ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 4087 23 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (2 DIV LDI 0254) 5 March 1951
| NAME: | CHE, Je Ho (21) Pvt |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| UNIT: | 1st Div, 14th Regt, 3d Bn, 7th Co, 4th Plat, 1st Sqd |
| DATE AND PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 040800 Mar 51 at 2km NE of UNGYO-RI (DS4042) |
| CAPTURED BY: | 2d Bn, 9th Inf |
| INTERROGATED BY: | Sgt KITSU |
Cooperative but seemed a little confused in answering questions. Information seems reliable, except for place names and locations of units.
040600 Mar 51, PW and 3 others deserted intending to surrender to UN Forces, which they did at 0800 of same day. PW did not like hardships suffered while with NKA.
a. Chronology:
27 Feb 51, 1st Div departed WONSAN (NK) and moved south with intention of attacking the HOENGSONG-WONJU axis and then setting up defensive positions.
1st Div consisted of 14th (1st (?)), 2d, and 3d Regt. 14th Regt was deployed on a hill 28 km S of WONGOL (DS5347) to set up defensive positions there. 14th Regt arrived at its destination (Hill 488 (?)) 26 Feb 51 but was attacked by UN Forces and forced to retreat northward. Observed a rear guard with a sign, directing retreating troops to go to WONGOL (DS5347) where Regt was to regroup and reorganize.
After the men assembled, the regt moved out and went to PANNARU-KOL (32 km N of WONGOL) 27 Feb 51. 1 Mar 51, 3d Bn went to a hill in vic 6 km N of UNGYO-NI (DS4042) to set up defensive positions. One plat dug in on top of hill facing the UN Forces and the rest of the bn dug foxholes on the reverse slope of the hill. Only officers’ foxholes were camouflaged. 3 Mar 51, 7th Co descended the hill to attack UN troops, and PW took this opportunity to desert. 7th Co was annihilated.
b. Strength:
Strength of 1st Bn was estimated to be 500. There were 100 men in each company, and 35 men in each plat.
c. Weapons:
Weapons on 1st Bn: 2 mortars (no ammo), 12 HMG (1500 rd ea), 9 LMG ea Co (1000 rd ea), 6 antitank rifles and 6 PPSH SMG ea plat (300 rd ea). All others armed with Russian rifles (100 rd ea).
d. 4th Phase Offensive:
27 Jan 51, Co 1st Bn told his men they were going to S KOREA to start the 4th Phase Offensive. Upon arriving in S KOREA, Bn CO told them 25 Feb 51 4th Phase Operation was not an offensive, but preparation for the offensive, such as setting up defensive positions. Stated 5th Phase Operation was to be the general offensive, supported by tanks and planes, and that armored units had already crossed the YALU River into KOREA and 5,000,000 more CCF Troops were on the way to help in the 5th Phase Offensive.
e. Troop Movement:
27 Feb 51, observed about 1500 NKA troops, moving northward in vic of WONGOL.
f. Clothing:
All troops wore winter uniforms.
g. Disease:
5 Jan 51, 15 men were sick in 1st Bn, and PW heard from medical officer they had typhoid. Symptoms: High fever and headache.
h. Food:
Insufficient. Depended chiefly on corn.
i. Morale:
Low, because they were constantly bombarded by UN aircraft and artillery.
For the AC of S, G-2:
OJI
