ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3768 2 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS MISDI - 0300) 20 February 1951
| NAME: | WU Chung Chun (吳占春)(CCF) |
| AGE: | 35 |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| UNIT: | 42nd CCF Army, 125th Div, 374th Regt, 3rd Bn Hq. |
| DUTY: | Cook (3rd Bn Mess) |
| OCCUPATION: | Carpenter |
| EDUCATION: | None |
| DATE AND PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 191500 Feb 51 at vic of SANGPA-DONG (CS955419). |
Cooperative; since being of Bn service unit, information limited, but considered fairly reliable. Not recommended for further interrogation.
a. Chronology:
PW formerly with the CNA. Captured by the CCF at SSUPINGKAI, MANCHURIA 3 Feb 48. Ever since then, served with 42nd Army.
125th Div crossed the YALU River over the ANTUNG-SINUIJU bridge mid-October. Unit marched southward taking mountain trails and secondary roads. Stayed for 4-6 days in several places, and arrived vic of CS 955419 161400 Feb 51, via P'YONGYANG and SEOUL. Crossed the HAN River at CS3357 about a month ago and again 8 Feb in the vic CS6744. When the Div arrived at vic CS955419 they split, first by Regt and then by Bn. Immediately after PW 3rd Bn dug in on hill 488 (CS9047) the unit was attacked by ROK unit. After engaging the enemy for about 3 days, unit started withdrawing from the area because of severe shelling and air strikes. PW remained and later captured.
b. Organization and Strength:
When 125th Div crossed the YALU River Oct 50, Div strength was about 10,000 men.
125th Div composed 373rd, 374th, and 375th Regt. 374th Regt had 3 Rifle Bn. 3rd Bn had 3 Rifle Co and a HMG Co. Bn strength as of 18 Feb was believed 500 men, while the original strength was about 700 men. Loss was caused mainly by arty and air bombardment.
c. Deployment of Unit:
Heard from officers 16 Feb that 3rd Bn CP was located at the north slope of the hill 488 (CS9047); 2nd Bn CP on hill approx 4 km S of 3rd Bn CP; the 1st Bn CP on hill approx 4 km E of the 2nd Bn CP; and the 374th Regt CP on hill approx 4 km N of the 1st Bn CP.
Heard from a Bn messenger that 125th Div deployed between the areas CS8347 to DS0854, o/a 16 Feb 51.
d. Status of Arms and Ammunition (Present):
Following weapons were observed in the 3rd Bn Hq area 16 Feb 51: 9 HMG with 5,000 rd each; six 60mm mortars; and 3 bazookas with shells. To the best of PW knowledge 374th Regt did not receive any new supply of weapons or ammunition.
e. Status of Food and Clothing:
No renewal of clothing issue or food supply was received since Oct 50. However, 374th Regt received a pair of new canvas shoes near the HAN River 6 Feb 51. The shoes were manufactured in HARBIN, MANCHURIA.
Food received by the immediate Communist Party Hq. Fed two meals a day: an average of 500 grams of rice daily.
f. Mission:
Mission of 374th Regt unknown, however, told by officer 16 Feb that they were to defend hill 488 and to repel all enemy.
g. Personalities:
WONG Lee Hi (王利海); 34 yr; Political Off; 3rd Bn.
h. Physical Condition:
The physical condition of 3rd Bn in general was good, because majority of the troops were young.
i. Psychological Warfare:
At one time or the other all troops of 374th Regt picked up UN leaflets. After reading leaflets majority of the troops had faith in the statement and were willing to surrender at the first opportunity.
For the AC of S, G-2:
YAMADA
