ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1741 9 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 1052) 6 October 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | KO, Yon Su (高鍊洙) (고연수) |
| RANK: | Lt (中尉) |
| AGE: | 23 |
| DUTY: | Aide to 2nd Div CG |
| UNIT: | 2nd Div Hq (Code No 235) |
| EDUCATION: | Primary School (6 yrs) Middle School (4 yrs) |
| OCCUPATION: | Student |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 4 km north of POUN (報恩) (1070-1510) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 30 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HAMGYONG-NAMDO, HONGWON-GUN, HONGWON-MYON, NAMSANCHUNG-NI, #50 (咸鏡南道 洪原郡 洪原面 南山中里 #50) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same as above |
| INTERROGATOR: | Lt Col PILLIOD (ATIS) |
PW was cooperative. Was well informed concerning certain high ranking generals. Only limited knowledge of unit organization. Not recommended for further interrogation.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
8 Jan 49: Inducted and assigned clerk 3rd Brigade (3157). Stationed in SARIWON.
23 Jun 49: 7th Brigade moved by rail from SARIWON to CHUKCH'ON.
8 Oct 49: Promoted to Jr Lt and assigned aide to CG, 7th Brig, Maj Gen CH'OE Hyon (崔賢).
23 Jun 50: 7th Brigade moved to 38° parallel. Prepared to attack ONGJIN.
26 Jun 50: 7th Brigade took ONGJIN. Accompanied CG on inspection of area.
27 Jun 50: Maj Gen CH'OE Hyon recalled to P'YONGYANG where he received orders to take command of the 2nd Div. PW accompanied general.
29 Jun 50: Maj Gen CH'OE Hyon relieved Maj Gen LEE Chung Song.
15 Jul 50: 2nd Div advanced to CH'ONGJU.
3 Aug 50: 2nd Div by-passed TAEJON and arrived KUMCH'ON.
25 Aug 50: 2nd Div rested, reorganized and received replacements (PW did not know replacement strength) both North and South Korean volunteers.
28 Aug 50: 2nd Div advanced to HYOCH'ON (陜川).
1 Sep 50: One Regt crossed the NAKTONG River.
13 Sep 50: 2nd Div leading elements entered CH'ANGNYONG (昌寧).
14 Sep 50: 2nd Div began withdrawal from CH'ANGNYONG. Total Div strength approx 500.
16 Sep 50: Withdrew across NAKTONG River. Forced to fight constant rear guard action.
22 Sep 50: Arrived HYOPCH'ON, retreated north.
25 Sep 50: At point in mountains approx 12 kms NW of HYOPCH'ON. Forced to abandon all trucks and equipment and retreat to mountains. Div CG became ill. CG plus 10 staff officers retreated toward POUN (報恩).
28 Sep 50: CG and party arrived 10 km N of POUN. From 26 Sep to 28 Sep group collected fifty 2nd Div and one hundred and fifty 3rd Div men. Group had approx 80 rifles, 20 SMGs, 20 to 30 hand grenades and carried only the rounds in the weapon. Maj Gen CH'OE Hyon ordered everyone to travel only in the mountains and to move NNW across the 38° parallel. He issued no orders for subsequent action after crossing the 38° parallel. CG stated UN troops would not cross the 38° parallel. If UN troops did cross the 38th and USSR or CHINA did not send forces to help, North KOREA must give up. PW left group night of 28 Sep to surrender.
Unit History and Personalities:
Name: LEE, Ik Song (李益成) (이익성)
Rank: Maj Gen
Position: CG, 7th Div
Remarks: 40 yrs old, educated in MANCHURIA. Wounded near SEOUL when car hit a mine (slight wound). Lt Gen KANG, Kon C/S NKPA killed in same vehicle.
7th Div organized just prior to 24 Jun 50 from the 7th Brigade Security Forces which had been located at INJE. LEE, Ik Song had been 7th Brigade CG for approx 2 yrs. A good friend of KIM Il Song.
Name: CH'OE, Hyon
Rank: Maj Gen
Age: 45
Position: CG, 2nd Div
Remarks: No formal education. From the age of 9 Manchuria Central China Communist party messenger. At the age of 16 he was captured by Nationalist troops and interned for 3 years. At age of 19 he was tried and released and rejoined the Communists and fought the Japanese as a guerrilla. 1941 he had to leave MANCHURIA and went to KHABAROVSK with KIM Il Song. Took military training from Russians. Returned to KOREA with KIM Il Song in Oct 45.
CH'OE Hyon took charge of Youth training Hq at KANGGYE Jul 46. Organized youth group into 2nd Regt. Regt CO. Jul 1948 became CG of 3rd Brigade at SARIWON. Jun 29 transferred to 2nd Div as CG. PW states that CH'OE Hyon was well known by the Japanese as a guerrilla.
Name: KANG, Kon (姜健) (강건)
Rank: Lt Gen
Position: C/S
Remarks: Age 37 yrs. NKPA Chief of Staff from about Jan 47 to 8 Aug 50. Travelling in vehicle which hit a road mine near SEOUL and was killed. Accompanying him at that time was CH'OE Hyon, CG of 2nd Div who was wounded.
Name: KIM, Ung (金雄) (김웅)
Rank: Lt Gen
Age: About 40
Position: C/S NKPA
Remarks: Nov 46 1st Div CG at P'YONGYANG. Later (Date unk), became Operations officer, Army Hq. Jun 50 appointed Ⅱ Corps CG. 16 Aug 50 made C/S NKPA as Lt Gen. PW thinks KIM, Ung still living.
Name: LEE, Kwon Mu (李權무) (이권무)
Rank: Lt Gen
Position: Prior to 16 Aug 50, Maj Gen, commanding 4 Div. 16 Aug 50 became CG Ⅱ Corps, Lt Gen.
Name: CH'OE, Kwang (崔光) (최광)
Rank: Maj Gen
Age: 42
Position: 1st Div, CG
Remarks: 30 Jul 50 was relieved of command.
Name: CH'OE, Pong Ch'ol (崔鳳哲) (최봉철)
Rank: Sr Col
Age: 32
Position: 2nd Div Cultural officer
Remarks: Was with 2nd Div from 46 until 15 Sep 50 when he was transferred, place unknown. Spoke English, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese. He always interrogated UN PWs taken by 2nd Div during the operation. Took approx 50 UN PWs. PWs were believed to have been sent to P'YONGYANG by truck.
Name: HYON, P'a (玄波) (현파)
Rank: Sr Col
Position: 2nd Div Chief of Staff. Killed 16 Sep 50.
Russian Advisors:
Name: YARSHENKO (야르쉔코)
Rank: Maj
Age: 40
Position: 3rd Brigade artillery advisor
Remarks: He was with the brigade from approx Jun 49 to Apr 50 at which time he returned to RUSSIA. Nationality - Ukrainian. Wife's name (KATCHA).
Name: SHIMONINKO (쉬모니코)
Rank: Maj
Age: 45
Position: 3rd Brigade artillery advisor
Remarks: Mar 50 returned to RUSSIA.
Name: KIM Il (金一) (김일)
Rank: Sr Col
Age: 29
Position: Div Arty CO
Remarks: Middle school education
Name: LEE, Kyon Nam (이견남)
Rank: Sr Col
Age: 35
Position: 2nd Div Regt CO
Remarks: Graduate of Japanese university. At one time prisoner of Japanese in MANCHURIA. 1946 entered N. KOREA and joined the 2nd Div.
Morale:
PW stated in the beginning morale was high but after sustained air attacks and due to lack of resupply morale gradually fell.
4. GENERAL:Psychological Factors:
1. In the beginning the troops thought that they were only on maneuvers. There was no talk of attacking South KOREA. Troops mostly feared air-attacks. PW had not heard the 2nd Div CG mention the entry of RUSSIA or the Chinese communists in the war, however they thought that they might receive help. However they all felt that it was a war between N. KOREA and S. KOREA and that other countries would not interfere. PW feels that a large percentage of NKPA soldiers would surrender if they could. Thinks possibly the use of a NKPA officer would be the best way of getting to them.
2. Effect of UN propaganda as compared with NK propaganda: PW had a surrender leaflet when he surrendered. Saw his first leaflet in Aug. Prior to this, upon hearing the UN participation in the war they knew NKPA could not win. Soldiers were not allowed to read leaflets. The most effective NK propaganda was the unification of KOREA; that the war was nothing but a fight between the North and South Koreans and that it was comparable to the US Civil War and no matter how much the UN helped the S. Koreans N. KOREA would win as N. KOREA was right.
3. Effect of UN air activity: Death among troops by air attack was slight, however the air attack hindered tactical movement and destroyed morale.
4. Superiors continually ordered attacks and the soldiers tried to obey. They did not question their superior's orders.
There was no food, clothing and very little ammunition. Transportation could only move at night. Very little disease, just complete exhaustion from lack of food and sleep. PW heard the CG, CH'OE, Hyon issue orders that UN PWs should be given special treatment. They were to be given food and sent to Div Hq at once. From Div they were sent to SEOUL. PW observed PW treatment at Div Hq. Maj Gen CH'OE Hyon enforced his orders regarding good treatment.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
