ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 4198 24 March 1951
FIELD REPORT (2 DIV LDI 0290) 12 March 1951
| PW NAME: | KIM Chan Yong |
| AGE: | 22 |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| DUTY: | Ammo & Litter Bearer |
| UNIT: | NKA 12th Div, Replacement Bn. 1st Co, 3d Plat |
| DATE & PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 120900 Mar 51 at 4 km W of CHONGGUM-NI (DS205495) |
| CAPTURED BY: | 9th Inf Regt |
| INTERROGATOR: | Sgt KITSU |
2. EVALUATION:
Cooperative and gave information willingly. Source was a former ROK soldier captured by the NKA. The was alert and observant. Present tactical information on 12th Div was limited for source escaped 6 Mar 51. Information seems fairly reliable.
6 Mar 51, his unit was at rest at CHOHYON-NI (DS227578) and, while the troops were sleeping, source and 2 others escaped. The 3 men travelled southward, avoiding detection by the NKA, and surrendered 120900 Mar 51 to UN Troops.
O/a 1 Mar 51, heard from Plat Ldr that the mission of the 12th Div was to infiltrate UN positions and cut the NSR. After severing the MSR, the 12th Div was to start guerrilla warfare in the UN rear. Intentions of the 12th Div disrupted when they were attacked by UN Forces and forced to retreat.
a. Assignment:
Source was a former ROK soldier captured by the NKA 12th Div, 1st Regt 12 Feb 51 and immediately assigned to the 12th Div Replacement Bn.
b. Organization:
Elements of the 12th Div were the 1st, 2d and 3d Regt. Replacement Bn, and Engr Bn.
c. Withdrawal:
6 Mar 51, heard from Plat Ldr that the 12th Div was going to retreat to CHUNDANG-NI (DS255623). Also heard that V Corps Hospital was at CHUNDANG-NI (DS255623).
d. Disposition:
6 Mar 51, the Replacement Bn was at CHOHYON-NI (DS 227578). Bn duties were to train captured ROK soldiers and send them to the front lines. When source escaped from the Repl Bn 6 Mar 51, there were approx 300 former ROK soldiers being trained and, at the same time, being communistically indoctrinated. Heard that 200 former ROK soldiers were given arms and sent to the front lines 2 Mar 51.
e. Ammo Supply:
O/a 5 Mar 51, observed about 500 mortar shells (61mm and 81mm) in a valley at HAGUMDAE-RI (DS2555). Source inquired about the ammo, of a guard, and found out that this valley was the site for the 12th Div ammunition dump.
f. Other Units:
6 Mar 51, heard that the 7th Div was in vic of MAEIN-LI (DS2157) and that the 6th Div was in vic SANGGUMDAE-RI (DS2752). Mar 51, observed elements of the 6th and 7th Div at HAGUNDAE-RI (DS2555) retreating northward through the mountains.
g. CCF:
O/a 5 Mar 51, at 2400 hr, observed about 40 CCF troops with 20 horses travelling southeast from MAEIL-LI (D32157) and heard from his Plat Ldr, who spoke Chinese, that the troops were going to SANGGUNAE-RI (DS2752).
h. Hospital:
Also o/a 5 Mar 51, observed approx. 1,000 wounded NK soldiers at a hospital at CHUNDANG-NI (DS255623)
i. Disease:
Observed about 7 NK soldiers 5 Mar 51, sick with unk disease. Symptom was high fever.
j. Food:
Insufficient.
k. Physical Condition:
Troops seemed to be in poor health and many were suffering from frostbite.
l. Morale:
Morale was low due to lack of food and because of constant air and arty bombardment.
m. 4th Phase Operation:
Heard from Co CO 5 Mar 51 that the 4th Phase Offensive would commence 15 Mar 51. Men were preparing for the offensive now and awaiting further orders. Heard that the offensive would be heavily supported by tanks and aircraft.
n. Foreign Elements:
O/a 18 Feb 51, heard from co CO that six CCF Armies were being deployed on the central front. Heard that these six Armies were being shifted from the SEOUL Area. These Armies were said to have many artillery pieces with them.
O/a 5 Mar, observed 2 CCF soldiers (distinguished by their language) with 2 horses travelling south vic 4 km NKE of CHOHYON-NI (DS227578).
o. Effect of Night Bombing:
On the night of 1 Mar 51, a lone UN aircraft flew over HAGUMDAE-RI (DS2555) and dropped 2 flares followed by 5 bombs with time fuse. The bombs exploded harmlessly beyond a hill, approx 1 km away from the supposed target.
For the AC of S, G-2:
OJI
