ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3952 12 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (163-MISDI-0307) 2 March 1951
(Atchd 1st Mar Div)
| PW NAME: | CHUNG Tung Ji (長東計) |
| PW NO: | 1st M-P-4657 |
| DUTY: | Platoon Leader |
| UNIT: | 66th Army, 20th Army Group, 197th Div, 591st Regt, 3d Bn, 8th Co, 3d Plat. |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | DS 0950 |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 2 Mar 51 |
| CAPTURING UNIT: | 1st Marines |
| INTERROGATOR: | Sgt ANDO |
Captured when he remained on 8th Co defensive position (DS0950) while troops withdrew under orders. Cooperative during interrogation but lacked tactical information.
Not recommended for further interrogation.
a. Mission:
66th Army arrived at present area about a month ago with plans to go on defensive and slowly withdraw as far as the 38th parallel until supply problem became stabilized and more troops arrived. However, upon weakening of UN lines, it was to keep advancing south.
b. Strength of Unit:
(1) Original Strength: When entered KOREA, Nov 50.
591st Regt - approx 2000
Other Regt about the same strength.
(2) Present Strength: 2 Mar 51.
Each Regt - 700 to 800
3d Bn - 300
Heavy casualties suffered since arriving in present area. As of 2 Mar 51, 591st Regt CP located approx 6 km N of capturing place (DS0950). Also 66th Army CP was approx 4 km N of HONGCH’ON (DS0271).
Code Names: 197th Div - “FUN HWA PU”
Code No: 591st Regt - 26 PU
590th Regt)
589th Regt) - 25 PU, 27 PU, cannot determine which code no. for which Regt.
c. Chronology:
Nov 50 - 66th Army entered KOREA in vicinity of SINUIJU. Troops immediately took to mountains and traveled southward. Many were sent back with frostbite while moving South. 66th Army never engaged in battle above the 38th Parallel.
20 Feb 51 - 66th Army passed through HONGCH’ON (DS0271). All three divisions separated. PW never saw any other units besides 66th Army.
23 Feb 51 - 197th Div arrived NE of HOENGSONG where it dispersed and dug in. 8th Co dug in behind mountain (DS0590). 28 Feb 51 8th Co began receiving artillery fire.
2 Mar 51 - At 1160 hours as American Forces advanced toward the defensive position, 8th Co received orders to withdraw. As troops withdrew, PW remained in his foxhole and was captured.
d. Personalities:
3d Bn CO, 591st Regt: YANG Yi ■wa (楊義德)
8th Co CO: LEE Chong Shui (李長水)
e. Weapons and Equipment: 3d Bn
60mm Mortars - 6
82mm Mortars - 2
HMG - 4
LMG - 11
US Bazookas - 2
Most rifles Japanese make - Model 38.
Some US M-1 Rifles.
Six hand grenades to ea soldier.
120mm Mortars - 2 to each Regt.
Telephones and wireless transmitters used down to Bn level. Transmitter run by batteries. Communication to companies by runners.
10 horses used by 591st Regt. Many previously killed by air attack.
Supplies often carried by troops. No trucks observed.
f. Supply; Route of Supply:
Troops had not received any additional food supply since arriving in present area. Food is a serious problem. Troops are eating soybeans most of the time. Only ammo supply they had were two boxes of hand grenades.
82mm Mortars had 10 rd each.
60mm Mortars had 3 rd each.
HMG - 1000 rd each.
LMG - 700 rd each.
70 rd to each rifleman.
g. Other Units:
Before arriving at present area, heard from Bn CO that the 37th and 38th Armies have gone north near the MANCHURIAN border to await reinforcements.
h. Morale:
Low. Many troops are known to have deserted, mostly to the North.
i. Most Effective Weapons:
Artillery, tanks and aircraft are most effective. Most casualties caused by air attacks.
For the AC of S, G-2:
UYEDA
