ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 3977 13 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS MIDI 0301) 21 February 1951
| NAME: | CHOU Tung Ya (■東亞) |
| AGE: | 27 |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| DUTY: | Stretcher Bearer |
| UNIT: | 39th Army (Code Name: 55 Unit), 115th Div (Code Name: 15 Section), Stretcher Bn (Code Name: CH’U Tui Pu (區隊部), 4th Co, 3d Plat, 10th Sqd |
| NATIONALITY: | Chinese |
| PLACE AND DATE OF CAPTURE: | Captured 181900 Feb 51 at CS892430 by 6th ROK Div |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School 1 yr |
Cooperative during interrogation and willingly gave information. Information concerning MANCHURIA seems reliable. Not recommended for further interrogation.
a. Chronology:
Entered KOREA by crossing the YALU River on foot late Oct 50 at MANPOJIN. Other unit of 39th Army entered KOREA via ANTUNG and SINUIJU. After about one week of marching southward arrived UNSAN (YE3928) where they stayed about 14 days. Heard from political officer that all units of the 39th Army assembled in the UNSAN area. Stretcher unit with the 39th Army HQ, proceeded southward behind the 39th Army divisions, which pushed UN Forces before them. O/a 14 Jan 51, stretcher Bn, with the Army Hq, crossed the 38th parallel and arrived MUNSAN (CS0692), via PYONGYANG. Here they stayed for about 20 days.
During the above period 3 companies of the stretcher Bn were assigned to the 115th, 116th and 117th Div: PW 1st Co was reassigned to the 115th Div Stretcher Bn and was designated as the 4th Co of that Bn. 061800 Feb 51 the 115th Div proceeded south on the main road passing through SEOUL. Then marched in an easterly direction along the north bank of the HAN River and crossed a river (believed to be PUKHAN) over a wooden bridge, approx location (CS515567). Div proceeded further eastward through unknown mountain and roads, arriving at village S of YANGDONGMYON (CS877448) 162000 Feb 51. Div engaged UN Forces during the period 142200 hrs - 160300 hrs Feb 51 and was forced to withdraw. At this time PW deserted and stayed in a village (CS892430) for two nights and was captured by the 6th ROK Div.
b. Organization and Strength:
39th Army composed of 115th, 116th, 117th Div, a supply unit and a security Bn. 115th Div composed of 33d, 34th, 35th Regts (known to PW by road signs only). A stretcher Bn and security Co. Div original strength about 25,000 men was decreased to about half by continuous air attacks. Stretcher Bn (2-3 doctors) composed of 4 companies with 3 plat each. Each Plat composed of 4 sqd. Original strength of the Bn was 600 men; current strength approx 300 men.
c. Deployment of PW Own Unit:
Prior to withdrawal, the stretcher Bn Co and the medical section were in a tunnel at (CS861423). Aid station was in another tunnel vicinity of (CS847420). Heard from a villager where he was captured that in the above tunnels headed northward to YANGDONG MYON.
d. Deployment of Other Units:
16 Feb 51, at tunnel (CS861423) heard from a wounded soldier that the 40th Army was fighting with them in the near-by area. 1 Jan 51 heard from political officer that the 38th, 39th, 40th, 42d, 50th and 5 other armies (2 or 3 of these armies are believed to be from the 3d Field Army) will cross the 38th parallel during night of 1 Jan 51.
e. Status of Arms, Ammo, Supply and Equipment:
PW Bn had the following:
| Type | Original Amount | Present Amount | Ammo |
| US Rifles (M 1903) | 80 | 50 | 50 rd ea |
| US SMG M-3 | 80 | 50 | 70 rd ea |
| Stretchers | 150 | 60 |
f. Status of Food and Clothing:
Food consumed by troops was confiscated from villagers. Troops were usually fed twice a day with rice and millet.
O/a 30 Jan 50, at MUNSAN troops of the 39th Army received the following items:
Pork
Seaweed
Dried fish
Wool socks 1 pr per man
Cotton trouser 1 pr per man
Heard from Co CO that the above items were transported from MANCHRIA, by train to P’YONGYANG, and thereafter by trucks.
g. Mission and Intention:
PW Co CO stated that the original mission of the 39th Army was to attack TAEJON after being resupplied with food, clothing, ammo, new weapons, and personnel. Heard that they would receive air support. Due to heavy UN pressure on the 38th, 50th CCF Armies and NKA, the 39th Army was forced to change its original plan to penetrating the UN rear through the UN Forces’ right flank.
h. Personalities:
LIN Piao (林■), CG 4th Field Army
HWONG Do Hwai (■德懷), Deputy Chief of CCF in KOREA
i. Physical Condition of Troops:
Majority of the troops in the stretcher Bn were in good physical condition. Late in Nov 50 at KUNUIRI troops of the Bn received an inoculation.
j. Information on Armor, Eng, Arty & Other Special or Technical Info:
In late Oct 50, while heading toward KOREA observed about 15 planes (believed to be Russian made jet fighters) flying over LYOYANG (遼陽) and ANSAN (■山) air bases which were repaired recently. Above planes were believed to be operated by Russian pilots. Heard from political officer that MUKDEN and HARBIN air bases were under repair.
k. Flight Training:
Heard from an employee at LYOYANG air base that there were many Russian pilots at all air bases in MANCHURIA. Chinese pilots needed more training and the Russians were giving them instructions.
l. Foreign Troops:
Around Sep 50 at LYOYANG observed 10 trucks with about 10-20 unarmed Russian soldiers on each truck. In early Oct 50, heard from others that there was a Russian military Camp located at PEIDAING (平大仁) which was approx 4 Km N of LYOYANG.
m. Psychological Warfare:
PW picked up surrender leaflets, once at UNSAN and twice at place near (CS861423). Leaflets were picked up by troops, they did not however, express their feeling or knowledge about the leaflets for fear of being caught by their superiors.
n. UN PW:
Nov 50, at UNSAN observed about 100 US PW (about 50% negro) who were captured by the 39th Army at UNSAN. These prisoners were sent north.
o. Road signs:
Road signs of the Regt of the 115th Div were as follows:
(IN: Believed to be 343d, 344th, 345th Regt, in that order)
For the AC of S, G-2:
YAMADA
