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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 895　5 September 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0700)　3 September 1950

Subject was very cooperative and is of average intelligence. Subject surrendered because he was scheduled to be court martialed, and is very bitter about his superiors. Subject seems to be very disgusted with the turn of affairs since he held a relatively high position in his unit. Reliability - good.

Date inducted - Volunteered 20 Jun 46 at CHINNAMP’O.

Training - 20 Jun 46 - 25 Oct 47: Entered as pvt at Central Peace Preservation Officers’ Training School, now known as 1st Military Academy, situated KANGSO. Enrollment policy: Must be member in good standing of Democratic Youth League. Must be recommended for enrollment by Secretary General, Democratic Youth League. Candidates receive pre-enrollment examinations covering simple math (addition, subtraction, division, multiplication) and Korean Language ability. Also oral examinations to determine candidate's political leanings. Ideological examination given by an instructor, include following questions:

1. Who are the principal political figures in Korea?

2. What is the general internal situation of Korea to include S. Korea?

3. What is your opinion of international conditions?

4. Are you ready to give your life for your country?

5. Why did you volunteer for military service?

Only laborers, farmers and students accepted for enrollment. Persons in possession of any amount of capital or wealth were excluded. There were no standard age limitations. Sons of NKPA officers accepted from age of 18. Others must be 20 years of age or over. Persons under 30 preferred but some were accepted who were older.

System of Organization and Personalities: (obs 20 Jun 46 - 25 Oct 47) School Commandant: PAK, Hyo Sam (朴孝三) (박효삼) Age: 36 Ranks None. Graduate Chinese Nationalist Army War College at 22. Defected and joined CCF. Returned to N. Korea, spring of 46. Other details, unknown.

Russian Advisors: 4 Russian field grade advisors, details, unknown.

Asst School Commandant: Name unknown.

Inf School Superintendent: Name unknown.

Arty School Superintendent: Name unknown.

School Political Officer: KIM, Kyong Suk (金敬石) (김경석). Age: 40. Ex-member CCF. Returned to N. Korea Dec 45. Details unknown.

Signal School Superintendent: Name unknown.

A. Inf School:

B. Arty School:

Intensive gunnery instructions - 2 hours per day for 6 months covering math, trajector, etc. Details u/k.

C. Signal School:

One Company: 80 cadets, l radio instructor, 1 telegraphy instructor. LB-42, TAM-43, YHAN-?, Others u/k.

Subject entered HMG Co, Inf School, during the first 6 months. Training centered around operation, nomenclature of weapons, these included M189/30 rifle, M1910 HMG DP LMG, Pistols, and Grenades. Fired 20 round w/M1891/30 rifle and 500 rounds w/M1910 HMG. During first 6 months, normal schedule was as follows:

0500 - Reveille

0500 0515 - Calesthenics

0515 0700 - Clean up period

0700 0800 - Breakfast

0800 1000 - Political Studies

1000 1200 - Firing and Weapons instructions

1200 1300 - Communications course

1300 1400 - Bridge construction, methods of river crossing

1400 1450 - Dinner

1450 1550 - Break

1600 1800 - Tactics

1815 1915 - Supper

1915 2200 - Taps

Entire course at the school was generally broken down into the following:

1st 6 months - Basic infantry training

7th month - Squad tactics

8th month - Platoon tactics

9th months - Company tactics

1st 2 weeks, 10th month - Refresher course

3rd week, 10th month - exam

4th week, 10th month - Preparation for graduation, and graduation.

The school was capable of accommodating approx 1,000 men. All men commissioned Jr Lt’s on graduation.

After graduation, Subject assigned to 2nd Regt, 1st Div.

25 Oct 47 - 15 Apr 49 - P’YONGYANG assigned 2nd Regt, 1st Div, Strength 2nd Regt, approx 2,500 men. 1st Regt situated KAECH’ON, 3rd Regt located KANGGYE. Div Arty Regt stationed KAECH’ON. Div strength, 12,000. Units engaged in mountain warfare training. During this period, the NKPA was composed of 1st Div (12,000); 2nd Div (12,000); 3rd Div (12,000 - HAERYONG Area); 4th Inf Brig (10,000 - WONSAN); Armored Regt (Designation, u/k, P’YONGYANG. Details u/k); Air Regt (P’YONGYANG - Detalis u/k).

15 Apr 49 - 20 Oct 49 - Asgd 112th Independent HMG Bn, attached to 1st Div. Unit stationed NAMCH’ON. Strength, 400 men. Subject was Bn S-3. Bn received intensive range practice and mountain warfare training.

1 Nov 49 - 30 Apr 50 - Attended Staff School at P’YONGYANG. The school was divided into four section: Corps Staff Officers School, Division Staff Officers School, Regtl Staff officers School, and Bn Command and Staff School. PW was enrolled in the Regtl Starr Officers School.

1st Group Instntctors: HONG, IK (홍익)

Rank: Maj

Age: 25

Name: KIM, TAE JIN (김대진)

Rank: Capt

Age: 27

2nd Group Instructors: HONG CH’OL (홍철)

Ranks Maj

Age: 27

Other: unknown

3rd Group Instructors: PAK, TU CH’ON (박두천)

Rank: Maj

Age: 25

Other: unknown

Subjects taught: tactics, and administrative procedure.

D. Bn Command and Staff School - Approx 35 officer, fr Jr Lt through Sr Capt. Two instructors. Length of course, 6 months. Details, unknown.

E. Additional Informations School Commandant: CH’OE, YONG JIN (최용진) Age: 42; Rank: Maj Gen; Presently CG, 13th Div

Officer students were selected for attendance by their unit commanders.

20 Apr 50 - 15 Jun 50 - Asgd 19th Regt, 13th Div. Enter Div stationed in SINUIJU. Strength approx 12,000. 13th Div organized Mar 50 of recent conscripts.

15 Jun 50 - Entire Div departed SINUIJU by rail.

23 Jun 50 - Entire Div assembled KUMCH’ON (940-1710) and marched E to YONCH’ON. Crossed 30° Parallel, 26 Jun 50.

10 Jul 50 - Entire Div arrived SEOUL. No incidents enroute. 10 Jul - 17 Jul 50 - Div engaged in search for S. Korean officials and military police. No one was apprehended, 17 Jul. SO, entire 13th Div departed SEOUL, marched SE to CHUNGJU.

1 Aug 50 - 13th Div arrived CH'UNGJU. No incidents enroute. Upon arrival at city, Subject observed rear elements of lst Div leaving. 13th Div followed 1st Div to SANGJU via MUNGYONG and HAMHUNG. 1st Div departed SANGJU in an unknown direction o/a 10 Aug 50, 13th Div departed SANGJU o/a 10 Aug 50 and arrived NAKTONG-NI o/a 15 2000 Aug 50. 13th Div had not been committed to battle until this date. Between MUN’GYONG and NAKTONG-NI the Division sustained daily air attacks. Suffered losses of approx 2,000 men. Strength of Div on 15 Aug 50, approx 10,000 men. 13th Div started to cross NAKTONG River at NAKTONG-NI 15 2000 Aug 50. Crossing spearheaded by 21st Regt, 21st Regt less artillery crossed under heavy artillery and small arms fire. Sustained casualties of about 700 men, During initial phase of crossing, 13th Div Arty provided fire support but was soon forced to cease fire after disclosing its position. 2400 15 Aug 50, 19th Regt less artillery, crossed NAKTONG River. 23rd Regt and Div Arty remained in hills north and south of NAKTONG-NI. 0400 16 Aug 50, last elements of 19th Regt crossed river. Immediately after crossing river, PW met a few stragglers from the 15th Div who were seeking their unit. Location of 15th Div at this time, unknown. After crossing river, 21st Regt advanced south in column on SANGJU-TAEGU Highway followed by 19th Regt. Strength, 21st Regt at this time, approx 1,800 men, 19th Regt, approx 2,500 men. One company of 1st Bn, 21st Regt marched 500 meters ahead of the main body of troops. At point 1 km SE of TOGAE-DONG (1130-1480) 2400 16 Aug 50, leading company drew fire from ROK Forces. The company left the road and occupied. high ground immediately W of road where it was joined by the other elements of 1st Bn (21st Regt). 2nd and 3rd Bns, 19th Regt, occupied ridge 1 km E of 2nd and 3rd Bns, 21st Regt. 1st Bn, 19th Regt occupied valley between 21st and 19th Regt. (23rd Regt and Div Arty still on west bank of NAKTONG River). 1st Bn fought south and occupied adjoining ridge at 0400 17 Aug 50. 2nd and 3rd Bns, 21st Regt advanced south to the bottom of a narrow valley. ROK Forces held ridge immediately south of 2nd and 3rd Bns, 21st Regt. 1st Bn, 19th Regt by-passed main body 21st Regt on left flank and advanced to the foot of the ridge facing 2nd and 3rd Bn, 21st Regt. 2nd and 3rd Bns, 19th Regt made no progress. At daybreak 17 Aug 50, all advances made on night of 16 Aug 50 were lost because of heavy artillery fire and air attacks. Consequently, the units withdrew to their original positions and took up defensive tactics. Until 2000, 17 Aug 50, the units were without artillery support and was subjected to constant artillery shelling and air attacks. At 2000 17 Aug 50, the units with Div Arty support went from the defensive to the attack. The units simultaneously advanced south and overcame the ROK Forces. The engagement ended at 2300 17 Aug 50. In the engagement of 16 and 17 Aug 50, 21st Regt suffered 800 casualties, 19th Regt lost 700 men. Strength, 21st Regt approx 1,000 men, 19th Regt approx 1,800 men. After the engagement, the units marched south, led by 21st Regt.

18 Aug 50 - 23rd Regt joined 21st and 19th Regts. At 0500, the Div engaged UN Forces at point 5 km SE of NAKSONG-DONG. Engagement lasted until 2100. 21st Regt lost 400 men, 19th Regt, 300 men; 23rd Regt, 400 men. Strength 21st Regt, approx 600 men, 19th Regt 1,500 men, 23rd Regt 21100 men. This was the first engagement for 23rd Regt.

19 Aug 50 - 0001, 23rd Regt and 21st Regt engaged UN Forces. 19th Regt hold in reserve. Skirmish anded 0400. Total losses, approx 100 men. 0400, 23rd Regt deployed northern slope of YUHAK-SAN at a point 1 km SW of principal road junction. 21st Regt occupied high ground 1 km SE of road junction, and 19th Regt was held in reserve in SAJANG-DONG Area. 20 Aug 50, 21st Regt withdrew because of heavy artillery shelling to SE slope of YUHAK-SAN. 23rd Regt remained in position. 19th Regt deployed 1 km E of road junction E of YUHAK-SAN. 0400 20 Aug 50, 45th Regt, 15th Div arrived YUHAK-SAN and was deployed 1 km W of 21st Regt position. 13th Div Arty situated SAJANG-DONG.

21 Aug 50 - Position unchanged. 2000 hrs, 13th Div reinforced by 45th Regt, 15th Div started offensive. Objective, TMBU-DONG. All units except 19th Regt jumped off at 2000 hrs. PW assumed command of 19th Regt on that day. Also 2nd Bn, 19th Regt had become disorganized under an artillery shelling and PW was still in process of reorganizing the battalion when the attack order came. Consequently, 19th Regt started attack at 2130 hours. Objective of 19th Regt was to neutralize artillery positions 4 km NNE TABU-DONG. Because 19th Regt was l hour and 30 minutes late, the division attack became disorganized and the units were forced to fall back to their original position. Attack supported by 5 x T-34/85 tanks. 4 destroyed.

24 Aug 50 - 13th Div received 800 replacements, 400 brought their own weapons. Remaining 400 were issued weapons upon assignment to Regt. 19th Regt received 182 men, remaining 600 men assigned to 21st and 23rd Regts. Div strength with replacements, approx 3,000 men. Subject investigated for failure to obey orders on 21 Aug 50.

24 Aug - 31 Aug 50 - 13th Div went on defensive. Position unchanged except for absence of 45th Regt which PW heard was deployed in KUNWI Area. Units ordered to have 4 days rations on hand.

31 Aug 50 - 4,000 replacements arrived 13th Div. Only 2,000 of the men arrived with weapons. Remaining 21000 men equipped upon assignment to regts. By 31 Aug 50, division strength was approx 9,000 men. Replacements, stragglers and wounded personnel discharged from field hospitals were absorbed. General preparation for offensive made. Each man issued 300 rounds ammunition. Each Regt Arty piece issued 120 rounds of ammunition. Unit had in stock, enough ration for 4 days. Subject heard 1st Div deployed on left flank of 13th Div at KASAN-MYON. Subject heard a general offensive was to start. Details, unknown. Objective, TAEGU. Div was expecting the arrival of an undetermined number of heavy tanks, type unknown.

31 Aug 50 - Subject deserted because of the 21 Aug 50 incident. He was accused of sabotaging the division’s effort and was scheduled to be tried.

13th Div (other Div's, unknown) objective is TAEGU. Route of march would be via TAEGU-SANGJU Highway. Subject heard that objective of 2nd Corps, of which the 13th Div was a part, would start an offensive with TAEGU as the objective. No information on plans.

Div Arty - Strength, unknown. 31 Aug 50, 20 Guns remaining. 10 x 122-mm Howitzers and 10 x 76-mm Guns.

b. Supply: Div unknown. 19th Regt was resupplied by 15 trucks. Div Supply trucks hauled food and ammunition to regimental supply dump (31 Aug 50, situated SON’GYO-DONG under a 2.5 meter long bridge on main highway) which was in turn transported by 15 regimental vehicles to battalions. Amount and frequency depended upon situation. The Regt was never short of ammunition. Standard unit of fire carried for each artillery piece was 60 rounds. 50% of regimental rations came from Div Supply. 50% was obtained locally.

c. Morale: Morale was high. Orders were obeyed without question. Replacements were eager to enter battle. There was no friction among the officers.

d. Replacements: 13th Div replacements came from SEOUL. Majority of troops had at least one month training. Usually, 50% of troops came armed with rifles. Repl Depot, unknown.

Observed 21 Aug 50, 5 x T-34/85 tanks. 4 destroyed on 21 Aug 50. One tank remained. Location, road junction east of YUHAK-SAN. 31 Aug 50 - Hearsay, 13th Div expecting arrival of undetermined number of heavy tanks, type unknown.

19th Regt - 717

21st Regt - 719

23rd Regt - 721

13th Div - 715

112th Ind HMG Bn - 123 (Oct 49)

1. Officers believed US will not actively participate in war.

2. Officers did hot expect heavy artillery or tanks.

3. After war started, newspapers printed articles saying victory would achieved by 15 Aug 50.

4. There has been no official word as to when liar was to be won,

5. No other information.