ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3910 9 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (163 - MISDI - 0301) 24 February 1951
| PW NAME: | TIEN Shao Tseng (田少增) WANG Chieh Hsin (王杰新) |
| PW NO: | 1st M-P-4646, 1st M-P-4647 |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| UNIT: | 6th Co, 2d Bn, 591st Regt, 197th Div, 66th Army, 20th Army Group |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 24 Feb 51 |
| CAPTURING UNIT: | 1st Bn, 1st Marines |
| INTERROGATOR: | Sgt ANDO |
Captured when Co defensive position on hill overrun by 1st Marines. Troops helpless under heavy ground and artillery attack. Tactical information limited. Not recommended for further interrogation. PW gave conflicting statements repeatedly.
a. Mission: To defend hill.
6th Co ordered to defend hill (capturing place of PW) to the last man.
b. Strength of Unit:
(1) Original Strength: Oct 50, when entering KOREA: 66th Army
196th Div - 6000
197th Div - 6000
198th Div - 6000
(2) Present Strength: 24 Feb 51
197th Div - 3000
591st Regt - 1000
c. Code Name:
Code Names: 197th Div - “YO SAM PU”
Code No: 591st Regt - “26 PU” (26th unit)
d. Chronology:
Oct 50 - 66th Army entered KOREA in vicinity of SINUIJU. Travelled Southward on foot in rear of 4th Field Army.
10 Jan 51 - Arrived at KUMHWA, North KOREA and rested for twenty days.
1 Feb 51 - 66th Army departed and travelled past HWACH’ON, North KOREA.
14 Feb 51 - Arrived HONGCH’ON vicinity and rested two days. 197th Div advanced towards WONJU but upon learning of large UN reinforcements withdrew Northward.
23 Feb 51 - 6th Co dug in on hill.
24 Feb 51 - Captured when defense position attacked and secured by 1st Marines. Almost all of 6th Co annihilated. 591st Regt Hq located approximately 8 Km NW from place of capture.
e. Weapons and Equipment:
One Bn possessed: 6 - 60mm Mortars
2 - 82mm Mortars
12 - LMG
4 - HMG
Majority of troops armed with Japanese rifles. Others possessed US M1 rifles and carbines. 10 horses utilized by 591st Regt for hauling ammo and food. Had many horses formerly, but killed by air attacks.
One wireless transmitter to each Bn. Also telephone communication down to Bn. Flares used for signalling purposes between companies. Several different colored flags, each having different meaning. Did not know what different colored flares signified. No vehicles observed.
f. Status of Supply:
Shortage of rifle ammo evident. Had not received any resupply of rifle ammo since entering KOREA. Were given two hand grenades each at KUMHWA, North KOREA. Recent ammo supply only for LMG.
Acute shortage of food among troops. No recent food supply from rear, also food in villages nearby all consumed. Low supply of rice forced troops to eat soy beans and corn.
g. Foreign Elements:
NK troops were deployed forward of CCF troops.
h. Morale:
Troops continue to complain day after day due to lack of food and poor fighting condition. They do not want to fight but helplessly follow orders for fear of disciplinary action from officers. PW had not seen any UN surrender leaflets.
Napalm bomb from aircraft inflicting higher casualties than any other kind of attack.
i. General:
Formerly members of Chinese Nationalist Army. Captured in April 49. Both prisoners had no education.
For the AC of S, G-2:
UYEDA
