ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3731 2 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (EXTRACT OF ADVATIS SPECIAL REPORT 031) 23 February 1951
| PW NAME: | KAO, Hsiu Ti (高秀地) |
| PW NUMBER: | 701055 |
| RANK: | Sqd Ldr |
| AGE: | 35 |
| UNIT: | CCF, 4th Field Army, 50th Army, 148th Div, 43rd Regt, 3rd Bn, 7th Co, 3rd Plat, 8th Sqd |
| INTERROGATOR: | T/Sgt LEE (FEAF) |
Reliability, good.
a. Description of Flags:
The signal flags are about 15" x 15". The staff is about 22" in length. Only two colors are used, red and white. No designs on the flags.
b. Variations:
No variations in either the type or use of the flags, at the various unit levels. All units use the same system.
c. Use of Flags:
The Co CO carries the flags. Red in the right hand and white in the left. By bringing up the red flag and pointing it forward with the right arm parallel with the ground, means for the 1st Plat, located at the extreme right, facing the active front, to move forward. The same signal of the white flag, with the left hand, signals the extreme left plat, which usually is the 3rd Plat, to move forward. The 2nd Plat is located in the center of the “V” formation, with the Co CO directly behind. Usually the 2nd Plat is termed the “reserve plat” whenever the 1st or 3rd Plat needs replacements or reinforcements. Raising the red flag and waving it in a 360° circle means for the 1st plat, located on the right flank, to pull back. The same applies to the white flag using the left hand. If the distance is too far and the signal flags cannot be seen, then bugle calls are used.
d. Special Training:
Does not know if special training is required for signal personnel or not. However, in a Co, only the Co CO and the asst CO are authorized to use the signal flags. If both were killed, there would be no one left authorized to use the signal flags.
e. Manuals:
There are manuals covering the system of signal flag communications. The manual is about 6" x 6". The front cover is white, with the back cover yellow. Does not know the characters written on the front cover. However, all Co CO carry this manual at all times.
f. Provisions to make Flags visible at night:
Signal flags are not used during the night. Only during day operations. At night bugles and whistles are used for signalling. One long blast on the whistle means “attention” and two long blasts means that the “objective is close.” Three long blasts means to “retreat.”
g. Standardization of System:
The signal flag system is the same throughout the 4th Field Army.
h. Buglers:
There is a bugler in each Co Hq. On the average, only the plat ldr and up understand the different bugle calls. Because of this PW unit uses the bugle as a means of signalling only when they have to.
i. Prearranged signal:
A prearranged signal system is decided upon prior to moving out on an extended march or “going into the line” or a planned attack. The standard practice is to use the whistle as a means of signalling when close to the friendly forces. The bugle as means of signalling is used when the unit is spread out. Flare pistols are used as means of signalling, only when a full Bn is committed to battle. The Bn CO carries the flare pistol and there’s one flare pistol to a Bn. The location of the personnel using the flare pistols is usually in the immediate vicinity of Bn CP.
j. Flares:
One red flare means the enemy is in the immediate area or enemy contacted. Two red flares means to “attack.” One green flare means to “retreat” or “pull back.”
Prior to entering KOREA, plat ldr were authorized to use the red and white signal flag system. But, since most of the fighting is done at night in KOREA by the CCF, only the Co CO uses the red and white signal flags, during daylight operations. The system is decided prior to moving out.
For the Commanding Officer:
ROBINSON
