ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 3586 26 February 1951
The following information was obtained from recovered American military personnel who were interrogated upon arrival in JAPAN from KOREA by Central Interrogation Center, TIS. The interrogation was conducted at Tokyo General Hospital by Capt SHAPPELL.
During a night attack somewhere S of the HAN River on 31 Jan 50, L Co of the 19th Inf Regt was penetrated, and Pfc Sicher, with two other men who were new replacements and unknown to him, was captured by Chinese troops. One of the men captured was of Mexican or Spanish descent and captured the immediate interest of the Chinese.
The men were marched over one hill and held in a wooded area. At dusk on 1 Feb 51 about 75 Chinese entered the area bearing captured equipment. Observed were steel helmets, sleeping bags, mortars, grenades, M1 rifles, and carbines. Source observed Chinese remove trigger housing group from M1 rifles with much skill. The original 75 Chinese were now joined by approximately 125 others carrying a great deal of American 30 caliber ammunition and C rations. Source was motioned over to one group and saw a mortar which he could not identify. The Chinese were trying to remove the barrel from the tripod legs without success. The reason seemed to be the fact that the barrel was screwed to the tripod instead of clamped on. Pleading ignorance of how to disassemble the weapon, source was allowed to go back to former position. While returning, one soldier forcibly took his lighter.
Later that night, the entire group crossed the frozen HAN River and walked North for 2 or 3 miles until another wooded area of small scrub trees was reached. The three prisoners were separated and source never again saw or heard of the two men who were captured with him.
A Chinese officer wearing black quilted pants and jacket, light tan ankle length shoes, GI glove inserts and with a solid yellow bar pinned on his winter cap approached source and began interrogating him in halting English.
Questions asked were:
How many men in your company when the Chinese attacked?
Was your outfit a battalion or regiment?
How many men in a fighting battalion?
When the source pleaded ignorance, the officer said, “I believe you know. Don’t be afraid. Be good to us and we will let you go.” At this point, the interrogator broke off, went to a group of four out of earshot, spoke to them and returned to source.
This time he asked if Americans stayed outside on the lines all the time, when Americans reach villages do they stay in them, how long, and what do they do in villages. Finally, source was asked how many tanks follow Americans in an attack. Source received the impression that the interrogator was asking questions at the request of the four other Chinese.
This concluded the second interview and three soldiers immediately took source’s snow pacs, pencil, wrist watch, field jacket, scarf, gloves, pistol belt and girl’s picture. Wallet was returned with drivers license and all MPC. A bundle of straw was kicked over to him and source sat on this the night of 1 Feb and all day 2 Feb 51.
Late in the afternoon of 2 Feb 51, the same interrogator approached and gave source a GI blanket and began interrogating the third time, asking the following questions:
How many generals in KOREA?
How much fighting strength behind the UN lines?
Do you eat well in the American Army?
Length of service in Army?
Finally, source was asked if he wouldn’t like to be home.
After this interrogation, the first food consisting of 2 rice balls, was given but no water.
The interrogator produced an M1 rifle and wanted to know if it was the best rifle American soldiers had. Pulling back the operating slide, he remarked, “No Good.” The slide had been oiled and the oil frozen according to source.
On the morning of 3 Feb 51, what source judged to be a company, 150 Chinese, assembled and were addressed for one hour by the same officer who did the interrogating. After the speech, the Chinese prepared to move out. The officer walked over to source, pointed and said, “American lines - go.”
After a walk of three miles, a Turkish patrol was met and source was taken to an unknown village. After a short wait, a jeep appeared and source was taken to a 3rd Div aid station and evacuated to JAPAN through medical channels.
Note: Source felt that the Chinese officer who interrogated him was excellent. Although his command of English was poor, his bearing and manner were such as to put anyone at ease. He always smiled, spoke in a kindly tone and gave source the impression that he could trust him. Never were there harsh tones or threatening gestures.
All troops observed were in good condition and had excellent morale. This was indicated by much laughter and horseplay.
For the CO TIS:
WEELDREYER
