포로신문
보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1008　11 September 1950

FIELD REPORT (164 - LDI - 0786)　9 September 1950

Cooperative. Information limited because PW was in 8th Div only one day and in NKPA only one month. He received almost no training. Civil occupation: Student.

Further interrogation by higher headquarters not necessary.

NKPA Volunteer Army 2nd Regiment, 1st Bn, 2nd Co, 3rd Plt Leader: LEE, Chung Kuk (李春國) (이춘국) Jr Lieutenant, Age: 21. (NOTE: The above-mentioned 2nd Regiment, Volunteer Army was a temporary unit organized for purpose of obtaining South Korean civilians as replacements for NKPA, 8th Division).

Inducted on 25 Jul 50 at SEOUL into NKPA Volunteer Army, 2nd Regt, 1st Bn, 2nd Co, 3rd Plt, 4th Sqd. Received one week close order drill training at TONGSONG Middle School in SEOUL.

Departed SEOUL on 10 Aug 50, marched, crossed HAN River by ferry and arrived with entire 2nd Regiment, Volunteer Army (composed of 1,200 conscripts from South KOREA) in KWANGJU (1012 - 1632) on 11 Aug. Departed KWANGJU on 11 Aug 50, marched, with Volunteer Army’s 2nd Regiment, arrived in ICHON (1043 - 1609) on 12 Aug 50.

Departed ICHON 12 Aug 50, marched, arrived CHANGHOWON-NI 13 Aug 50.

Departed CHANGHOWON-NI 13 Aug 50, marched, arrived CHUNGJU o/a 15 Aug 50.

Departed CHUNGJU o/a 15 Aug 50, marched, arrived TANYANG o/a 17 Aug 50.

Departed TANYANG o/a 18 Aug 50, marched, arrived in YONGJU o/a 18 Aug 50.

Departed YONGJU o/a 19 Aug 50, marched, arrived ANDONG o/a 19 Aug 50.

Departed ANDONG o/a 24 Aug 50, marched, arrived UISONG o/a 25 Aug 50.

Departed UISONG o/a, 25 Aug 50, marched, arrived UIHUNG o/a 27 Aug 50.

Departed UIHUNG o/a 27 Aug 50, marched, arrived at a point approximately 17 Km southeast of UIHONG on UIHUNG - YONGCHON road on 31 Aug 50, where the 2nd Regiment, Volunteer Army (composed of 1,200 replacements) was de-activated and men incorporated into 8th Division NK Peoples Army. PW joined 3rd Plt, 1st Co, 2nd Bn, 2nd Regt, 8th Div, as a medic (each platoon has one medic assigned to it).

Departed from point approximately 17 Km SE of UISHUNG on 31 Aug 50. PW’s company attacked ROK units approximately 8 Km north YONGCHON on 1 Sep 50. At this time PW deserted with three riflemen who had been forced into NKPA at the same time as PW. They proceeded southward until they met an ROK Guard approximately 4 Km north of YONGCHON where upon PW and three "buddies" surrendered immediately on 2 Sep 50.

Observed two (2) medium tanks and two (2) SP-Guns approximately 2 Km south ot UIHUNG o/a 27 Aug 50.

Observed four (4) empty 2½ ton trucks at UISONG o/a 25 Aug 50. Observed two (2) ox-carts carrying rice about 4 Km north of UIHUNG on the UIHUNG - UISONG road o/a 26 Aug 50.

Food and ammo is brought from rear echelon by truck, ox-carts, "A" Frames, and by simply strapping supplies to civilians’ backs.

Route unknown.

PW was one of approx 1,200 South Koreans conscripted into NKPA as replacements for 8th Division. PW stated that all young men in areas that communists claim to "liberate" are being forced into "Volunteer Units" to become NKPA replacements. When persons are separated from parent NKPA unit during combat they are incorporated into nearest NKPA unit. PW received no instructions to this effect but observed instances of such action.

PW heard rumors among NKPA EM that CCF will send troops to aid NKPA if NKPA cannot win by itself. No rumors of Soviet troops giving aid were heard. No orders pertaining to surrender were received.

Objective of 8th Div was YONGCHON on 31 Aug 50.

Morale of all 2nd Bn men was low because of shortage of ammo, food and equipment. Furthermore morale of replacements was even lower because they had not received communist indoctrination.

Captured equipment is used by the unit capturing it. Only unserviceable equipment is sent to the rear where it is repaired and then sent back to the front-lines to replace lost NKPA equipment.

Hearsay: Rumor was that American PW’s are sent North of 38th parallel to NKPA internment camps.

PW stated that South Koreans are becoming disgusted with NKPA "liberators". PW was told when conscripted that "Volunteer Army" was to be a rear echelon guard unit, but actually it was a replacement organization. "That is typical of NKPA deceit," PW said.

Observed leaflets dropped by UN aircraft over SEOUL o/a 10 Jul 50. Did not read leaflets.

M/Sgt AVISON

For the AC of S, G-2: