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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3637　27 February 1951

FIELD REPORT (2 DIV LDI - 0114)　7 February 1951

Cooperative and very intelligent but reluctant in answering some questions. Information seems reliable.

Recommended for further interrogation.

12th Div intention was to sever the MSR extending from WONJU to SEOUL and get up a defensive position there to prevent UN troops from going to SEOUL. 6th Div was to set up defensive positions on 12th Div west flank. Div were to secure the road before their 4th phase of operations began. NKA intended to rest and prepare for their general offensive but since the UN Forces kept advancing, the 12th Div was ordered to set up a defensive position NE of HOENGSONG. 12th Div main defensive force was to be set up on Hill 732 and 740 (both hills located about 12 km NE of HOENGSONG). One Bn of troops (about 400 men) was to stay on both hills to encounter the advancing UN Force while the Div hid on the opposite side of the hills. Div plans were to allow the UN troops to assault the hills while their main body of force (on opposite sides of hills) encircled the UN forces from both flanks.

Strength of 12th Div, was estimated to be about 12,000 men. Originally, 12th Div was comprised of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and an artillery Regt, totalling about 9,000 men but o/a 28 Jan 51, four replacement Bn were sent from NK to reenforce the Div. Replacement Bn totalled about 4,000 men of which two thirds were SK (former ROK and civilians) who were captured or inducted into the NKA during the early part of the war and taken to NK to receive basic training. None of the replacements were armed.

The following weapons were observed in the 1st Bn of the 2nd Regt: 3 x 81mm mortars (20 rd ea), 3 HMG (US make) (ammo unk). 2 LMG per plat (1,000 rd ea), 10 PPSH SMG per plat (500 rd ea), 15 rifles per plat (1-200 rd ea), 9 Russian rifles per plat (150 rd ea) and 2 hand grenades ea.

Every Bn in the 12th Div had the same type and amount of weapons and ammo. There was an AT Co attached to the Div. 120 men in the Co and each man carried 1 anti-tank mine (US).

An Hmg Co attached to the Div was used primarily for demolishing bridges. 120 men in the Co, armed with 3 LMG. No other weapon observed except pistols, carried by officers.

At time of capture, 12th Div CP was located in small village of SADONG (DS0964). Village was situated in a ravine between two high hills.

2nd Regt CP was located at PE’GOI (approx 6 km N of TAEBON (DS0653), also a small village. This was only a temporary CP area and PW believes that the Regt Hq moved.

1st Bn CP was located in KOKCHANG (approx 300 meters N of TAEBONG) at time of capture but he believes that the CP moved to another area.

1st Regt was on the 2nd Regt right flank.

O/a 28 Jan 51, heard from his Co CO that a large CCF unit was resting at CHUNCHON. Also heard from his Bn CO that their 4th phase of operation (general offensive) was going to begin on 20 Feb 51. At that time, they were to be supported by artillery, tanks and planes. Heard that their planes would be used primarily to engage the UN air forces in aerial combat so that the advancing CCF troops would not be interfered with from the air.

Two-thirds of the men in 12th Div were cotton quilted winter uniforms and the other third wore summer uniforms or civilian clothes.

There were 40 men in the 2nd Bn who were affected by typhus. Five men from PW Co also had typhus. Medical facilities were inadequate and no treatment was given to the typhus patients. No treatment given to other men for precaution against the typhus disease. Typhus patients kept separate from other men.

Majority of the men were in poor health because of lack of sleep.

Food found in villages was sufficient.

Morale was low among the men due to lack of sleep and the long continuous marching. Also because they always received air attack, whereas they had no air support.

CH’OE, Al Un, (31), Maj Gen, 12th Div CG

KIM, Joong Kyu, Sr Col, former 2nd Regt CO

KIM, I Su, (26), Col, former 1st Bn CO

For the AC of S G-2: