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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1983　24 October 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 1154)　15 October 1950

Educated in P’YONGYANG Technical School (College) for 3 years. Of above average intelligence, very ambitious and observant. PW was cooperative and did not hesitate to answer all questions. From all indications, his information is reliable,

Surrendered to the UN troops after the Bn CO deserted the unit with 80 men.

8 Jul 50 - Inducted into NKA at P’YONGYANG. Assigned to Maintenance Sqd, 1st Armored Bn, 17th Armored Brigade. Did some preventive maintenance on tanks for 1 month 10 days. Brigade activated on 10 Jul 50.

10 Aug 50 - 17th Brigade was redesignated 17th Armored Div.

28 Aug 50 - 1st Armored Bn, 17th Armored Div arrived YONGJU (榮州) with a strength of 170 men and 23 x T-34/85 Med tanks.

2 Sep 50 - Arrived, UISONG (義城). Enroute, lost 3 tanks due to UN aerial attacks. Remained at UISONG for a month.

UN Forces started to attack from UIHUNG (義興). 1st Armored Bn deployed their tanks at KUSAN-Dong (九山洞) (3 tanks), UIHUNG (2 tanks), KUNWI (軍威) (4 tanks). The remaining 11 tanks were taken to the hills and camouflaged.

23 Sep 50 - Orders to withdraw were issued and all the tanks were returned to UISONG. Lost approximately 30 men. Total strength reduced to 140 men and 16 tanks.

25 Sep 50 - Arrived ANDONG (安東). Enroute, lost 10 tanks to aerial attack by US F-51’s.

26 Sep 50 - Arrived YONGJU (榮州). Enroute, lost 2 more tanks. All men were ordered to hide in a tunnel and the tanks were to be camouflaged. The drivers, gunners, and tank commanders were assembled and the Bn CO told the troops that they were going after replacement tanks, in TAN YANG (丹陽), 80 men left within the Bn CO and never returned, The 60 men who remained behind discovered that they had been deserted.

27 Sep 50 - Tried to locate the UN Forces in order to surrender Approximately 0800 hrs, surrendered to the ROK’s 21st Regt.

Original Strength:

17th Armored Div was composed to 1st and 2nd Inf Bns, Engr Bn, 1st and 2nd Armored Bn, self-propelled Gun Bn, and 76-mm AT Gun Bn,

CHONG, Pir U (鄭필우)

Maj Gen (少將)

About 40

17th Armored Div Commanding General

Served in Russian Army as a tankman. In World War II, fought in Berlin, GERMANY. Came back to North KOREA in 45 and served in the Security Force until 10 Jul 50, when the 17th Armored Brigade was activated

KANG, Hui Il (姜熙一)

Maj (少佐)

Age u/k

1st Armored Bn CO

45 x T-34/85 Medium Tank

40 x SU-76 SP Arty

10 x 12.7-mm DSHK M1938

10 x 45-mm AT Gun

4 x 76-mm AT Gun

1 x 122-mm M1910/30 Howitzer

6 x 120-mm Mortar

6 x Maxim HMG M1910

27 x DP IMG

T-34/85 Medium tanks were equipped with IMS (PMC) radio-telephone.

The common defect of T-34/85 Medium tanks were:

1. Worn or broken transmission gear

2. Slipping steering clutch

3. Worn pistons, piston rings and cylinder sleeves

When engine were worn they were replaced with new or rebuilt engines. Engines were rebuilt in RUSSIA.

Periodic inspections are given all the tanks in the rear as preventive measures. Fuel injectors are replaced or cleaned and retimed when necessary. Track shoes were replaced frequently due to breakage and wear. The spare track shoes were carried on the front of the tank. Other spare track shoes were carried on trucks.

The 1st Armored Bn was located in P’UNGGI (豐基) as of 26 Sep 50.

PW estimated 90% of the losses inflicted on the 1st Armored Bn was caused by air activity.

For the Commanding Officer: