ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 855 31 August 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0645) 29 August 1950
| Name: | KIM, CH’AN GI (金贊祺) (김찬기) |
| Rank: | Jr Lt |
| Age: | 23 |
| Orgn: | 3rd Div, 45mm AT Bn, AT Co, 3rd Plt |
| Duties with Unit: | Plt Ldr |
| Education: | 3 years Agricultural School |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Address: | HWANGCHAE-DO, JULYUL-KUN, ITO-MYON, CHINAE-RI #773 (黃海道 殷栗郡 二道面 池內里 七七三) |
| Date and Place Captured: | HABIN-MYON (1144.0-1434.6) 28 Aug 50 by 8th Cav |
| Interrogator: | Sgt HAYASHIDA (ATIS) |
Subject was cooperative and intelligent but not very observant. Subject surrendered on his own initiative. However, it is believed that he did so because he is certain that the N Koreans will lose the war. Reliability - Good.
Military History:Date inducted: 21 Nov 49
Training: 21 Nov 47 - d/u Oct 48: Received training at HAMHUNG Gunnery with 45 am AT Gun, dismounted drill, etc. Rank held, pvt. 11 Dec 47 - Subject attempted to desert and cross the 38° parallel with order of battle information of NKPA. Was apprehended by sentry. Prior to his arrest, destroyed all documents. Released in custody of Bn CO. Reprimanded and accused of being a spy. Subject denied charges. Imprisoned for 15 days and returned to unit.
Information gathered Dec 47 included following:
1. NKPA had only let, 2nd, and 3rd Divs.
2. 1st Div: Hqs situated KANGYE (江界). Div Area around CHINNAMP’O (鎭南浦), P’YONGYANG and SINUIJU. Subordinate units unknown.
3. 2nd Div: Hqs located RANAN. Div Area HAMGYONG PUK TO and HAMGYONG NAMDO.
4. 3rd Div: Hqs situated HAMHUNG. Infantry Regts deployed WONSAN, CH'ORW'ON. Div Arty Regt in HAMHUNG, also 45 am AT Bn. 76 mm Gun Bn and 120 mm Mortar Bn in PONGGUN. Other unknown.
Tactical Movements: Oct 48 - Nov 49: 45 mm AT Bn at WONSAN. Underwent training without live rounds. Strength 220, approximately.
Nov 49 - Apr 50 - 45 mm AT Bn deployed POK’KYE (福溪), Div Arty Re gt moved to CH'ORW'ON and Div Hqs to P'YONGGANG. Inf Regts unk.
Apr 50 - Jun 50 - 45 mm AT Bn located S Ian W CH'ORW'ON. Div Hqs in P'YONGGANG, Div Arty Regt, 9th Regt in CH'ORW'ON, 8th Regt in ICH’ON, and 7th Regt 10 km W CH'ORW'ON,
24 Jun 50 - Entire 3rd Div deployed S of YONCH’ON (漣川). Reinforced by 10 T-34/85 tanks.
0430, 25 Jun 50 - 3rd Div crossed border spearheaded by 7th and 8th Regt on KUMHWA-UIJONGBU Highway. Occupied UIJONGBU 27 Jun 50, and continued drive to SEOUL. Drive to SEOUL spearheaded by 7th Regt supported by tanks. Followed by Div Arty, 8th and 9th Regt respectively. 28 Jun 50, occupied SEOUL. Losses sustained enroute unk.
28 Jun 50 - Upon arrival of 3rd Div at SEOUL, Subject learned that the 105th Armored Brigade had entered the city about 2 hours prior to the arrival of the 3rd Div.
29 Jun 50 - 3rd Div departed SEOUL, less Arty and Armor, and arrived northern bank of HAN Rier immediately S of SEOUL. 7th Regt crossed HAN River 30 0300K Jun 50 and was. followed by the 8th Regt. 9th Regt held in reserve on north bank. 7th and 8th Regts received artillery fire during crossing. Casualties unk.
O/a 1 Jul 50 - Div Arty ferried across river. 7th arid 8th Regts unable to advance due to heavy enemy fire. 9th Regt crossed river. On this date strength of 7th Regt was about 1,500, 8th Regt about 2,000 and 9th Regt about 2,000. With Arty support, units advanced.
O/a 8 Jul 50 - 3rd Div arrived SUWON. Fought short skirmished enroute. 3rd Div did not engage in battle for SUWON. Since city was occupied by the 4th Div prior to the arrival of the 3rd Div. 4th Div departed SUWON o/a 8 Jul 50, followed by the 3rd Div. Direction of march on main highway to TAEJON.
O/a 18 Jul 50 - 3rd Div arrived northern outskirts CHOCH’IWON (鳥致院) 4th Div became separated from 3rd Div enroute, details unk. 3rd Div fought short skirmishes enroute to CHOCH’IWON. Losses unk. 7th Regt engaged US Forces in the northern outskirts of the city, and was reinforced by elements of the 8th Regt. By 19 Aug 50 CHOCH’IWON was secured. o/a 19 Jul 50, strength of 7th Regi approx 1,500, 8th Regt, approx 2,000, 9th Regt approx 2,000.
O/a 22 Jul 5o - 3rd Div arrived KONGJU. 3rd Div drive on KONGJU was spearheaded by the 7th and 8th Regts. Although the Div had 5 x T-34/85 tanks they were not used in the battle for KONGJU. Casualties unknown.
O/a 30 Jul 50 - 3rd Div spearheaded by 8th Regt, supported by 6 tanks, entered TAEJON. Casualties sustained, unk.
O/a 5 Aug 50 - 3rd Div arrived KUMCH'ON. No engagements enroute. Route of march via YONGDONG on main highway. There were no NKPA Units in KUMCH’ON.
O/a 8 Aug 50 - Entire 3rd Div arrived 2 km NW of WAEGWAN (倭館) RR Bridge. 7th Regt. crossed river under heavy enemy fire. Consequently remainder of Div moved about 5 km N where the crossing was made on 9 Aug 50. Prior to crossing, PW noticed elements of 15th Div in the area. No details.
9 Aug 50 - PW deserted while the unit was crossing the river.
9 Aug 50 - 23 Aug 50 - Subject made his way southward to SONGJU (1120-1440) where he encountered the 7th Training Regt of the 15th Div on 25 Aug 50. PW was interrogated as to why he became separated from his organization. Subject held th:at he was discharged from a hospital and was seeking his unit. After the investigation PW volunteered to perform patrol duty for the Regt. PW stayed lli~h the unit in SONGJU until 28 Aug 50. Strength of the Regt, unk. Subject heard unit was not able to fire guns because of the lack of ammunition. PW did mt see any vehicles, armor or artillery.
28 Aug 50 - PW left the unit under orders to patrol the western river bank around TASAN-MYON (1130-1430). Upon arrival at the river on 29 Aug 50, Subject wrote a message to m Forces and ordered a Korean boy to deliver the message. Subject stated his desire to surrender in the message, and was allowed to cross the river.
Personalities:| Name: | LEE YONG HU (李龍호) (이용호) |
| Rank: | Maj Gen |
| Age: | 55 |
| Position: | 3rd Div Commanding General |
| Name: | CHANG, PY’ONG SAN (張平山) (장평산) |
| Rank: | Sr Col |
| Age: | 50 |
| Position: | Chief of Staff, 3rd Div |
| Name: | AN PYONG KWOL (安炳궐) (안병궐) |
| Rank: | Lt Col |
| Age: | 32 |
| Position: | 3rd Div 45 mm AT Bn Commanding Officer |
| Name: | O, WI SAM (吳義三) (오위삼) |
| Rank: | Maj |
| Age: | 40 |
| Position: | 45 mm AT Bn Politica1 Officer |
3rd Div, 45 mm AT Bn - 353
3rd Div, 7th Regt - 389
3rd Div, 8th Regt - 383
3rd Div, 9th Regt - 377
3rd Div, Engr Bn - 366
3rd Div, Signal Bn - 395
Unit Capabilities: 3rd DivStrength:
| Original - | 45 mm AT Bn - 220 men | Present (9 Aug 50) - 40 men |
| 12 x 45 mm Guns | 6 x 45 mm Guns | |
| 36 x 14.5 mm PTRD | 7 x 14.5 PTRD AT Rifle | |
| 7th Regt - 2,500 | 600 men | |
| 12 x 76 mm Guns | unk | |
| 8th Regt - 2,500 men | 1,200 men | |
| 12 x 76 mm Guns | unk | |
| 9th Regt - 2,500 men | 1,500 men | |
| 12 x 76 mm Guns | unk | |
| Arty Regt - 300 men | 150 men | |
| 12 x 120 mm Mortars | unk | |
| Others unk |
Morale: Morale of the troops was very low because of the lack of food and rest, as well as the lack of sufficient artillery support. The troops are fighting without air support and cringe whenever they hear aircraft. The men are beginning to doubt that they will win the war.
Replacements: The 8th Regt received approximately 600 replacements. Men were raw S Korean conscripts who had volunteered in SEOUL. Mode of travel from SEOUL unk. The men were unarmed.
Vehicles: The Div had 10 trucks on 9 Aug 50. The trucks were in good condition.
Armor:Subject observed 2 x T-34/85 tanks 5 km N of WAEGWAN RR Bridge. The tames were hidden in the hills immediately west of the river. Subject heard the tanks were to support the 15th Div. Point of crossing river unknown. OBS: 4 Aug 50.
Strategic EEI - Opinions and Hearsay:1. The officers believed that US Advisory Groups would supervise S Korean operation in event of war with KOREA.
2. No one believed the US would take positive action and commit air, land or naval support.
3. It was believed that S Korean Forces would use heavy tanks and artillery.
4. Officers do not expect outside aid if NKPA begins to give ground.
Signed TARKENTON/WALKER
