ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 4079 22 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (2 DIV LDI – 0255) 5 March 1951
| NAME: | HO, Chong Hwan (22) Pvt |
| DUTY: | Litter Bearer |
| UNIT: | V Corps Replacement Regt |
| DATE & PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 041200 Mar 51 at 2d Bn Hq (1 km NE of UNGYO-RI (DS4043) |
| CAPTURED BY: | 2d Bn, 23d Inf |
| INTERROGATOR: | PFC AKASHI |
Cooperative. Information seems fairly reliable.
Enroute to evacuating wounded of 12th NK Div at HAANHUNG-NI (DS2540), PW and 1 other deserted their unit 1 Mar 51 and voluntarily surrendered to troops of 2d Bn, 23d Inf at DS 4043, 4 Mar 51.
a. Chronology:
Captured by CCF troops 18 Nov 50 and turned over to 6th NK Div 26 Dec 50. 26 Jan 51, reassigned to V Corps Hq, Repl Regt, for further indoctrination. Surrendered to UN Forces 4 Mar 51.
V Corps Hq arrived KAPCHON-NI (DS275578) 15 Feb 51 with estimated strength of 800 officers and men. Majority of troops were food, ammo and litter bearers. Others were staff officers, office personnel, or men with technical skill such as doctors, radio operators, and truck drivers.
b. Artillery:
19 Feb 51, 200 men who had previous arty training were called back from the div to take a refresher arty training course so they could train troops to operate field arty pieces which had arrived in HONGCHON from RUSSIA. Heard from Political training officer tanks, arty pieces, anti-tank guns, and mortars had arrived in HONGCHON. Those weapons were hid in holes on the shady side of mountains and camouflaged with branches.
c. 4th Phase Offensive:
25 Feb 51 all ROK PW of the Repl Regt were assembled and given a briefing by the Political Sec Chief (Col): “The 3d Phase of this war has been successfully completed. We are now preparing for the 4th Phase Offensive which will be the last big push for ultimate victory over the UN Forces. While we prepare for this big offensive, the CCF and elements of NKA Div will hold the UN Forces in check. This is called the inter-phase 3d and 4th bottle or period of rest. During this inter-phase we will receive tanks, airplanes, and arty from RUSSIA. In order to use this equipment to the utmost advantage, we will take time to train new men and give them the political training they lack. This 4th Phase Offensive will not start until the combined forces of the NKA and CCF push the enemy back as far as TAEJON. When this is accomplished, we will take our mechanized equipment out of hiding and build up a strong line using tanks and arty. Then, we will go into our long awaited 4th Phase Offensive. This will be our last push. Everything we have will be utilized. At this time, we must have your cooperation. You, being former ROK troop, do not understand why we are fighting. This is the reason we are giving you political training concerning our intentions, hoping that you will realize what is right and what is wrong.”
d. Quarters:
Troops of V Corps Hq lived in houses built in the mt S of KAPCHONG. About 20-30 men in each house.
e. Strength:
Strength of Repl Regt was 90 men. 70 were captured ROK troop and 20 were NKA Cadre.
f. Surrender:
1 Mar 51 PW and 60 others were ordered to go to HAANHUNG-NI (DS2540) to pick up wounded of the 12th Div, but enroute PW and 1 other acted sick and got permission to stay behind in a house in a village. Stayed one night and then travelled E in direction of the UN Forces with intention of surrendering. 4 Mar 51 voluntarily surrendered to 23d Regt at DS 4043.
g. Weapons:
V Corps Hq: 3 antitank rifles, no other heavy weapons observed. All troops, except captured ROK of Repl Regt had rifles and 60-80 rd each.
h. Clothing:
Winter uniform
i. Food:
Insufficient. Rice, beans, and corn confiscated from villages.
j. Medical:
Numerous cases of flu (headache, cold, high fever).
k. Physical Condition:
Fairly good.
For the AC of S, G-2:
OJI
