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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 644　21 August 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0470)　18 August 1950

Informant was dressed in long sleeved undershirt and underpants. Informant claims his uniform was stained with blood from helping transport US wounded soldiers on stretchers after capture, therefore was thrown away before arriving at EUSAK Interrogation Center. Informant was of average intelligence and fairly cooperative. Considered fairly reliable by interrogator.

15 Jul 50 - Conscripted into replacement training unit, SINUIJU. 1,000 conscripts (Mostly farmers, ages 18-30; average age 25) received only 2 days training in infiltrating tactics and lectures onf rifle firing. Fired 2 rds from single rifle passed around the group.

18 Jul 50 - Replacement unit (1,000 conscripts) alerted. Departed SINUIJU by rail.

20 Jul 50 - Arrived at SEOUL.

22 Jul 50 - Departed from SEOUL on foot.

1 Aug 50 - Arrived at TAEJON via SUWON, P’YONGTAEK, CHOCHI’IWON. At TAEJON 200 (INCLUDING PW) separated from replacement unit. PW’s replacement unit armed with M1891/30 rufkes and 11 rounds each (small amount ammunition given, no hand grenades because PsW told that they would merely guard and police areas over-run by N Korean Army).

10 200 K Aug 50 - PW’s replacement unit (200) arrived at NAKTONG River east of CH’OGYE via YONGDONG, MUJU, KOCH’ANG, HYOPCH’ON, CH’OGYE (1120-1400). 4th Div Units (designation unk) were observed deployed in positions on east bank of NAKTONG River. Light casualties. No aircraft attacks. Some artillery pieces observed with 4th Div units, however was given orders to remain silent lost positions be revealed.

11 0300 K Aug 50 - 4th Div units (size or designations unk) began crossing NAKTONG River. Local river boats strapped together forming rafts over which boards were laid for carrying 1 x truck, 1 x artillery piece and 40 fully equipped troops. Rafts were pulled back and forth across river by tow ropes, using manpower. PW’s replacement unit crossed river in similar manner. No exchanged of artillery, mortar or small arms fore during entire crossing operation. PW hid in deserted village hut with small group of the replacements unit upon crossing river. PW believed entire 4th Div crossed river.

12 1000 K Aug 50 - Replacement Unit entered wooded mountain area approximately 5 km from river crossing point (Direction unk - probably in indirection of YONGSAN - interrogator). Replacement unit (200) assigned to 4th DIv, 18th Regt. CG, 4th Div crossed NANKTONG River (Hearsay from fellow soldiers). 11 x Howitzers, similar to 122 mm M1910/30 Howitzer, and 6 x trucks observed among 4th Div units east of NAKTONG River. 4th Div units under heavy artillery, mortar and small arms fire from US forces.

13/14 Aug 50 - 4th Div Units deployed in wooded areas awaiting further attacks from US forces.

14 2000 K Aug 50 - Contacted guerrilla band (See guerrilla units). PW and 30 others posted as guard along front fo 4th Div units (Designation unk). Guerrilla band (250 men) and 4th Div units attempted encirclement from left and right flanks. Heavy exchange of artillery and small arms fire.

15 2000 K Aug 50 - Attack by US forces continued. 4th Div unit positions stormed and overrun by US unit. N Korean guards fle leaving PW alone. PW captured by US troops.

Weapons hand-carried or ferried across NAKTONG River by 4th Div units included: M1891/30 rifles, hand grenades (only plt ldr’s and sqd SOKOLOV Mount), 11 x howitzers similar to 122 mm M1910/30 Howitzer and 6 x trucks. No US prisoners seen in 4th Div area.

No information due to short time in unit.

Between SEOUL and TAEJON, 20 Jul - 1 Aug 50, approximately 20 US PsW were observed in rear areas of advancing N Korean units. Since there was a critical shortage of trained trucks drivers, majority of US PsW were observed driving supply trucks behind marching columns of troops. US PsW appeared healthy and cheerful.

Between KUMSAN and MUJU a group of 3 US PsW on 1/5 Aug 50, were observed being led to rear by capturing N Korean Unint. PsW were observed walking barefooted and without head gear. Undershirts and shorts, watches, and other personal items were confiscated. PsW were dressed in ragged fatigues. One PW with painful thigh wound was forced to walk helped along by the other 2 PsW.

In mountain area 5 km NW of YONGSAN 12 1100 K Aug 50, 5 US PsW (one wearing 3 stripes on sleeves) wearing fatigues and helmets, walking barefooted, were observed being led away to rear area by guards. One PW observed with wounded right thigh helped along by other PsW. hands were left united. No mistreatment of PsW by guards observed.

14 Aug 50, w days after NAKTONG River crossing, 4th Div units contacted a guerrilla band (strength - 250, mostly former students of communism, ages 20-30) in wooded mountain area approximately 5 km from river crossing point (Direction unk). Guerrilla wore civilian clothes. Armed with rifles (Model unk) and other weapons light enough to be carried by one man. PW believed guerrillas were N Koreans who crossed NAKTONG River ahead of 4th Div.

Guerrillas laid plans to envelope the right and left flanks of the advancing US combat troops together with 4th Div units, however US forces proved stronger that expected and entire scheme failed. Guerrillas and North Korean troops were routed. Casualties unknown.

No instructions received. North Korean Medical Corpsmen were Red Cross armbands and were armed.

US Propaganda leaflets - negative.