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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1167　19 September 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0797)　17 September 1950

PW was in good physical condition and of average intelligence. Captured 13 Sep 50 at YONGCH’ON by ROK unit. PW not recommended for further interrogation.

Assigned to 15th Div, 48th Regt, 76mm Howitzer Btry as a cook in early Jun 50 after 2 months basic training. Troops were told that they were leaving for a training mission and departed o/a 12 Jun 50 NAJIN (羅津) by train with 90 men and 4 x 76mm Howitzers. Arrived CH’ORWON D/U. Departed by foot and were attacked by 5 x F-80 aircraft. Six trucks destroyed and heard there were 10 dead and 20 wounded. Intervening dates and places forgotten. 7 Sep 50 arrived YONGCH'ON and hid in hills. After being shelled by artillery, most of the troops retreated. PW and others hid in hills for 6 days before being captured by a ROK unit. The whereabouts of other soldiers who were with PW unknown.

Original organization and strength: The 72mm Howitzer Btry had approx 90 men and was composed of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Plts.

Actual battle organization and strength: Same as above.

Last known composition of unit: There were 60 men in unit at YONGCH'ON but PW believes that the unit scattered there. No further information.

Roads: Roads were in poor condition and mountain trails were in better condition.

RR: Unknown.

Bridges: All RR bridges were destroyed. Highway bridges were also destroyed and rafts were used to ferry trucks or personnel.

Telephone, telegraph, etc: The artillery Btry was equipped with three (3) TAM field telephones and 1,200m of line. PW's 76mm Howitzer Btry had two wireless sets which were used to connect the OP and artillery group when the telephone lines were cut by air attacks.

The mission of the 15th Div was to take PUSAN via YONGCH'ON (永川) by 8 Sep 50. No further information.

Morale of PW's Co was high as they were told that the war would end in the near future if the NKPA captured PUSAN. Troops were quite fatigued due to the long march through the mountains and lack of food. No leaflets or safe conduct passes were observed. The plt ldr and sqd ldrs pointed out the dead NKPA soldiers along the roads, during their march, and told the troops that these NKPA soldiers were not killed in action but killed after they had surrendered. They were also told how President Sygman RHEE has sold the ROK to the American invaders and the population of ROK were suffering. Morale of troops became low after 8 Sep 50 when they learned that PUSAN had not yet been captured.

For the Commanding Officer: