ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3574 26 February 1951
FIELD REPORT (163-MISDI-0296) 13 February 1951
| PW NAME: | LEE, Yong Cho (李永造) (NKA) |
| PW NO: | 1st M-P-4607 |
| RANK: | Sr Lt |
| DUTY: | Co CO |
| UNIT: | II Corps, 10th Div, 25th Regt, 3rd Bn, 7th Co |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | OKSAN DONG (ER 2622) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 10 Feb 51 |
| INTERROGATOR: | MATSUSHITA |
PW was a communist and hesitated in answering questions.
Not recommended for further interrogation.
a. Mission:
The 10th Div mission when it left North KOREA was to disperse and cause confusion among UN troops. While this harassing was in progress, the CCF was to attack the main UN defense line.
b. Strength of Unit:
(1) Original Strength: O/a 5 Nov 50 at YANGGU, North KOREA.
10th Div - 9000 men (approx)
25th Regt - 2500 men
3rd Bn, 25th Regt - 300 men
7th Co, 3rd Bn, 25th Regt - 50 men
(2) Other Regt Strength:
27th Regt - 2500 men (approx)
29th Regt - 2500 men
Arty Regt - 200 men
Code Name: 10th Div - “YONGMA KANG” (name of river)
25th Regt - “TUMAN GANG” (name of river)
Code No: 25th Regt #747
APO No: 25th Regt #1100
(3) Present Strength: 7 Feb 51 at OKSAN DONG (ER 2622)
10th Div Hq and Arty Regt combined: 1000 men
25th Regt: 300 men
PW heard rumors among the officers that the 27th and 29th Regt had approximately 300 to 500 men.
c. Chronology:
5 Nov 50 - 10th Div was reorganized in YANGGU, North KOREA. (Strength approx 9000). Newly conscripted men had no training. 10th Div stayed in YANGGU, North KOREA for one month conscripting men from that area.
15 Dec 50 -10th Div left YANGGU, North KOREA. Upon leaving, the 27th Regt led the way followed by 10th Div Hq and Arty Regt; 29th Regt and 25th Regt. There was approximately 4 to 8 Km distance between Regt. 10th Div traveled only nights through mountain passes. Different Regt took turns as leading element. While enroute South from YANGGU, North KOREA to ANDONG, the 25th Regt received approx 10 air attacks. Out of all the air attacks, the 3rd Bn, 25th Regt had 20 KIA and 30 WIA. Seriously wounded were left in care of villagers.
15 Jan 51 - 10th Div arrived in the vicinity West of ANDONG (DR 7646). From here headed ESE approx 40 Km passing through the mountains S of KIRAN MYON (DR 9232) and went to CHONGSONG (ER 0531).
20 Jan 51 - PW heard that the 27th and 29th Regt separated from the 10th Div. 10th Div Hq, 25th and Arty Regt headed south for approximately 4 Km, then West toward CHISO DONG (DR 9922). Being sick with high fever, PW was carried on a stretcher. From CHISO DONG (DR 9922) the 10th Div Hq, 25th and Arty Regt headed north for approx 4 Km, then east again toward CHONGSONG (ER0531). Div went around in a circle to avoid UN Forces.
6 Feb 51 - Arrived in vicinity of OKSAN DONG (ER 2622). Here the Div and 25th Regt CP was set up. They stayed for one day.
7 Feb 51 - PW was left behind with 23 other men (15 wounded and 8 sick) and sent to TONGDAE SAN (DR 2617) field hospital. The hospital was a hastily constructed shelter. Here PW and 23 men were put in without care.
10 Feb 51 - Surrounded and captured.
d. Personalities:
10th Div CG - LEE, Pan Nam (李芳男), Maj Gen.
10th Div Hq C of S - MUN, Chon (文天), Sr Col.
25th Regt CO - KIM, Chol Man (金喆萬), Col.
25th Regt Hq C of S - LEE, Kae Son (李溪善), Lt Col.
3rd Bn CO - PAK, Man Kyon (白萬京), Major.
e. Weapons and Equipment: (3rd Bn, 25th Regt)
1 82mm Mortar; unk ammo
3 HMG 300 rd per HMG
2 LMG 100 rd per LMG
20 PPsh-SMG 142 rd per SMG
10 M1943 PPS-SMG 100 rd per SMG
20 US M1 Rifles 30 rd per rifle
1 Russian Field Binocular 6X
4 Field telephones (1000 meter of wire)
f. Status and Route of Supply:
Ammo - When 10th Div left North KOREA, troops were told that there will be no resupply. Each received approximately 300 rd of rifle ammunition.
Food - Food was either begged or confiscated. Only Political persons attached to 10th Div were allowed to procure food from the villages.
Medical - Sick troops complained mostly of soreness and high fever. PW believes many troops have ulcers. Medical Supply:
Penicillin (liquid)
Diazene (powder)
Mercurochrome
Korean headache medicine
Bandages
There were approximately 20 nurses attached to the 10th Div
Clothing - No excess clothing was carried. Most troops received one uniform when they left YANGGU, North KOREA. Some wore white civilian clothes. Because of the shortage they took clothes from their own or from UN troops KIA.
Shelter - Enroute from YANGGU, North KOREA, the troops slept in villages. At present, troops take shelter in mountain areas.
g. Foreign Elements:
PW heard that 4 Armies of CCF troops were to follow the 10th Div approximately one month later.
h. Morale:
Upon leaving North KOREA, spirits were very high; however, after reaching the present area, morale took a sharp drop. At present, troops complained about their inferior weapons as compared to UN weapons. The officers still had fairly high morale.
i. Weapons most feared:
Air attack was most feared among NK troops, especially napalm bombs. Other than air attacks, artillery barrage was most feared.
j. Assignment and Intention:
7th Co was used as reconnaissance unit in ANDONG area (DR 7646) to make sure that UN Forces are avoided. An encounter with UN Force at present will cause loss in strength, especially with the odds against them; therefore, they were to harass the UN Force by severing MSR and wait for CCF to arrive.
k. Propaganda Background:
PW received 3 years of Primary Schooling at MUNCHON GUN, TOKWON MYON, North KOREA. 28 Aug 46, PW joined the North Korean Communist Labor Party. He was a member until 5 Jan 47. 5 Jan 45 - joined NKA and until the outbreak of the Korean war, was learning the history and ways of Soviet life.
For the AC of S, G-2:
UYEDA
