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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1141　17 September 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0779)　16 September 1950

PW seemed to be in good physical condition and in good spirits. PW stated that he was a member of the Communist Youth Organization since Sep 49 but did not attend lectures due to illness. 11-13 Sep 50 the 15th Div, 2 km North of YONGCH'ON (永川), was practically annihilated and the 48th Regt was surrounded by ROK forces while retreating. PW and 4 others lost their way and just kept walking until they were spotted by refugees. The refugees notified the ROK Army and all 5 men including PW were captured. Not recommended for further interrogation.

Inducted 15 Apr 50 in NKPA at HAMGYONG PUKTO, KYONGSONG GUN, CHUNAM MYON, HAEMUNT’AN KWANG. Assigned to 15th Div, 48th Regt, Engr Plt same day at HOERYONG (會寧). 4,000 men in 48th Regt. Two month engineer training. Received carbine. Departed HOERYONG 21 Jun 50 by train. Arrived KUMHWA (金化) 25 Jun 50 with 15th Div. Received 70 rounds. No subsequent issue. Departed KUMHWA 26 Jun on foot. Arrived HONGCH’ON (洪川) D/U. Arrived YOJU (驪州) D/U.

15th Div suffered heavy casualties due to artillery fire. Number of casualties unknown. Reinforced by artillery Regt of 1st Div. Arrived CHANGHOWON-NI (長胡院里) D/U. Departed on foot. One day combat Attacked by 4 x F-80 type aircraft. Heavy casualties suffered. Arrived CH’ONGJU (淸州) D/U. Departed by foot. Arrived CHOCH’IWON (鳥致院) D/U. Departed by foot over mountains. D/U at point 24 km West of SANGJU (尙州) engaged with UN forces. PW heard that the 1st Bn of 48th Regt was annihilated.

Arrived KUNWI D/U. One night of combat. Casualties unknown. The 15th Div received replacements. Total number of replacements unknown but there ware six for PW's unit, the Engineer platoon. 11 Sep 50 arrived at hill located 2 km N of YONGCH'ON with entire 15th Div. There were less than 4,000 men in the 48th Regt. Engaged ROK units from 12 2300 Sep until morning of 13 Sep 50. ROK artillery severely shelled 15th Div and opened fire on retreating column of the 15th Div. The Div was almost annihilated. The 48th Regt surrounded by ROK forces scattered.

The 48th, 49th, 50th Regts were called CHALCHISO (찰지소), PALCH‘ISO (팔치소) and KUCHISO (구치소) by the plt ldr.

PW’s unit, the engineer plt, was equipped with nine diggers (?), wire cutters, and three PPsh M1941 SMG. Others had carbines. No further information.

Roads & trails: PW travelled through dense woods and therefore condition of roads were unknown.

Bridges: All bridges were destroyed by air attacks and under water bridges made of send begs were utilized. No pontoon type rafts or bridges were used.

Telephone and wireless: Field telephones were used between the Regt Hqrs and Bn CPs and radios were used for communication between Regt Hqrs.

The mission of the 15th Div was to advance to KYONGJU (慶州) via YONGCH’ON (永川). Further information unknown.

The 15th Div, 12th Div and 8th Div were in the 2nd Corps.

48th Regt CO; SOHG Chong Sun (송종순), Lt Col.

Eng Plt ldr: NAM Myong Ch’un (남명준), Lt

Pld ldr was captured together with PW 13 Sep 50

2nd Corps CG: MU Chong (무정), rank unknown

Morale of the 15th Div's men was high during early part of war but fell as they neared YONGCH’ON due to lack of food, equipment and air raids. PW with one other soldier read UN leaflets asking the NKFA soldiers to come and join the UN forces. PW did not believe the leaflets as they were told that the ROK or UN forces would kill them. Soldiers were told that the ROK was in the wrong and it was easily seen as they had foreign invaders helping them in this Korean Civil War.

For the Commanding Officer: