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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 4360

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS 0073)　26 October 1951

PW spoke readily end was willing to give what information he possessed, but was not very intelligent. Judgement of distances, measurement and directions was poor. Health at time of interrogation and during period of observation was good. Detailed information was not available due to poor memory and lack of interest in the airfield at time of observation.

PW was born 3 Dec 33 in TUMEN (圖們), MANCHURIA, where he lived for sixteen years. At the age of 16, he graduated Tumen Primary School (6 yr). He departed TUMEN on 11 Jul 49 to visit his aunt in KIICHU (吉州里), HAMGYONG NAMDO, KOREA.

(40 km N of NANAM)

Observation: PW observed the TUMEN Military Airfield from a distance of 100m approximately twice a week from his early childhood until the age of 16 (1949). This airfield was constructed prior to the PW birth. Observation was made from 1700 to 1800 hours during the summer season, while the PW was returning from UJEKON, a small fanning village located 8km East of TUMEN. PW had to go to UJEKON to pick up firewood and consequently had numerous opportunities to observe this airfield.

Location: This airfield was located approximately 3km NE of the TUMEN PR Station, 4km NE of the TUMEN River, and 3km E of the TUMEN City Hall. (See Area Sketch) The airfield was located on level terrain surrounded by high mountains sparsely covered with trees 6m high on the north, east and waste.

Dimensions: The airfield was roughly circular and measured approximately 2km west to east and 2km north to south.

Runways and Surfaces: The surface of the entire airfield was concrete, 1½cm thick, over a layer of brick 10cm thick. There were no special aprons, taxi-stripe, runways or perimeter tracks. The airfield was used solely by single engine, monoplanes, presumably fighter planes of the 8th Route Army PW heard from NGO of the 8th Route Army that the planes were manufactured in MUKDEN. These planes always took off from the eastern fringe of the airfield toward the west, and landed from the west toward the east.

Access: The airfield was reached by a dirt road 15km wide from the direction of TUMEN. There was no other means of access.

Buildings: Two hangars with gabled grey-colored zinc corrugated roofs were observed 4m apart in the central part of the northeastern fringe of the airfield. These hangars were of wooden construction, each measuring 70m x 50m x 8m (12m to top of roof). A guard tower was located 5m E of the 15m wide dirt road on the boundary of the airfield. Dimensions of tower, which was of red brick construction, were 1½cm in diameter and 2m high. One armed soldier of the 8th Route Army was always on guard at the tower. Other guard towers were observed around the perimeter of the airfield, but the PW was unable to observe their number or exact locations.

No other facilities were observed.

Obstructions: Wooden electric poles with two strands of cable 6m high and 50m apart, were observed on the northern fringe of the airfield running east and west toward HSINRKING. No other obstructions observed

Aircraft Dispersal Points: No dispersal points were observed.

Defense Installations and Practices: None observed.

Supply: Unknown. Trucks loaded with fifty gallon drums were often observed travelling in groups of 3 or 4 on the main road of TUMEN. (Road 1 on sketch) during the period May 49 to Jul 49. Further details unknown.

Meteorological Factors: Minimum temperature during the winter season, which lasted from November to February, was 40º-50º below zero. From November, the TUKMEN River froze to a depth of 1m. River stayed frozen until September, summer season was from June to August. In summertime thick fogs hid the mountains, and houses 50m away were barely visible. Fogs lifted after 7 AM. Heavy rains fell for periods of two to four days in the summer. Snow piled to a depth of 50cm in the winter. There were only 15 to 20 clear days, every year, mostly in the summertime. Prevailing winds blew from the north and south. Wind velocity unknown. Planes were grounded during rainy days and on severely cold days in the winter. Snow was removed from the airfield with brooms by residents of TUMEN. Planes never flew at night.

Construction and Improvements: The airfield was constructed by Japanese Army. No improvements were made by the 8th Route Army. PW did not believe the airfield could be expanded since the field was surrounded by mountains.

Administration: The airfield was administered by the CCP 8th Route Army from Aug 45 until the date of departure (Jul 49). Number of troops, rank of commander, etc, unknown.

Aircraft One single engine battleplane (Fighter plane) arrived once every month. The plane usually landed at noon and left after one hour. Plane was grey-colored and was constructed of aluminum.

No other planes were observed on the airfield.

Mountains are sparsely covered with pine and poplar troops.

TTTT - Wooden electric poles with two strands of cables, 6m high, 50m apart.

A. Concrete viaduct bridge

1000m long 7m wide

B. Multi-span steel plate girder bridge

100m long, 5m wide (80m from A)

1. Concrete road 15m wide, 6km to bridge A

1A Dirt road, 15m wide (including sidewalks)

2. Dirt road, 5m wide

3. Dirt road, 1m wide

4. Dirt road, 15m wide

5. Dirt road, 15m wide (including sidewalks)

For the Commanding Officer:

AREA SKETCH OF TU-MEN AS OF JUL 49