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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 702　23 August 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0520)　21 August 1950

PW claimed to have been stripped of uniform when captured. Later dressed in civilian clothing by US troops then refitted with US khaki uniform. Information of average intelligence, but unfamiliar with military terms due to short military service. Considered reliable by interrogator.

On or about 9 Jul 50 - Conscripted in KANGGYE. 1000 conscripts (all farmers, ages 16-29, average age 27) assembled in front of railway station, heard talk by local military leader imploring conscripts to help in struggle for victory.

10 Jul 50 - No training received. 1,000 conscripts departed, via rail, from KANGGYE.

14 Jul 50 - arrived in SEOUL as replacements for 4th Div stationed within city area. Because of youth and small physical frame, PW assigned to 4th Div Hq.

15-17 Jul 50 - 4th Div (5th, 16th, 18th Regt’s) departed SEOUL on foot 4th Div Hqs followed rear unit (16th Regt).

On or about 21 Jul 50 - 4th Div arrived in area N of KONGJU, engaged in battle by ROK Army units supported by US aircraft Suffered moderate casualties. 4th Div advanced through city and continued towards TAEJON over KONGJU-TAEJON Road. Travel was by night only due to air attack by US aircraft on daylight troop movements. Surrender leaflets dropped by US aircrafts (see Propaganda Leaflets).

On or about 27 Jul 50 - 4th Div passed through TAEJON.

27 Jul 50 - 13 Aug 50 - 4th Div arrived at NAKTONG River E of CHOGYE. Daylight attack by jet, single and twin engine US aircrafts. Moderate day and night artillery shelling from E of NAKTONG River. Heavy casualties among troops and damage to heavy equipment (truck, artillery).

18 0300K Aug 50 - 4th Div crossed NAKTONG River on river craft (20 men each) in Bn or smaller units along 200 meter front. CG, 4th Div crossed river with forward unit (designation unknown). 4th Div Hqs remained in wooded area 5-6 km W of NAKTONG River. CF, 4th Div returned to Div Hqs from # of river (hearsay). Time of return unknown.

PW crossed river with remaining 4th Div units. Instructed to work with wounded evacuation team. Occasional inaccurate artillery shelling received during crossing. 4th Div troops advanced from E bank of NAKTONG River into low wooded mountain 1½ km E of river under heavy artillery and mortar fire from US-ROK positions. After PW landed on E bank, he and 5 others from 4th Div units decided to surrender, proceeded to high wooded mountain (where presence of US-ROK troops was known) 2 km E of NAKTONG River and immediately SE of low wooded mountain (where 4th Div unts were deployed).

19 1530K Aug 50 - PW and 5 others surrendered to US troops.

Remarks: Weapons hand carried by 4th Div crossed NAKTONG River included, M1891/30 Rifles, M1938 Carbines 2 hand grenades each, PD LMG, Maxim HMGS M1910 M1910 (on Sokolov mount), DShk HMG’s M1938. Mortars similar to 82-mm M1941 Bn Mortar.

Heavy Weapons observed E of NAKTONG River included: 3 x T-34/85 tanks (damaged and unserviceable).

Heavy weapons and/or equipment observed with 4th Div in armed along W banks, NAKTONG River included: Trucks (quantity unknown), 4 x T-34/85 Medium tanks (unknown whether same tanks as these (3) observed in wrecked condition 2 x 76-mm Field Gun M1942 (drawn by trucks). Trucks were loaded with rations and ammunition and also similar artillery (quantity unknown because of darkness). PW estimated at least 50% of 4th Div Heavy equipment was destroyed by US-ROK artillery, mortar and aircraft action W of NAKTONG River. Loss tan 5% of remaining 4th Div Heavy equipment believed ferried cross river. Majority of heavy equipment E of river believed destroyed by US-ROK action.

Casualties: Of 60 the Div Hqs Service Unit, 42 were killed during and after river crossing. Other unit casualties were unknown. PW believed greatest casualties in 4th Div were caused by artillery and mortar fire.

CG - 4th Div: LEE, KWON MU (리권무) Maj Gen, Age 40

Asst CG: name unknown, Sr Col, Age 43

Note: Other officers in 4th Div Hqs included: 1 Col, 3 Lt Cols, and 6 Majs.

Service military officers were observed at P’YONGYANG.

At KANGGYE, on/about 9 Jul 50, 1,000 conscripts (including PW) (4th Div replacements) were to receive Cholera immunization, however they departed before shorts were given.

During 4th Div’s march from KONGJU to TAEJON (on/about 21-27 Jul) 5 or 6 troops collapsed each night during night marches. These troops complained of stomach pains; faces became pale, finally doubled up with hands around stomach area. Appeared to be in pain. Cause unknown. Strieken troops were carried away to rear areas by unit medical aidemen.

US Propaganda Leaflets dropped by US aircrafts on 4th Div Units between KONGJU and TAEJON (on/about 21-27 Jul) induced PW to consider surrendering at the first opportunity. (Before PW was conscripted at KANGGYE, he was urged by his mother and others in village to surrender to US troops as seen as practicable rather than to rist his own life for N Korean Government. Most villagers disliked N Korean Government because of its land re-distribution program under which even the smallest landowner was required to relinquish part of his holding to those farmers without land).

PW heard in P’YONGYANG, 12 Jul 50 that a US PW Camp was located (separate from ROK PW Camp) somewhere within city limits.

Between TAEJON and KOCH’ANG, 27 Jul 50 - 13 Aug 50, a single US PW was observed being used as truck driver in 4th Div’s 18th Regt. The truck was loaded with candy, travelling with Regt in southeasterly direction. PW were fatigue clothes, combat toots and helmet liner and appeared healthy. There were no armed guards with PW.

Additional troop reinforcements (replacements?) and 20 tanks were expected to cross river in 4th Div river crossing area after 4th Div (hearsay from fellow soldiers in PW’s mess unit. PW thinks this was propaganda to bolster 4th Div’s morale).

6th and 3rd Div’s departed from SEOUL, 14-16 Aug. 6th Div’s objective was MOKP’O. 3rd Div’s objective unknown. (PW’s 4th Div objective was PUSAN).