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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1621　4 October 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0972)　30 September 1950

PW was very cooperative and sincere. Surrendered after reading leaflet about UN invasion of INCH’ON. Not recommended for further interrogation.

2 Feb 50: PW inducted into NKPA CHUKCH’ON-NI (竹川里). Received basic training up to 21 Apr 50.

22 Apr 50: Arrived P’O-DONG (浦洞) Assigned to the 76mm Artillery Bn, 3rd Co.

24 Jun 50: Unit departed by truck crossing 38° parallel 25 Jun 50 and fought its way to KAESONG (開城) arriving o/a 8 Jul 50. Bn was redesignated 9th Div Arty Regt, with a total strength of approx 1,000 men.

12 Jul 50: PW departed by rail, arrived SEOUL 15 Jul 50. PW was stationed at the artillery school, located in the YONGSAN (龍山) section of SEOUL. On 18 Jul 50 approx 30 B-29s bombed the area and PW’s Regt lost approx 400 men killed or wounded, not counting the civilian casualties. The type of bomb described by PW seems to be antipersonnel bomb which took a terrific toll. Napalm and demolition bombs were also dropped. An ammo dump that was located in the area was also hit. Because of the number killed and wounded PW’s Regt received new replacements and had to start a training program for the replacements. PW was promoted to Sgt 6 Aug 50.

12 Aug 50: PW departed by truck via SUWON (水原) to CH'ONAN (天安) arrived 17 Aug 50.

18 aug 50: Departed by truck via CHOCH’IWON to TAEJON, arrived 22 Aug 50. PW’s Regt then was deployed alongside the mountain and spent approx a week repairing equipment.

29 Aug 50: PW departed by truck and arrived KOCH’ANG o/a 3 Sep 50. PW’s Regt spent another week KOCH’ANG. repairing equipment and trucks.

14 Sep 50: PW’s unit crossed NAKTONG River CH’OGYE (草溪) an fought its way down approx 5 km of YONGSAN (靈山).

18 Sep 50: PW artillery Regt started its retreat back across the NAKTONG River to regroup at KUMCH'ON (金泉) Arrived at KUMCH’ON 23 Sep 50. PW’s unit, the Command Co, prior to departure for TAEJON, was bombed in a tunnel by aircraft and approx 25 to 30 men were killed.

Communication Plt - 31 men

Div Artillery Regt - approx 1,000 men

Command Co - 50 officers, 1 M/Sgt, 1 Sr Sgt, 12 Sgts, 2 Jr Sgts, and 66 Pvts.

9th Arty Regt: Communication plt - 27 killed

Command Co - 35 killed, 5 wounded. Artillery Regt CO and staff missing. The Communication plt officer assumed command of the remaining troops and tried to get the troops to fall back to TAEJON regroup.

“PW’s Command Co”: 4 ea PPsh M1943 SMG, 1 ea TTM1933 TOKAREV pistols, 2 BC scope, 1 range finder, field glasses for officers.

Troop’s morale very low. The will to fight is gone. Majority of the troops are now fighting because of communist ideals, while the rest of the troops are fighting under pressure from whatever officers assumed command. PW saw leaflets and read about the invasion of INCHON. Majority of the officers left their units in charge of Sgts and escaped in vehicles. The sight of their officers fleeing created confusion among the troops. The phrase about the “Lord helps those who help themselves” prevailed among the troops.

For the Commanding Officer: