ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 4112 22 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (163-MISDI-0321) 6 March 1951
| PW NAME: | TU Chi Chang (杜起昌) |
| PW NO: | 1st M-P-4695 |
| RANK: | Soldier |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| EDUCATION: | None |
| UNIT: | CCF, 66th Corps, 196th Div, 586th Regt, 2d Bn, 6th Co, 1st Plat |
| DATE AND PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 5 Mar 51, DS0754H |
| CAPTURING UNIT: | 2d Bn, 7th Marines. |
| INTERROGATOR: | Pfc MATSUSHITA |
5 Mar 51, PW went down into a nearby village to procure food. While in village, he felt sleepy and dozed off. When he awoke, it was getting dark so he hurried back to his hill. US Marines were already on this hill and gave him a surprise homecoming.
Cooperative, but tactical information limited.
a. Mission:
Nov 50, mission upon entering KOREA was to fight anticommunism. Feb 51, mission of 66th Corps was to cross 38th Parallel to prevent UN troops from entering North KOREA for second time. 1 Mar 51, 586th Regt was to defend vicinity of DS0754H.
b. Strength of Unit:
(1) Original Strength: Nov 50
586th Regt - 700 men
2d Bn - 300
6th Co - 120
1st Plat - 30
Note: Before entering KOREA many farmers were given short notice of induction. PW claimed they were called on such short notice that they could not meet full strength in time.
(2) Present Strength: As of 1 Mar 51
586th Regt - 500
2d Bn - none (deactivated) 1 Mar 51
6th Co - 100 (deactivated) 1 Mar 51
Because so many troops were lost by air attacks, frostbite, and fire fights, 586th Regt deactivated its original Bn and Co. 1 Mar 51, 1st, 2d, 3d Co were reorganized from remaining troops and attached directly to 586th Regt. From 1 Mar 51, PW was put into 2d Co 586th Regt.
586th Regt Code Name: “ERH SHIHI PU” (#21 Unit).
c. Chronology:
Nov 50 - Arrived ANTUNG, MANCHURIA then went to CHORISAN, North KOREA.
Early Dec 50 - Arrived TAECHON, North KOREA, stayed here 10 days. 196th Div left for south.
5 Jan 51 - 586th Regt fought with ROK Unit at 38th Parallel.
10 Jan 51 - Regt returned to vicinity of HWACHON, North KOREA. Stated in mountains 20 days to wait for further reinforcement. Reinforcement did not arrive, thus 700 men left HWACHON and crossed 38th Parallel 2 Feb 51.
24 Feb 51 - Arrived vicinity of HOENGSONG. Headed E toward PYONGCHANG (DS4735) for 20 km then backtracked toward HOENGSONG.
3 Mar 51 - Arrived HOENGSONG Area and newly organized 2d Co took defensive position of DS7554H.
3 Mar 51 - PW went to procure food in a small village to the E. Upon returning he found that his unit had departed and American soldiers were swarming on the hill. PW captured.
d. Weapons and Equipment: As of 5 March 1951.
2d Co 586th Regt: 82mm Mortars - 3
60mm Mortars - 1
HMG - 2
LMG - 3
586th Regt: 5 carts and 10 horses
3/4 ton truck - 1
2½ ton truck - 2
Every soldier had: M1 rifles, carbines, with approximately 100 rd.
e. Status of Supply: Route of Supply:
Ammo - Only what they were issued in CHINA; no resupply.
Food - Found in villages; most critical item at present.
Clothing - Getting less troublesome because of warmer days.
Shelter - Mostly in mountains.
f. Other Units: As of 5 March 1951
1st and 3d Co were flanking PW 2d Co.
g. Morale:
50% had hopes of victory. FW believes safe conduct leaflets may influence the literate but useless to majority because they cannot road. Officers are strict about letting troops pick up leaflets.
h. UN Weapons:
Arty barrage feared the most, followed by air attacks.
i. Tactics:
When sleeping, shelter is taken on reverse side of slope half way up the mountain, Bugle is blown to give esprit do corps to charging men.
For the AC of 3, G-2:
UYED
