ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3953 12 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (163-MISDI-0308) 3 March 1951
(Atchd 1st Mar Div)
| PW NAME: | YANG Lin Chan (楊林江) |
| PW NO: | 1st M-P-4685 |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| UNIT: | 66th Army, 197th Div, 591st Regt, 3d Bn, 8th Co, 1st Plat, 3d Sqd |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | DS 0950, NW of Hill 303 |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 021400 Mar 51 |
| CAPTURING UNIT: | 1st Marines |
| INTERROGATOR: | PFC KUME |
2 Mar 51, 1st plat acting as forward observer sighted UN troops advancing from Hill 303 (DS 0950). Surrounded and captured by Marines while he was on his way back to report situation to Plat Leader, then with 8th Co located some 300 yards NW of Hill 303. Limited tactical information. Not recommended for further interrogation.
a. Mission: 2 Mar 51, primary objective of 3d Bn, 591st Regt, 197th Div was to attack and take Hill 303 (DS 0950) which UN troops occupied. Secondary mission was to protect rear elements by preventing UN troops and supplies from crossing bridge (DS 1049) on highway leading from HOENGSONG (DS 104) NW.
b. Strength of Unit:
(1) Original Strength:
3d Sqd - 6
1st Plat - 26
8th Co - 130
(2) Present Strength: 2 Mar 51
3d Sqd - 3
1st Plat - 13
8th Co - approx 90
Code Names: 3d Bn - “SAN TA TUI” (meaning 3d Bn)
591st Regt - “ER LIU PU” (meaning unit 26)
c. Chronology:
20 Mar 46 - Entered CNA.
O/a 7 Jul 49 - Conscripted into CCF at TIENGSING (CHINA).
O/a 10 Nov 50 - 591st Regt entered KOREA by train, then marched south on foot through Central KOREA. Fought 3 successful battle against ROK units in Central KOREA, North of 38th Parallel. Marching limited to nights, in columns, sometimes taking main highway, other times through mountain trails.
1 Jan 51 - First major offensive launched by CCF (strength; 2 Armies) across 38th Parallel. 197th div set drive East then South, probably joining other elements in Central KOREA.
4 Jan 51 - 66th Army retreated N of 38th Parallel after 20 mile drive into S KOREA. Unit reorganized in North KOREA approximately 15 days. Other CCF elements remained below 38th Parallel.
O/a 20 Jan 51 - 66th Army set second drive across 38th Parallel. 3d Bn confronted no resistance until date captured, (2 Mar 51). Continued night marching; slept in mountains in camouflaged foxholes. Soldiers always carried five days ration which were confiscated from villagers. There were times when 3d Bn camped at same place for two or three days. During march, 1st, 2d and 3d Bn took turns daily in being the leading elements.
2 Mar 51 - 2d and 3d Bn of 591st Regt dug in on numerous hills with approximately platoon strength on each hill in vicinity DS 0950. Presumes 591st Regt Hq N of these elements. 1400 hours captured by 1st Marines at (DS 0950) after 1st platoon forward observation post was surrounded.
d. Personalities:
HO ■hi Po.1st Plat Ldr (河吉波)
e. Weapons and Equipment: 8th Co had (2 Mar 51)
60mm Mortars - 4
LMG - 3
Anti-tank rifles - 2
Others carried US M-1 rifles and Japanese rifles with 100 rd per man.
f. Status of Supply; Route of Supply:
Received 40 rd each of rifle ammo o/a 15 Feb 51. No further distribution since no fire fight with UN troops. Corps men carried headache pills. CCF took shelter in mountains (in foxholes). Has never slept in villages.
g. Foreign Elements: 4th Field Army an Independent Unit; well trained; composed of many Manchurians.
h. Morale: Complaints among soldiers increasing due to lack of food and shortage of clothing.
i. Most Feared Weapons: Feared artillery barrage and air attacks.
j. Tactics: CCF are very successful in their envelopment tactics used upon UN Forces. Attacks were made at nights.
For the AC of S, G-2:
UYEDA
