ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1256 22 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0853) 20 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | LEE, Yong (李榮) (리영) |
| RANK: | Sr Lt (大尉) |
| AGE: | 24 |
| DUTY: | Co Commander |
| UNIT: | 15th Div, 45th Regt, 3rd Bn, 7th Co |
| EDUCATION: | Agriculture School Grad (4 years), MANCHURIA |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | IMGO-Myon (1190-1450) 8 km NE of YONGCH’ON (1191-1452) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 14 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | MANCHURIA, CHINILIN, HUN CH’UN HSIEN (滿洲 東北 吉林省 琿春縣 寬仁区 八連城林) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same as above |
| INTERROGATOR: | Cpl HORISHIGE (ATIS) |
PW was cooperative and fairly intelligent. PW’s information conceived his battalion mostly. PW was wounded in the right foot. His information seemed fairly reliable. Not recommended for further interrogation,
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
27 Jan 46 - PW volunteered in the HUNCH'UN (琿春) Guard Unit at MANCHURIA. There were approximately 600 men in this Guard Unit. Those men worked in the collective farm most of the time. The 600 men received military training when there was no work. PW remained here until o/a 30 Oct 48.
O/a 30 Oct 48 - The HUNCH'UN Guard Unit was ordered to HSIN KING (新京), MANCHURIA. The Korean 11th Independent Div was organized by the Koreans residing in MANCHURIA. PW was attached to the 82-mm Mortor Co, 1st Regt, 11th Div. PW received training on 82-mm Mortar for about 3 months. PW was a squad leader. The troops worked in the farm when they were not training.
PW was promoted to Asst Plt Sgt in Jul 49.
O/a 30 Jul 49 - The 11th Ind Div (1st Inf Regt, 2nd Inf Regt and 3rd Inf Regt) departed HSINKING by train.
24 Aug 49 - The 11th Ind Div arrived NANAM (羅南) N. KOREA. PW was sent to the infantry school in P’YONGYANG. About 70 men who were mostly platoon sgt’s, asst plt sgt’s and squad loaders were sent to the Infantry School. The 11th Ind Div was later redesignated the 15th Div.
28 Aug 49 - Approx 70 men including PW arrived at the Inf Arty School in P’YONGYANG. The commander of the infantry School was Maj Gen CH’OE, Chong Hak (최종학). Most of the instructors were graduates of Japanese Universities. Subjects taught in the Infantry School were: close order drill, platoon tactics, army regulation, military courtesy, Russian military terms, manipulation of small arms (carbine to HMG) etc. PW fired 3 rounds with M1891/30 rifle.
20 May 50 - Approximately 700 men, including PW, graduated from the Infantry School. The 700 men were commissioned Jr Lt's upon graduation.
27 May 50 - PW was assigned to the Youth Military Training Center in NAJIN (羅津). PW took command of the 3rd Plt, 7th Co, 3rd Bn and trained the recruits for about a month.
O/a 27 Jun 50 - Approximately 2,500 men in the NAJIN Youth Military Training Center departed NAJIN by train.
O/a 30 Jun 50 - The 2,500 men arrived KUMHWA (金化) via HAMHUNG (咸興) and WONSAN (元山). From here the troops marched south.
O/a 20 Jul 50 - Approximately 8,000 men (later 15th Div) reached a mountain 4 km NW of UNSONG (隂城) via CH’UNCH’ON (春川) and YOJU (麗主). The 8,000 men fought against the ROK troops for 2 days.
? Aug 50 - The 8,000 strength unit which departed from NAJIN was designated as 15th Div, The 15th Div was composed of; 45th Regt, 48 Regt, 50th Regt and an Arty Regt.
The 45th Regt departed UMSONG and marched through the mountains. The 45th Regt reached YUHAK-SAN (1140-1460) N. of T’AEGU, via UISONG (義城) and KUNWI (軍威).
O/a 15 Aug 50 - Promoted to Lt. The 45th Regt and the 13th Div fought against the ROK troops for 2 days at YUHAK-SAN 30 km NNW of TAEGU. The 45th Regt departed for YONGCH'ON (永川). The 45th Regt received 400 replacements from N. KOREA while marching to YONCH'ON.
2 Sep 50 - Promoted to Sr Lt and took command of 7th Co.
9 Sep 50 - PW accidentally dropped hand grenade while marching during the night at 500 m W of IMGO-Myon and was wounded in the right foot and left hand. Was left behind.
10 Sep 50 - Walked to the village of IMGO-Myon and stayed in an abandoned house for 3 days by himself.
14 Sep 50 - Asked one of the Korean farmers to take a surrender message to the nearest ROK Hqs. The ROK Military Hqs in YONGCH'ON sent MP's to pick him up.
Unit Organization and Strength:
Original Strength:
45th Regt - 3 x infantry battalions (approx 650 men in each battalion).
- 45-mm AT Gun Co (approx 60 men. 6 x 45-mm AT Guns).
- 76-mm Regt Gun Co (approx 60 men. 4 x 76-mm Regt Guns).
- 120-mm Mortar Co (approx 60 men. 3 x 120-mm Mortars).
- Signal Co (approx 70 men).
- Sub-Machine Gun Co (approx 100 men. 20% armed with SMG’s. 80% armed with M1938 Carbines).
- Transportation Co - (approx 50 men 2 x ZlS trucks).
- Medical Co (3 medical officers and about 50 men).
- R & I Plt (approx 20 men).
Infantry Battalion:
- 3 x infantry companies (each company 150 men, 2 x HMG’s, 12 LMG's, and rifleman armed with M1891/30 rifles).
- HMG Co - 60 men. 9 x HMG's and remaining men armed with M1891/30 rifles.
- 82-mm Mortar Co - 60 men. 1 x 82-mm Mortar Remaining men armed with M1891/30 rifles.
- 45-mm AT Gun Plt - about 20 men. 2 x 45-mm AT Guns.
- AT Plt - about 20 men. 6 x AT Rifles.
- Signal Plt - about 18 men. 3 telephones.
- Medical Plt - about 8 men - 1 medical off.
- Supply Plt - about 12 men.
Last Known Composition of Unit: (as of 10 Sep 50)
PW knew only the strength of his battalion. 3rd Bn, 45th Regt.
7th Co - Approx 40 men, 1 x HMG and 1 LMG.
8th Co - Approx 45 men, no HMG, 2 x LMG.
9th Co - Approx 60 men, no HMG, 2 x HMG’s.
45-mm AT Gun Plt - 2 x 45-mm AT Guns.
AT Rifle Plt - 1 x AT Rifle.
Note: PW estimated that there were approx 205 remaining in the 3rd Bn.
Sell-Propelled Artillery:
PW observed 1 x SU-76 self-propelled artillery heading south at IMGO-Myon (8 km NW of YONHCH’ON) o/a 9 Sep 50.
Morale and Propaganda:
Morale of the troops dropped due to heavy casualties. PW believed that the Surrender Leaflets would be effective.
Personalities:
15th Div CO - PAK, Sang Ch'ol (박상철); Sr Col; Age 40
45th Regt CO - LEE, Ch'ol Yong (李哲竜) (리철용); Col; Age: about 32
3rd Bn CO - CHANG, Sok Kil (張錫吉) (장석길); Capt; Age: about 30
Special EEI:
No Chinese Communist troops nor USSR troops south of 38° Parallel.
Believes that the Chinese Communist troops will not be employed in this war.
No vessels or planes in N. KOREA to be utilized south of the 38° Parallel.
Believes that the USSR will not intervene in this war, because this war is a Civil War.
Believes that the S. Koreans will cooperate with the UN Forces when the occupied areas are retaken.
Believes more than 50% of the N. Koreans will cooperate with UN Forces because the N. Koreans want peace.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
