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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1048　14 September 1950

FIELD REPORT (164 - MISDI - 0790)　10 September 1950

Information seems reliable.

a. 2nd Squad - 9 men - Weapons & Equipment:

Sqd Ldr - PPSH 1941 SMG, 2 x 72 rd magazine Ass’t Sqd ldr - DP LMG, amount of ammo unk. Three (3) riflemen- 3 x M1891/30 rifles, 70 rounds per rifle.

Ammo Bearers - No weapons. Armed troops were given two (2) hand-grenades each. When weapons became available the ammo bearers were reclassified as riflemen.

b. 1st Plt (3 rifle sqds) - Twenty six (26) men Weapons & Equipment: F1

Plt Leader - 1 x TT 1936 pistol Asst plt Ldr - 1 x PPSH 1941 SMG

c. 7th Co (3 rifle plts, 1 x HMG Plt) - 150 men. Weapons & Equipment:

HMG Plt - 2 x 1910 HMG's Between 400 to 500 per HMG.

d. 3rd Bn (3 x rifle Co’s, 1 x Mort Co) - 500 troops

(1) HMG Company

(1) Signal Platoon

(1) Medical Platoon

(1) AT Platoon

(1) AT Rifle Platoon

(1) Supply Platoon

Weapons & Equipment:

9 x 82mm M1937 Mortars, 40 rounds per Mortar

2 x 45m M1937 AT Guns, amount of ammo unknown

9 x 14.5 mm PTRD-41 AT Rifles. Amount of ammo unknown.

2 x Horse drawn wagons.

e. 8th Regt - 1700 troops:

3 x Rifle Bns

l x 120mm Mortar Co

1 x 45 AT Gun Co

1 x Signal Company

1 x 76mm Howitzer Co

1 x AA MG Platoon

1 x Engr Platoon

1 x Recon Platoon

3 x Radio Transmitter 4R (RBS-40)

4 x M1927 76mm Howitzers

4 x 120mm Mortars Landmines & mine detectors VIM-203, (number unk)

2 x Motorcycles

10 x 2½ ton trucks

4 x 12.7 mm M1938 AA MG’s

f. 3rd Div - 10,000 troops:

3 x Rifle Regts (7th Regt, code 389) (8th Regt, code 383) (9th Regt, code 377)

1 x Self Propelled Gun Unit

1 x Tank Unit

1 x Arty Unit

1 x Motorcycle Unit

1 x Engr Unit

1 x AA Unit

1 x Field Hospital Unit

Weapons & Equipment included unknown number of SU -76 Self Propelled Guns, T-34/85 Tanks, Motorcycles with sidecar attachment and 37mm AA Guns.

The 8th Regt (383 unit) on 7 Sep 50, was located on a mountain 6 Kms Southwest of WAEGWAN. The Regt was preparing defensive positions.

The 9th Regt (383 unit) was located on a hill 3 Kms West of the 8th Regt & about 4 Kms South of WAEGWAN, also preparing defensive positions.

The 7th Regt (389 unit) was located in the hills east of the 8th. Regt.

The self propelled guns and tanks supporting the 3rd Div were in camouflaged revetments 500 meters east or the NAKTONG River and 4 Kms south of WAEGWAN.

The Division AA Unit was located 12 Kms West of the NAKTONG River. The AA Unit was believed to be defending the 3rd Div's supply dump.

Inducted 3 Jul 50 at PYONGYANG, SUNGHUN with 300 others and was sent to SEOUL by train on the same date. On 4 Jul 50, the 300 inductees were dispatched as replacement troops to the 8th Regt, 3rd Div.

The replacements left SEOUL, on 5 Jul 50, and marched by night following the main highway to TAEJON.

From TAEJON, passed through MUJU, KUMCHON and arrived at the NAKTOND River 4 Kms South of WAEGWAN on 24 Aug 50.

Crossed the NAKTONG River on 24 Aug 50, and arrived at 8th Regt’s sector on 4 Sep 50. Divided equally among infantry companies.

The replacement troops were used chiefly as ammo & food carriers. They were given weapons only when available, By 7 Sep 50 about 50% of the replacements received weapons.

When captured the informant had deserted his unit.

The 8th Regt lost most of its artillery & heavy mortars when they retreated from WAEGWAN, 3 Sep 50.

The informant saw only two (2) 82mm mortars in the 8th Regt after 3 Sep 50.

The 8th Regt lived off the land.

The Division's ammo supply was located on the West bank of the NAKTONG River 4 Kms South of WAEGWAN. The ammo was brought to the frontline troops by ammo bearers on A frames. The ammo bearers crossed the NAKTONG River at a point 4 kms South of WAEGWAN, using an under - water bridge 5 meters wide. The under water bridge was constructed of sandbags about 2 ft below the surface of the water. The bridge was strong enough to support tanks and trucks.

Up until 7 Sep 50, each rifle company received about 6,000 rounds of small arms ammo daily. (ammo was sufficient)

The wounded of the 8th Regt were not evacuated to the rear because of the lack of personnel. Wounded troops were given first aid and left alone to look after themselves. Most of the wounded died from the lack of medical care.

Wounded troops after recovery are usually returned to their unit for front line duty.

When separated from parent organization, the men had to work their way back. They could join adjacent units only upon the acceptance of the unit commander.

The mission of the 3rd Div (7th, 8th & 9th Regts) was to take WAEGWAN by attacking from the Southern flank.

Elements of the 15th Division were on the left flank of the 3rd Division. After occupying WAEGWAN the 3rd Div was to advance to TAEGU.

The troops were told never to surrender because if they did, US Forces would shoot them.

Informant was told to conceal information if captured.

The morale of the troops was said to be very low on account of:

a. Daily attacks by aircraft.

b. Lack of food and prior training.

c. Propaganda leaflets.

d. Fatigue & desertions.

The troops are able to fight only because of strong discipline maintained by the NCO's and officers.

About 100 US PW's were observed in TAEJON during the latter part of Aug 50.

Informant heard that the PW's were either taken to SEOUL or PYONGYANG for internment.

For the AC of S, G-2: