ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 4109 22 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (163 - MISDI - 0318) 5 March 1951
(Atchd 1st Mar Div)
| NAME: | Lee Ching Wang (李淸王) |
| PW NO: | 1st M-P-4679 |
| RANK: | Soldier |
| DUTY: | Stretcher Bearer (for emergency field hospital) |
| UNIT: | CCF 66th Corps, 196th Div, 588th Regt Hq |
| DATE AND PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 4 March 51, DS0549 |
| CAPTURING UNIT: | 1st Bn, 7th Marines |
| INTERROGATOR: | PFC KUME |
030700 Mar 51, hundreds of surrender leaflets were dropped by UN Planes, vicinity KUMDAE RI (DS 0349). PW kept one, and on same day, while standing guard on Hill 481 (DS 0449) deserted his unit.
Spent one night in a deserted house. 040800 Mar 51, voluntarily surrendered to 7th Marines. Cooperative, but limited tactical information. Not recommended for further interrogation.
a. Mission:
5S8th Regt aligned E of river (DS 0349) from W to E in order of 3d, 2d and 1st Bn respectively. Men were ordered to defend post to last man, never to retreat or surrender. The regt having sustained heavy casualties previously, service men from medics, mess, military advisor and propaganda companies took up front line defensive position.
b. Strength of Unit:
(1) Original Strength:
588th Regt - approximately 900
1st Bn - approximately 400
(2) Present Strength (4 Mar 51)
538th Regt - approximately 300
1st Bn - approximately 130
1st Co - approximately 50
Code Names: 588th Regt - 23 unit
1st Bn - "ER TA TUI" (1st Bn)
c. Chronology:
Sep 48 - Enlisted in CNA.
Apr 49 - Captured by CCF, conscripted into 588th Regt.
Nov 50 - Entered KOBEA with 66th Corps. Marching limited to nights through mountains. PW assumes approximately 100 CCF KIA in 1st Bn since Nov 50 to date, captured (4 Mar 51). The dead were buried, slightly wounded ones were cared for in NK hospitals. The severely wounded were sent back CHINA.
2 Mar 51 - Deserted unit while on guard at Hill 481 (DS 0449). Slept in deserted house.
4 Mar 51 - Surrendered to 7th Marines.
d. Personalities:
Former 588th Regt CO, (KIA), CHAO (fnu) (趙)
e. Weapons and Equipment: (4 Mar 51)
6 x 82mm Mortars in HMG Co.
3 x in HMG Co.
4 x 60mm mortars in Rifle Co.
6 x LMG in Rifle Co.
Each man possessed Japanese Type 38 rifles, M-1 rifle, or carbine as individual weapon, with 100 rd each.
4 to 5 grenades per man.
588th Regt Hq also equipped with wireless transmitter and telephone.
Infantry co as well as other companies, had 1 field telephone each
20 horsey and 6 carts were attached to 5SSth Regt.
196th Div had number of vehicles. (Driven by UN PW.)
f. Status of Supply; Route of Supply:
Ammo - was reissued several times, approx 30 rd per man.
Food - Co and lower levels obtained food from villages.
Medical - Regt Hq had limited amount of medicine. Field hospital was attached to 66th Corps.
Clothing - wore what they had in CHINA.
Shelter - slept in mountains.
g. Morale:
High, but many died as result. Feared air attacks and artillery barrage.
Majority of CCF fear surrendering. CCF treats UN PW, especially Americans, well. NK do not.
For the AC of S, G-2:
UYEDA
