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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1095　16 September 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0753)　13 September 1950

PW cooperative, information considered reliable. PW’s plt ldr and Co commander were wounded. PW was then given order by rifle Co Commander to take his HMG Sqd and proceed to the YONGCH’ON (永川) KYONGJU (慶州) Road. PW with 5 of his men and 1 HMG started for the KYONGJU Road when they were attacked by fighter aircraft, approx 3/4 km S of YOUGCH’ON. PW and his men took cover in a wooded area and after the attack PW couldn't find his men. He then tried to proceed along road toward KYONGJU when about 1½ km from point of first aircraft attack, PW was captured by ROK troops, 9 Sep 50. Not recommended for further interrogation.

PW was told to join the army sometime in Oct 48 by a representative of the peoples committee. PW left home 21 Oct 48 by train and arrived in NANAM (羅南) 25 Oct 48. He was then inducted into the NKPA with approx 100 new recruits. PW received approx 2 months of basic training, with emphasis placed on HMG at that time. The people's army advisors were Russian M/Sgts and officers. The highest rank seen by PW was a Russian major. After basic training PW was assigned to the 2nd Div, 6th Regt, HMG Bn, 1st Plt, 2nd Sqd. “Artillery Regts” were not part of any given Div. They were dispatched to different sectors or temporarily attached to Div according to situations.

PW left by train from HANAM 2 Jan 49 with the 2nd Div for duty in HAMHUNG (咸興). After 15 months of further training, PW was ordered to report to NAJIN GUN (羅津). PW left by train 5 Mar 50 - arrived at NAJIN GUN 12 Mar 50. PW was reassigned to the HMG Bn, 45th Regt, 15th Div stationed in NAJIN GUN. Bn had 12 x MG. The whole of the 15th Div left NAJIN GUN in Jun 50 by train for its new station KUMHWA (金化) arrived latter part of Jun 50. The 15th Div was then ordered to move immediately to the YONCH’ON (永川) sector north of the 38th parallel the day they arrived in KUMHWA. The 15th Div then proceeded by electric train to the YONGCH’ON Area 26 Jun 50 and then crossed the 38th parallel with approx 10,000 men with CH’UNCH’ON (春川) as its objective.

After finding that CH’UNCH’ON area was devastated the 15th Div then moved toward YOJU (驪州). From YOJU the 15th Div fought its way down to KUMCH'ON (金泉), then on to WAEGWAN (倭館). Fighter aircraft strafing was first encountered near CH'ONGJU (淸州). The 15th Div then travelled north from KUMCH’ON (金泉) and crossed the NAKTONG River somewhere in the SONSAN (善山) area. The 15th Div then headed due south along the east side of the NAKTONG River to the WAEGWON front for the attack on TAEGU (大邱). Part of the 3rd Div joined the 15th Div in their offensive against TAEGU 20 Aug 50.

The 15th Div sustained heavy losses from aircraft and UN ground forces and lost approx 2/3 of its original strength. The 15th Div then retired to the KUNWI (軍威) Area. New replacements were received somewhere between KUNWI and UIHUNG (義興). The replacements were very poorly trained. The training averaged 3 to 5 days. The 15th Div regrouped and with a total strength of approx 5,000 men headed for the YONGCH’ON front, where PW was captured 9 Sep 50.

15th Div approx 5,000 men, HMG Co 20 men, Sqd 5 men. Prior to YONGCH’ON battle.

2 x MAXIM HMG M1910 in 3rd Bn prior to YONGCH’ON battle. Originally a HMG Co consists of 12 x HMG, RG-42 and F-1 grenades and M1891/30 rifles. 3 x DP LMG in a plt. 6 x 120mm M1943 in a Regt. 4 x 45mm M1942 AT gun. 12.7mm DShk M1938, GAZ-51 trucks.

45th Regt Headquarters located 10 km N of YONGCH’ON on side of hill.

15th Div's objective YONGCH’ON then to KYONGJU, then along east coast down to PUSAN.

Troop morale very low. Troops feeling of winning the war very pessimistic. Food situation very critical. PW did not see any propaganda leaflets. PW heard about them. Reasons for troops low morale was due to aircraft bombing of strategic areas, cutting off of supplies and the food situation. Also the lack of air cover and the fear of fighter aircraft strafing.

Roads very bad, RR bridges bombed in strategic areas.

For the Commanding Officer: