ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 4186 23 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (2 DIV LDI 0273) 9 March 1951
| PW NAME: | LYU Su Yuin |
| AGE: | 33 |
| RANK: | 2d Lt |
| DUTY: | Plat Ldr |
| UNIT: | 66th Army, 196th Div, 586th Regt (23d Unit), 2d Bn, 5th Co, Mortar plat |
| DATE & PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 9 Mar 51 at DS 075580 |
| CAPTURED BY: | 503d FA Bn |
| INTERROGATOR: | Pfc Akashi |
PW at the beginning of interrogation was confused as to his unit’s identification but, after emphasizing his position as an officer and willingly surrendering to us, he gave information freely and answered intelligently. Information fairly reliable.
PW voluntarily surrendered with “Safe Conduct Pass” in his possession.
Being in the Nationalist Army prior to capture by the CCF PW always had intentions of deserting his unit and rejoining his original outfit. Afraid of being killed by the UN Forces during battles he waited for a change to desert when his unit was at rest. 9 Mar 51 PW deserted his unit and surrendered to US troops.
a. Organization, Strength and Disposition:
40th & 42d Armies were in village 3 km NW of DS 075635, 196th Div Hq was in vic of DS 075635, as of 7 Mar 51. 197th & 198th Div of the CCF 66th Army was km NW of Div Hq. 580th Regt was at Ds 6863. 5th Co of the 2d Bn, 586th Regt was attached with the 588th Regt and deployed at DS 0860.
588th Regt held high grounds NE of DS 0760 and the 587th Regt WSW of it. 27th Unit (Regt) was on the west flank in the approx area of DS 020613. Location of the 66th Army Hq was unk but believed to be with the 42d & 40th Army Hq in the area of DS 0666.
196th Div strength 2,000 men, 586th Regt strength 300 men, 587th Regt strength 300 men, 588th Regt strength 500 men, 2d Bn of the 586th Regt strength 100 men, 5th Co, 2d Bn, 586th Regt strength 40 men and the mortar plat strength of 20 men.
b. Mission of Unit:
Mission of the 196th Div was to establish a defense line 10 km in width centered at ODM-SAN (DS 051619) running from NE to SW on the southern slope of mt range. It was ordered to wait for the UN Forces to come up to this defense line then hit & scatter UN units, disrupt communication, and hold this line at all cost. To give the 42d & 40th Armies ample time to regroup and prepare to start an offensive. 197th & 198th Div were in the rear preparing to launch an attack. The west flank was covered by a Bn of the 27th Unit.
c. Tactical Information:
After the 196th Div established their defense line by deploying small Plat size units on commanding terrains, they were attacked by the UN Forces 8 Mar 51 and forced to retreat taking a deploying action against the UN Forces. Strength of the 586th Regt was reduced to about 100 men and they were ordered to withdraw to a point 1 km south of 196th Div Hq. 5th Co was then attached to the 588th Regt located on the east flank of the 586th Regt. 588th Regt & the 587th Regt were to be sacrificed to defend line until the 40th & 42d Armies completed their preparation for their offense.
In the meantime the 197th & 198th Div were establishing defense positions on hills north of 196th Div Hq and also preparing to launch an attack.
d. Reinforcement & Replacement:
No replacements were received by the units but it was promised that the 40th & 42d Armies were going to launch their offensive in the very near future.
e. Weapons:
588th Regt 4x82mm mortars
Each Bn 2 HMG each
Each Co 1-2x60mm Mortars each
Heard from Regt C/S that 40 Arty pieces have already been received and will be brought out when the big push starts.
f. Supply:
(1) Food: 7 March 51 for the first time since coming to KOREA each Co received approx 50 lbs of flour and approx 200 lbs of rice from MANCHURIA.
(2) Clothing: At the same time each soldier in his Regt received summer trousers.
(3) Ammunition: According to the PW grenades and small arms ammo is replenished in sufficient quantity anytime it is required.
These ammo are hauled by trucks from ANTUNG MANCHURIA or by train to P’YONGYANG and from there to front lines by trucks.
g. Medical:
No contagious disease among troops. All in Div were given immunizations (arm hurt for several days) about 15 days ago.
h. Safe Conduct Pass:
Men in his unit were told that the “Safe Conduct Pass” was propaganda by the UN Forces and if any surrendered they would surely be tortured and killed. So most of the men have their doubts.
i. Health:
Health of the men is not too good due to lack of sleep and insufficient food. In PW Co of 40 men approx 10 men are effected by frostbite.
j. 4th Phase:
Approx one month ago at KUMHWA the unit was preparing for the 4th phase offensive but due to the UN Forces advances they had to commit their units and was forced to start their 4th phase.
Due to the persistent advances by the UN Forces and the heavy casualties inflicted upon their unit they were forced into a delaying action. By this delaying action they are trying to complete their preparation to succeed in their 4th phase operation to drive the UN Forces out of KOREA.
For the AC of S, G-2:
OJI
