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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 854　31 August 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0644)　29 August 1950

PH talked freely, but divulged only limited information.

Date inducted 31 Oct 49.

Training: Initially assigned to the 82mm mortar section, 3rd Co, 3rd Bn, 7th Regt, 3rd Div. 7th Regt garrisoned at CH'ORWON. Designations and stations of other two regts, unknown. 3rd Div Hq stationed in WONSAN (hearsay). 7th Regt was up to T/O strength (exact figure unknown) and fully armed with Russian weapons. Regt'l artillery was not stationed in CH'ORWON. PW received training in mortar squad drill but never fired the piece.

3rd Div crossed the 38th parallel north of UIJONGBU. Casualties were light. Next heavy enemy opposition was encountered in the battle tor SUWON. 3rd Div casualties were fairly heavy. UN air assaults accounted for majority of the casualties. 3rd Div attacked TAEJON from the NW, supported by an undetermined number of tanks. 4th Div was to the left of 3rd Div also moving on TAEJON. TAEJON fell to the combined attack of the 3rd and 4th Divisions. Both divisions suffered heavy casualties.

Prior to the attack on TAEJON, personnel of the 3rd Div were informed of the fact that TAEJON was being heavily defended by US forces. Also, at this time, PW’s company commander rend directive by order of the division CO, concerning treatment of PsW. All personnel were ordered to adhere to international law governing treatment of enemy captives and also to administer first aid to enemy wounded. PW has no idea whether personnel of the 3rd Div complied with this order.

After the fall of TAEJON, 3rd Div remained in reserve, following the advance of the 4th Div. 3rd Div marched through the mountains south of, and parallel to the TAEJON-TAEGU highway.

7th Regt passed 3 to 4 km S of SONGJU and took up positions on high ground approx 3 km S of NOSOK-TONG (1130-1440). Remained in this position for about 5 days. Other two regts of the 3rd Div were reported to be in position somewhere NW of WAEGWAN.

o/a 20 0400 Aug 50, 3rd Bn, strength 600, waded across the NAKTONG River approx 1 km S of NOSOK-TONG under heavy US artillery fire. Bn sustained losses of at least 50 killed and wounded in the river crossing. Bn managed to get across most of its mortars and MG’s. 2nd Bn immediately followed 3rd Bn, but was caught at daybreak on the W bank of the river by US tighter planes. 2nd Bn was forced to withdraw to its original positions. 1st Bn remained in position and planned to cross the river only after a bridgehead had been firmly established by the two assault battalions.

All weapons were hand carried: across the river. Water was shoulder high; current slow with a firm sandy bottom. No bridge building equipment observed on W side of river, prior to crossing. 3rd Bn advanced up to a low mountain approx 2 km E of the crossing point, when it was suddenly surrounded by US forces. After three days of severe fighting and sustaining losses of over 200 killed and wounded, battalion decided to fight its way back to friendly lines. Another factor, which compelled its withdrawal, was the rapidly diminishing ammunition supply, with no hope of replenishment.

An estimated 300 die-hards managed to escape one night through a narrow gap in the us lines. PW, in a disgusted state of mind, remained on the mountain - resigned to the fact that he would most probably be captured, and perhaps meet death at the hands of the Americans. PW descended mountain the following day and remained in the area near a double-track RR line, south of SAMCH’ONG DONG (1140-1450) subsisting on sweet potatoes, for about 4 days. A UN Safe Conduct Pass was picked up by PW in this area and, upon reading the contents of same, felt that he would be safe in the hands of the Americana. Hearting N from SAMCH’ONG DONG, PW walked into the US lines, waving the Safe Conduct Pass.

CO, 7th Regt - KIM CH’ANG BONG (김장봉). rank Colonel.

Observed 4 x SU-76 SP guns and 3 x T-34/85 tanks just off the SONGJU-WAEGWAN highway, at ac point approx 5 km from WAEGWAN, o/a 16 Aug 50. SP guns and tanks were under the cover of trees.

To the best of PW’s knowledge, 7th Regt did not receive any replacements since the start of hostilities.