ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3653 27 February 1951
FIELD REPORT (2 DIV LDI - 0190) 12 February 1951
| PW NAME: | KIM Sung Kyu |
| AGE: | 26 |
| RANK: | Cpl |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| UNIT: | NKA 12th Div, 3rd Regt, 1st Bn, 3rd Co, 1st Plat |
| DATE & PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 091500 Feb 51 |
| INTERROGATED BY: | Sgt KITSU |
Cooperative but reluctant in giving information. Seemed to be intelligent and information seems reliable.
8 Feb 51, PW unit was engaged in combat with an element of the 8th ROK Div and during the battle, PW was wounded. That same day, unit retreated and left the wounded behind. On 9 Feb 51, PW and another man were captured.
a. Chronology: 071900 Feb 51, 12th Div with its elements departed SINDAE-RI (CS9661) and arrived vic SONGHWADAE (DS0354) the morning of 8 Feb 51. Heard from Plat ldr that the intention of 12th Div was to encircle two UN Regt and 1 ROK Regt which were reported in the SONGHWADAE (DS0354) Area. Also heard that the 12th Div would be supported by the NKA 6th Div. Also heard that after the three said Regt were annihilated, the 12th Div and the 6th Div were to go back to SINDAE-RI (CS9661) to regroup and be reorganized.
b. T/O and E: 12th Div had the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Regt, communications Bn, and a Recon Co. The 1st and 2nd Regt spearheaded the attack on SONGHWADAE (DS0354) while the 3rd Regt set up defensive positions on a hill approx 4 km N of SONGHWADAE.
Strength of the 3rd Regt, before they were attacked by UN Forces, was estimated to be approx 2,000 men. The Regt was comprised of 3 Rifle Bn, an Anti-tank Co, Supply Co, Recon Co and a Mortar Co. Bn strength estimated to be 500 men.
Weapons in the 3rd Regt, 1st Bn were: 82mm mortar (60 rd per), 105mm Arty piece (hearsay), HMG ”Maxim” (1,600 rd), 9 LMG (600 rd per), 5 PPSH SMG per Plat (1,000 rd per), 6 Anti-tank grenade per Co.
All others armed with Russian Rifles (200 rd per). There was a suicide group of 9 men per Co and they were called “Tank Destroying Team”.
Strength of the 1st and 2nd Regt were the same as that of 3rd Regt except that the men in the 1st and 2nd Regt were Koreans who had received their training in MANCHURIA. Type and amount of weapons in the 1st and 2nd Regt believed to be the same as 3rd Regt, but the 1st and 2nd Regt had higher combat efficiencies.
Heard from Plat Ldr and from his company commander that the 12th Div was to have a month’s rest and at the same time, regroup and reorganize and prepare for the 4th phase of operation which was to begin o/a 20 Feb 51. Their rest period was interrupted by the UN Forces advance and therefore, the 12th and 6th Div were ordered to stop the advancing UN Forces at SONGHWADAE (DS0354). Head that this act was not a counter offensive nor was it a general offensive, but merely holding attack to stop the UN Forces advance.
Also heard from his Co CO that when their General Offensive begins, they would be supported by tanks, planes and even warships. They would continuously advance and push the UN Forces all the way south. The NKA would also attempt to infiltrate the UN Forces positions and cut the MSR and attack from rear positions.
c. Clothing: Everyone in the 12th Div wore winter uniforms.
d. Medical: Neither saw nor heard of any contagious diseases.
e. Physical Condition: Men were all in healthy condition.
f. Food: Food found in villages was sufficient.
g. Morale: Morale of the troops was very high due to the fact that the 12th Div was well organized with athletic programs and various types of activities to please the men.
For the AC of S, G-2:
OJI
