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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 778　27 August 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0581)　25 August 1950

PW fairly intelligent and talked willingly. Information seems reliable.

Date inducted - 12 Apr 47, SINUIJU (新義州).

Training - Trained at the Civilian Youth Training Center at SINUIJU. Infantry tactics highly stressed at this training center. Oct, 48, PW than a Jr Sgt, was selected as an officer candidate upon passing physical examination and simple mental tests. An estimated 60 candidates from the training center were enrolled at the No. 1 Military Academy at P’YONGYANG.

PW received instruction on artillery and mortars Oct 49, PW and an estimated 1,000 graduated as Jr Lts. This group comprised the third class graduated from the Academy. The fourth and final class was graduated Jul 50 (hearsay).

Oct 49, PW assigned to the 1st Div, 2nd Regt, 2nd Bn, 82-mm Mortar Co as platoon leader. The entire 1st Div was stationed, at this time, in the vicintiy of NAMCH’ON (南川). 1st Div was fully armed and up to T/O strength at this time with an estimated 12,000 offiers and EM.

Tactical Movement - 1st Div supported by 5 x T-37/85 tanks crossed the 38° parallel in the IMJIN River (臨津江) sector. 2nd Regt spearheaded the 1st Div in the IMJIN River crossing, utilizing the KAESONG (開城)-MUNSAN (汶山) railroad bridge, NW of MUNSAN.

27 Jun 50, PW wounded in action immediately after the river crossing. Hospitalized in the Army Central, P’YONGYANG, former Jap Army hospital with a capacity of about 600 beds. Hot water and food were charcoal-heated. Latrines were sump-type. Medical facilities were fair. Hospital staffed by army medical officers and civilian student nurses.

2 Aug 50 - Discharged from hospital and joined the 73rd Inf Reft at KAN-Ri. Assigned as CO of the 3rd Bn, 82-mm Mortar Co. 73rd Inf Regt activated 12 Jul 50 at SINUIJU. (hearsay) Regtl strength at this time, 2,500. Majority were poorly trained conscripts. Regt armed with Russian rifles, sub-machine guns, LMG’s and HMG’s. Weapons were brand now, a recent shipment from RUSSIAN, via MANCHURIA (hearsay). No mortars or artillery pieces in the regiments. Mortars and arilltery pieces of the regiment loaded on train at SINUIJU, but train was bombed by UN planes, while enroute, and the whole shipment either destroyed or damages (hearsay).

13 Aug 50 - 73rd Regt detrained at WONJU and departed the same day on foot.

20 Aug 50 - 73rd Regt arrived north of IMAM-Ni (立岩里) via CH’UNGJU (忠州), TANYANG (丹陽), YONGJU (榮州), ANDONG, and CH’ONG-SONG (靑松). O/a 17 Aug 50, observed an estimated 2,000 fresh, unarmed troops moving south towards the YONGCHON (永川) Sector (hearsay) midway between ANDONG and CH’ONGSONG.

23 0500K Aug 50 - 3rd Bn launched an attack on Hill 596 (2.5 km NW of IMAM-Ni) from the NE. 1st Bn prepared defensive positions, on high ground, approx 2 km SWof KOP’YONG-Ni, protecting the right flank of the regiment. 2nd Bn prepared densive positions, on high ground, approx 1 km E of HYONNAE-Ri, protecting the left flank fo the regiment. An artillery unit with 2 x 76mm Field Guns attached to the regiment supported the attack. This artillery regiment was borrowed from the 105th Unit (Code No. of an unidentified infantry regiment). This 105th Unit was to the right of the 73rd Regt, attacking towards YONGCH’ON (hearsay).

The 5 company commanders of the 3rd Bn were briefed by the battalion commander one day prior to the attack. Briefing by the Bn CO as follows: (1) Situation: Hill 596, the only ROK strong point in the IMAM-NI-POHANG Sector. After the capture of Hill 596, the capture of POHANG-DONG to be accomplished with little or no enemy position. (2) Enemy (ROK) strength: Hill 596 defended by an unidentified unit, strength, approx 2,000, supported by artillery and mortars. No enemy tanks in the area. (3) Friendly Units: Nothing said on units adjacent to the 73rd Regt, No tank support. (4) Disposition for the Attack: From left to right, 2nd Rifle Co, 82-mm Mortar Co (acting as a rifle Co) 1st Rifle Co, 3rd Rifle Co, to attack simultaneously. HMG Co’s MG’s to be evenly distributed to each of the four companies. (5) Ammunition Supply: Ammunition to be fired sparingly. No replenishment of ammunition until objective captured. (500 rounds per MG; 30-40 rounds per rifle). (6) Mission: 3rd Bn to capture Hill 596 then rapidly advance SE, down the CHIDONG-Ni-KIGYE Highway without regrouping. Mission if the 1st and 2nd Bns during initial stages of the attack to protect the flank of the 3rd Bn. Subsequent missions of the 1st and 2nd Bn’s, undisclosed. (7) Objective of the 73rd Regt: P’OHANG-DONG.

23 1000K Aug 50 - PW’s company inned down by intense ROK automatic fire, at a point approx 20 meters from the ridge line of Hill 596. PW and 23 of his men surrendered. At least 10 killed. At time of PW’s capture, he observed the disorganized 3rd Bn withdrawing towards KOPYONG-Ni.