ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 4148 22 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (2 DIV LDI 0264) 8 March 1951
| NAME: | PAK, Kai In |
| AGE: | 38 |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| DUTY: | Wagon Driver (Led an ox pulling a wagon) |
| UNIT: | NKA 12th Div, 2d Regt, 2d Bn, Supply Plat. |
| DATE & PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 080800 Mar 51 2 km S of HAMGOGAE (DS2549) |
| CAPTURED BY: | 1st Bn, 9th Regt |
| INTERROGATOR: | Pfc AKASHI |
PW was a former resident of S KOREA forced into the NKA. He always intended escape and never did like the communist ways. Cooperative and willingly answered all questions. It appears that he as sincere in trying to help. Information seems reliable.
PW and one other carrying a safe conduct pass deserted their unit DS258489 and voluntarily surrendered to the UN Forces in vic of DS260470.
a. Chronology:
12th Div arrived in vic W of HAMGOGAE (DS250495) o/a 1 Mar 51 and started to send out patrols to area of DS255475. Figuring it was safe the 1st, d2 and 3d Regt of the 12th Div moved into area DS255475 4 Mar 51 and deployed itself on high grounds in that area. 1st Regt was on hills DS255475; the 3d Regt, on hills DS260469 and the 2d Regt in valley between the 1st and 3d Regt at DS255462.
2d Bn had an estimated 500 men with 120-130 men to each Co. 80 of the 500 men were non-combat troops and did not bear arms.
7 Mar 51 the 1st, 2d and 3d Regt were forced to retreat because of heavy UN attack. 1st Regt, redeployed itself on hill vic of HAMGOHAE DS240495. 2d Regt south of HAMGOGAE at DS259488 and 3d Regt on hill NW of road junction at DS258489. Observed Regt dug-in in foxholes. These foxholes were dug 2-3 days previous to their retreat. PW knew that the 3 Regt of the 12th Div were deployed on these hills because during escape he was challenged by guards of these Regt.
b. Disposition:
Heard from Plat Ldr 6 Mar 51 that the 6th Div was situated on the east flank. Heard from the political officer, CCF forces ware on the rest flank.
c. Bn Staff:
In the 2d Bn there were numerous soldiers who were raised in CHINA and spoke Chinese fluently. Majority of the Bn staff were Chinese-speaking Koreans. On the whole they held key positions within the Bn.
d. Weapons:
The average weapons of each Co were as follows: 2-3 LMG - 1000 rd each. 2x60mm mortars - total 10 rd. Troops had Russian rifles and prior to recent battle each man had 4-500 rd but at the present each have about 100-150 rd. Each man has 3-2 hand grenades.
e. Land Mines:
4 Mar 51 heard from a soldier (mine layer) that land mines were laid between CHUNGGUM-NI (DS205292) and road junction (DS261483). These mines were in wooden boxes l’xl’x6” and laid in diamond shape on roads in width of a motor vehicle. Same person also said that regt mine teams laid 105mm Arty shells along the same road between CHUNGGUM-MI (DS205455) & road junction (DS261483). Because of the recent snow these mines cannot be detected easily.
f. Other Units:
20 days ago heard from an officer that 2 full NKA div were being sent from CHINA fully equipped.
g. Shelters:
Foxholes are dug by the troops during combat with the UN Forces. In case of an air attack troops hide in camouflaged, shelter dug usually on reverse slope of hill: These shelters are big enough for a sqd and covered over with dirt and camouflaged with branches.
h. Clothing:
All issued cotton padded winter uniform.
i. Food:
Insufficient; confiscated food from villages.
j. Physical Condition:
Not healthy, because of lack of food: Troops are either old or too young.
k. Contagious Disease:
None among troops. All in 2d Bn given immunization 12 days ago (stung for only few minutes).
l. Morale:
Low, because majority of troops are former resident of S KOREA.
For the AC of S, G-2:
OJI
