ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 3752 2 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (164 MISDI 1613) 28 February 1951
| NAME: | LEE Sung Sok (李順碩)(리순석)(ROKA) |
| RANK: | Sgt |
| ORGANIZATION: | 8th ROK Div, 118th Mp Bn, 3rd Company |
| DATE AND PLACE OF CAPTURE, CAPTURING UNIT: | 121000 I Feb 51, TOKHWA NI (village 10 Km North of HOENGSONG (DS 1148), by CCF unit. |
| DATE AND PLACE OF ESCAPE: | 171930 1 Feb 51, in village 32 Km north of HOENGSONG, from CCF unit. |
| INTERROGATED AT: | 1st ROK Hospital, TAEGU (DQ 6068) |
| INTERROGATOR: | GWA |
PW was suffering from frost bitten feet.
Was not able to understand much of what his CCF captors said because he does not know the Chinese language. He seemed to be confused as to what he saw. Therefore, the reliability of the information should be evaluated accordingly.
a. Chronology:
12 Feb 51, CCF units were attacking 8th ROK Division in vicinity of HONGCHON (DS 1272). 3rd Company 118th MP Battalion fell back southward approx 6 Km to TOKHWA NI. The 3rd Company CO was killed by CCF mortar fire and found itself cut off from further withdrawal by CCF soldiers. Surrendered with 7 other ROK MP to these CCF soldiers. Were guarded during the rest of the daylight hours of 12 Feb 51, by approx 40 CCF infantrymen. Marched northward over an automobile road to village approx 16 Km north of TOKHWA NI. Spent the day sleeping in a Korean farmhouse.
132100 I Feb 51, marched northward by approx 40 CCF soldiers to village approx 32 Km north of TOKHWA NI. Spent the day sleeping in a farmhouse.
At 142100 Feb 51, 40 CCF soldiers marched them to another village approx 48 Km north of TOKHWA NI. Were ordered to stay in a farmhouse. Remained there 15, 16 and 17 Feb 51.
At 171930 Feb 51, granted permission to leave the farmhouse to defecate. Noticed that the CCF soldiers were preoccupied with eating supper, so he escaped and wandered southward for approx 4 Km to village where he was given food, shelter, and Korean civilian clothing by a farmer.
181000 Feb 51, departed the above village, walked approx 16 Km southward and arrived at another village. Observed approx 50 CCF soldiers who were apparently living in the village. Told them through their interpreter that he was a refugee and they believed him. Walked approx 4 Km farther southward and arrived village 18 Km north of TOKHWA NI. Was given food and shelter by a farmer until US 1st Cav Division rescued him when they entered the village 23 Feb 51.
b. Targets
Approx 50 CCF soldiers were living in village 32 Km north of TOKHWA NI as of 18 Feb 51.
c. Enemy Combat Effectiveness
CCF seemed efficient in battle. All personnel whom he observed were in good physical condition.
d. Weapons and Equipment
All of the 40 CCF infantrymen whom subject observed 12 Feb 51 at TOKHWA NI carried US M-1 rifles. Each man had several hand grenades.
18 Feb 51, observed 50 CCF soldiers in village 28 Km north of TOKHWA NI. Only approx 20 of these men were armed and they carried an assortment of US M-1 rifles, Jap Model-38 rifles and US 30 Cal Carbines. Each of the 50 CCF soldiers had several hand grenades. Some of the men were carrying the tubes, bi-pods, and base plates for 3 x 60mm mortars (US make) and an unknown number of rounds for these mortars. Observed 2 light artillery pieces each limbered to 3 horses. These artillery pieces were apparently about to depart northward.
e. Enemy Movement
Approx 40 CCF infantrymen were to march to HONGCHON from an village 48 Km north of TOKHWA NI 17 Feb 51. PW was given to understand this by what he could make out of conversation between the 40 CCF soldiers.
f. Tactics and Techniques
CCF attacked in no particular formation. They merely rushed "enmasse".
g. Uniform and Personal Equipment
All CCF personnel whom observed wore typical cotton-padded CCF winter uniforms. These uniforms were in good condition.
h. Communication
Subject observed 2 US "handie talkie" wireless sets being carried by a couple of CCF soldiers who were part of a group of 50 CCF soldiers observed on 18 Feb 51 in village 23 Km north of TOKHWA NI.
i. Enemy Morale
Subject considered CCF personnel to have a high state of morale and discipline seemed to be excellent.
j. Rations
PW was given a total of approx 5 liters of soy beans daily. This was divided into two meals. His CCF captors, however, ate considerably more although they too had only soy beans and were fed only twice daily.
k. UN PW
PW observed approx 20 US soldiers being marched northward through the streets of village 16 Km north of TOKHWA NI. These US soldiers were uninjured, guarded by 10 CCF soldiers, and passed by Subject 131600 Feb 51. These US soldiers had been stripped of their pile jackets and sweaters by the guards who were wearing and carrying the Americans' winter clothing.
l. General Treatment
PW and the 7 other ROKA MP's captured with him received fairly good treatment. They were not molested by their CCF captors although the captors did confiscate their personal possessions.
For the AC of S, G-2:
HONG
