ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3969 12 March 1951
The following information was obtained from recovered American military personnel, who were interrogated upon arrival in JAPAN from KOREA by Central Interrogation Center, TIS. The interrogation was conducted at Camp Drake by Capt Shappell.
On 25 Nov 50, approximately 20 miles South of the YALU, exact vicinity unknown, Co K of the 9th Inf was engaging Chinese forces and subject was blown from his foxhole by a mortar round. When he regained consciousness he found himself a prisoner and stripped of all his clothes except pants, shirt and shoes. He was immediately questioned concerning the location of Div Headquarters. Since the subject had no idea where he was, he could not answer and was beaten about the head and body by rifle butts.
That evening he was taken to a village approximately three miles away and questioned concerning his Division’s location, length of service, age, date of arrival in Korea and enlisted status.
He was then searched and had his dog tags and all personal possessions taken including his wallet on which was printed his home address. The interrogators numbered five or six, and source received the impression that they were ordinary soldiers and not officers. After being searched, source was told that he should be back home in school and not in Korea fighting since it was none of his business. He was then asked if he would spread Communism in the US Army if he were released and he, hoping to be released, answered, “YES”. He was then asked if he would swear to spread Communism and when he said he would, was told to sign his name on a blank sheet of paper. Source is positive that the paper was blank. This concluded the interrogation and he was held in this village for two days being fed three meals daily.
On the evening of 27 Nov 50, source was escorted to high ground in the front line of the Chinese, had the American lines pointed out and was told to go. As he began walking, one of the guards suddenly handed him a carbine minds the trigger housing group, stuck the disassembled housing group and 27 rounds of ammunition in source’s pocket and waved him on.
Subject walked continuously, stopping only for short rest periods until 29 Nov 50, when he walked into the lines of either K or L Co of the 25th Div. No Chinese were encountered during his walk back to American lines.
Source was taken to the 4th Field Hospital for one week’s observation, did not report that he had been captured and was returned to duty. His company commander, after five days, ordered him back to the hospital and instructed him to report the fact that he had been a prisoner and source was then sent to Japan.
Mixed elements of the 2nd Div encountered Chinese road blocks on 12 Feb 51 approximately 5 miles N of HOENGSONG and in the ensuing fire fights, both subjects were wounded and captured. BENNETT was first captured and was immediately searched and dog tags, ring, watch and wallet taken. He was asked his name and organization which was written down. He was then taken further into the mountains to an area judged to be a prisoner collecting point. Soldiers from the 187th Airborne, 82nd AAA, 38th Inf Regt as well as 503rd men were seen here. The following day, MOORE was brought to this point and both subjects were constantly together until their release.
All the Americans were held at this point for two or three days, with new American prisoners being brought in until the group numbered approximately 200 men, mostly wounded.
On the third day, a Chinese officer believed to be a Captain, addressed the group and told them that they had been “liberated” by the Chinese People’s Army. He stated that if any personal effects had been taken, he would try to recover them. (This was never done). Since there was no food or medicine, according to the captain, it would be necessary to move the group North to obtain these supplies. All the wounded capable of walking were segregated and marched North. This was done at night and the source could only guess that about 150 were in this group.
The next day about 50 Americans were left unguarded while Chinese troops were in the area searching for more prisoners. The Americans decided to move out and see what would happen. The group actually made its way about 5 miles South before it was stopped by other Chinese troops. They were then put into a schoolhouse, again with no posted guards but with Chinese dug in on the surrounding hills. It was here that BENNETT’s snow pacs and sweater were taken. However, the Americans were fed for the first time since they were captured. After they ate, an officer visited them and told them they would be freed the next day. However, he added, since there were no jobs in the United States, they would do better if they remained where they were. They would be given food and medical treatment and when they were able, they would be given good jobs. Both subjects felt that they were being asked to join the Chinese Army.
The group stayed in two houses in this vicinity until the 1st Marines liberated them on 23 Feb 51. When the Marines arrived, there were only four Americans left since the others had slipped away in groups of three to eleven men each. The four remaining were both subjects, and Pfc CARTER and NIETO of the 38th Inf.
For the CO, TIS:
WEELDREYER
