ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 4144 22 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (521 MISDI 0533) 11 March 1951
| PW NAME: | LIM, Hyon Kak |
| AGE: | 21 |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| DUTY: | Litter Bearer |
| UNIT: | 6th Div, Training Bn, 2d Co, 1st Plat, 2d Sqd (NKA) |
| DATES & PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 14 Feb 51, 8 Mar 51, ANHUNG MYON |
| CAPTURING UNIT: | 9th RCT |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (6 yr) |
131200 Feb 51, ROK 27th Regt (1,200men) was ambushed during movement near SINYANG NI (DS 1040) by an estimated enemy battalion (600men); 27th Regt was disorganized, and 200 ROK (including PW) were captured.
242300 Feb 51, while enroute to frontlines to evacuate wounded NK soldiers, PW slipped out of column and hid in nearby house. Column consisted of 40 ROK PW as litter-bearers, and 4 NK guards as squad leaders. Each sqd ldr led 10 PW as in single column with 5m intervals. 10 litters were carried. After escaping, PW, with another who escaped, hid in a village 8 days. Made way to UN lines and surrendered to 9th US RCT 8 Mar 51 at ANHUNG MYON.
All he thought about during captivity by NK was escape. Strongly resents their ways and repeatedly referred to them as morally ignorant people. Cooperative and replied with alertness.
Length of Service: 34 mo in ROK Army; 15 days (13 Feb - 28 Feb) NKA
Physical Condition: Good
Reliability: Good
a. Assignment:
Upon capture by the NK, PW were routed to Training Bn, 6th Div. Here were approx. 200 ROK PW assigned to squads, platoons end companies in the same manner as regular NK units but with regular NK sqd ldr and officers serving as leaders of sqd, plat, etc.
PW was assigned to 2d Co, 1st Plat, 2d Sqd.
b. Indoctrination:
Since Training Bn was widely dispersed by sqd, daily activities of each component differed greatly. Members were primarily subjected to indoctrination and forced to aid the NK troops by serving under them as litter bearers from battalion to regiment CP area. Lectures by the company CO were conducted on the average of once every 5 days, with about 5 hours spent on each occasion in company groups. Company CO (Sr Lt) tirelessly stressed the importance of present battle situations, what NK is up against, the NK cause, and encouraged them to change their (PW) political views and fight for their mothers, their country. His propaganda was greatly exaggerated: “Most NK soldiers are volunteers, fighting here for this worthy cause!”
“Former ROK with new outlook on life are especially doing magnificently on the battlefield today.”
During lecture periods, the company CO attempted to make friends with the PW, being extremely considerate and sympathetic co as to win the confidence of each. He asked simple questions like “Where is your home?”, “Is your home nice?”, “Are you married?” and occasionally questions like, “Do you think the UN Forces will win?”. He tried hard to make these periods friendly critique sessions, but most PW were apathetic with one thing in mind - when and how they are going to escape. Platoon and squad leaders served more-or-less as guards and supervisors of PW and had nothing to do with indoctrination of PW.
c. Guards:
Atrocities were not committed by NK troops or guards against UN PW. Guards were empowered only with authority to supervise. PW were fed and treated as any ordinary NK troops.
d. Escapees:
On the average, there were 2 to 3 escapees (PW) daily. Company CO often said they had been transferred to other units as regulars, to cover the truth.
For the AC of S, G-2:
MURANAKA
