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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1428　27 September 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0898)　24 September 1950

PW seemed to be in good physical condition. His desertion, as described in the chronology, has motivated by a desire to live and a reluctance to kill native Koreans, even though they were considered enemies of the NKPA.

24 Jul 50 - Inducted into the NKPA 1st Div, 3rd Replacement Regt, 2nd Bn, 7th Co, 1st Plt at SEOUL. Received 15 days basic training.

14 Aug 50 - Upon completion of training, 2nd Bn (numbering approx 500) departed SEOUL for the front. At the time, the 1st and 3rd Bns were stationed at TONAM-DONG (敦岩洞). Enroute to the front, the PW developed a severe headache at ICH'ON(利川). He was hospitalized in a civilian hospital for 2 days.

18 Aug 50 - PW and 13 others were released to rejoin their respective units. They travelled by truck through UMSONG (陰城), CH'UNGJU (忠州) and TANYANG (丹陽). Upon arriving at YONGJU (榮州) he was hospitalized for 8 days at the 18th Internal Medicine Hospital in YONGJU.

28 Aug 50 - After being released from the hospital, PW continued by truck and foot, arriving at SUDONG, on 30 Aug 50. The route taken was through ANDONG, UISONG and KUNWI (軍威).

At SUDONG, the 2nd Bn, 3rd Regt, 1st Div could not be located so PW was assigned as an ammunition bearer in the Mortar Co, 3rd Bn, 3rd Regt, 1st Div. For the next two weeks the 1st Plt, which was composed mostly of men with combat experience, took further training in the field, but the 2nd and 3rd Plts, mostly replacements, carried ammunition. PW was promoted to Jr Sgt in SUDONG.

16 Sep 50 - An engagement began between ROK Forces and the mortar company which was supporting 200-odd riflemen, who were dug in on a hill. The following day, 17 Sep 50, they were forced to withdraw to another hill in the rear. On 18 Sep 50, although the supply of ammunition was adequate, it was found that there was an acute shortage of fuzes. PW and a comrade were detailed to get a supply from the rear. As soon as they were out of sight of their unit they deserted to the enemy.

Original organization and strength: (2nd Bn, 3rd Repl Regt, 1st Div as of 14 Aug 50)

5th Co - 130 officers and EM

6th Co - 120 officers and EM

7th Co - 144 officers and EM

8th Co - 125 officers and EM

Others, unknown

Last known composition of unit:

1st Plt - 1 officer and 19 EM (mortarmen)

2nd Plt - Same as above (ammunition bearers)

3rd Plt - Same as 1 Plt (ammunition bearers)

Mortar Co:

3 × 82-mm M1937 Mortars

5 × rifles

CO, 2nd Bn 3rd Regt - HAN, Kwang Sop (咸光燮); Maj (少佐)

The morale of the Mortar Co, was fairly high at the time of surrender, due to the men being told by the officersm that T'AEGU and PUSAN were already occupied by NKPA and that it was just a matter of days until they would be in T'AEGU. For reasons unknown, he doubted this information. Besides, he had read US propaganda leaflets on two occasions which led him to believe that he would be treated well.

Enroute to the front, the PW saw 15 ROK PsW at ICH'ON who, according to hearsay, were enroute to. SEOUL.

For the Commanding Officer: