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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 834　31 August 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS)　21 August 1950

PW was conscripted in NANAM (41 42N - 129 41E), on 13 July 50. For three months source had political indoctrination for 1 to 2 hours daily, close order drill and manual of arms. He did not actually fire any live ammunition while taking basic training. His primary training was to learn to take care of horses. After completing training, he was assigned to 9th Company of the 3rd Battalion detailed as caretaker of horses for 10 months. On 17 June 50, the entire 5th Division left NANAM by train and arrived in YANGYANG on 22 June 50. On the same date the unit moved to CHUMUNJIN located (37 54N - 128 50E) and arrived 25 June 50 after hiking 3 days. In CHUMUNJIN they fought the South Korean Army. They battled all the way to POHANG (10 August). The unit did not enter the city after sending scouts and discovering that Americans and South Koreans were stationed there. In POHANG no battles were fought but unit did scouting for 7 days.

PW's unit's mission was to fight its way into POHANG and advance into TAEGU as its main objective.

5th DivisionThere were 3 companies to each Battalion.

None observed, PW’s unit had 30 ponies for the purpose of transporting supplies.

Water cooled HMG, make unknown.

45 MM M1942 AT gun, Russian make.

82 MM M1937 Mortar, Russian make.

M189/30 rifles, Russian make.

DP light Machine guns, Russian make.

Terrain behind lines was very rough and mountainous. Between 15 to 20 men fell off a cliff and were killed or injured.

Long marches without proper rood, with very little rest and excessive fatigue caused most of the troops morale to be very low.

Food was very scarce and many days they had only one meal.

The North Koreans are subject to conscription between the ages of 18 to 23. However, if they belong to some Young Men’s Organizations the age limit is higher. Many young boys were forced to volunteer from fear of suffering being inflicted upon their families and relative.

PW did not know anything about preparation for war except that he felt it was very peculiar seeing all the young men conscripted. When his unit arrived in YANGYANG 22 June 1950, they were given weapons and 100 rounds of ammunition and were informed that they were going to war. 3 days prior to the 25 June invasion the whole unit knew they Were going to begin war with the South Koreans.

PW was very cooperative and gave all information to the best of his knowledge. During the interrogation he had several dizzy spells and interrogation had to be terminated for a short period.