (DS7110) they engaged the security police suffering 1 dead, 5 wounded. At TAEBAEK SAN (DS9305), YUNGCHUN (DS5403), CHA■GMING (DR4386), and TANGYAN (DR3988) they suffered approx 30 KIA and 6 WIA. On 29 Jan 51 arrived at KANGPYONG-NI (CR8855)
5 Feb 51 the PW deserted his unit with the intent to surrender because he was conscripted and had no desire to join and he was sick. Many times during their travel he observed his superior kill those who were sick with a sword while they slept. On 060800 he surrendered to the CHONGCHON-NI Security Police.
b. Organization and Strength (Present):
The South Army Guerrilla Unit was made up of a Hq, consisting of a Chief of Staff Section, with 5 or 6 officers and a Security Section with about 25 men. Also under the GHQ was a Military Affair Section with about 15 men and a Political Hq with 16 men. Under the Military Affairs was a Medical Unit.
There were 4 regt, the 505th, 506th, 507th, 508th Regt, plus a People’s Brigade and a West Unit (reclassed div) all with about 60 men apiece.
Each regt had 2 district (co level) units about 30 men apiece and each district was composed of 2 plat and each plat had 2 sqd.
Started with approx 1,200 men and at present have only approx 700 men. There were 30 women in the Southern Guerrilla Army and West Guerrilla Unit. These women worked, propagandized, and acted as nurses.
c. Deployment of PW Unit:
South Army Hq and all regt Hq are located in KANGPYONG-NI until 5 Feb 1951 when last observed by PW.
d. Deployment of Other Units:
On 29 Jan 51, observed 20 members of the CHUNGCHONG PUKTO Guerrilla Unit in KANGPYONG-NI. Heard from his regt comdr that they were short of men and are going to induct these men.
While marching through mountain trails in the vic of TANYANG, PW passed the 10th Div. He was told by troops of the 10th Div that the Div had 10,000 men, also that the 10th Div was to pass MUNGYONG to ANDONG. While passing the 10th Div noticed there were many casualties scattered along the trail.
e. Status of Arms, Ammo and Equipment:
As of 29 Jan 51: 1 x 82mm Mortar and 8 rd, 1 HMG and 500 rd, 2 LMG and 1,000 rd each, 6 SMG and 210 rd each, 4 Carbine M2 and 25 rd apiece, 10 Carbine-M1 and 25 rd apiece, 30 M1 rifle and 80 rd apiece. Rest carried Russian rifles. In addition to this each man carried 1 or 2 hand grenades.
f. Mission and Intention:
The South Army Guerrilla Unit was to destroy roads, bridges, factories in rear areas, to attack security police station and to procure rifles and ammo.
He heard from a fellow soldier what they plan to enter CHIRISAN (CQ8108) vic SONGNISAN (CE9940) and TOGYUSAN (CQ5159). After entering CHIRISAN they were to join forces with other groups.
g. Personalities:
KIM Hung Bok (金興福), 25, 505 Regt Comdr
SONG Kwan Il (宋■一), 28 yr, 506 Regt Comdr
KIM Chong Gi (金正基), 27 yr, 507 Regt Comdr
Ko Hyon Sok (高鏡■), 30 yr, 508 Regt Comdr
KIM Chong Su (金鍾珠), 23 yr, CO 1st District 505 Regt
MUN Chae Hui (文在熙), 24 yr, CO 2nd District 505 Regt
h. Medical:
40 wounded, 50 cases of flu, and 30 cases of frostbite.
i. Tactics or Warfare:
Before they attack a town they first capture a guard and learn the pass word, then place units to guard roads entering the town.
After these are secured they attack.
For the AC of S, G-2:
YAMADA
