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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2337　22 November 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - FWD - 0229)　20 November 1950

PW was intelligent and cooperative. Seemed sincere in his answers.

26 Sep 46: PW entered the PYONGYANG Political School in the former “SHOWA DENKO” offices in CHIWI-RI (智尉里). (This school was moved to PYONGYANG in 1948).

Mar 47: Graduated as an honor student (therefore commissioned a Sr Lt) and was sent to HOERYONG (會寧) where he became a Company Commander of the Security Forces Training School (保安幹部 訓練所), a basic training camp for the district.

Dec 47: PW reduced to M/Sgt due to faulty family background. Became Sgt in charge of moss, supply, etc.

1 Oct 48: 4th Div was formed in CHINNAMPO (鎭南浦) at this time and PW was attached to 16th Regt, 2nd Bn, HMG Co. Division took combat training here.

30 Sep 49: Commissioned Jr Lt (少尉) and was made a Platoon Commander of the HMG Co.

16 Jun 50: 4th Div left CHINNAMPO and proceeded to YONCHON (연천) area.

25 Jun 50: Crossed 38th Parallel.

3 Aug 50: Went as far south as NAKTONG River area near HYOPCHON (陜川) area.

30 Sep 50: PW transferred to 5th Regt, 1st Bn, HMG Co as Sr Lt (大尉) company commander. Co disintegrated as the men fled north in groups of fives and tons over the mountain ranges of the east.

28 Oct 50: Remnants of 5th Regt reformed in YONCHON area.

10 Nov 50: PW was captured by US Forces when he went to YONCHON to get supplies.

4th Div - Comprised remnants of 5th, 16th and 18th Regts and personnel of 4th Div Arty Regt.

5th Regt - Comprised remnants of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Bn. Strength before retreating - 1700 men. Present strength - 530 men.

16th Regt - Present strength - 1200 men.

18th Regt - Present strength - 1400 men.

1st Bn, 5th Regt - Present strength - 130 men. HMG Co - 7 men.

2nd Bn, 5th Regt - Present strength - 120 men.

3rd Bn, 5th Regt - Present strength - 140 men.

5th Regt Arty - Present strength - 70 men.

5th Regt Signal Co - Present strength - 20 men.

5th Regt Reconn Section - Present strength - 10 men.

5th Regt SMG Guard Sqd - Present strength - 10 men.

1st Bn, 5th Regt

60-70 rifles - 30 rounds per rifle

1 LMG

No HMG’s in 5th Regt:

No Arty pieces in 5th Regt

Ammunition was that which was brought north individually by the personnel or with Regimental Supply.

16th Regt

HMG - 2

82mm Mortar - 1

No Arty pieces

18th Regt

HMG - 2

82mm Mortar - 1

No Arty pieces

On or about 8 Nov 50, 18th Regt, 5th Div attacked CHORWON capturing some hand grenades and AT Rifle ammunition. Soon after, each man in the 1st Bn, 5th Regt was issued 7 hand grenades.

Disposition: On 3 Nov 50

4th Div Hq - HUP'YONG-NI (後坪里)

16th Regt Hq - Same as above

13th Regt Hq - Same as above

5th Regt Hq - YONG HANG NI

Disposition: On 9 Nov 50

18th Regt moved into CHORWON

16th Rogt moved into area west of CHORWON

5th Regt advanced southward to TAEGWANG-NI (大光里)

All communication between Division and Regt was by messenger.

To hide out in the mountains and und await the Peoples Army from CHINA who are now attacking from the North. 4th Div had no intention of participating in battle.

Elements of the 6th, 7th and 9th Divs are 9th Divs are still north of CHORWON.

6th Div was located in area around ICHON (尹川) and was an intact division of 3000 men. 7th and 9th contained about 1000 men each. As with PW’s regiments and division, PW believes that the Hq staff and guards came north intact with the commanders.

PAK, Sung Hwan (朴承煥), age - 28, Col (大佐) CO of 5th Regt, 4th Div.

Became CO in Sep 50 just as unit started to retreat from CCF in spring 1950.

Speaks very fluent Chinese and said to be from PEIPING vicinity. Presently in CHORWON area.

PAK, (朴), ago - 40, 4th Div CG - Maj Gen (少將). Became CG in Sop 1950 when starting to retreat northward. Presently in HUP YONG-NI area.

REE, Kwon Mu (李權武), age - 35, I Corps CG - General. Was 4th Div CG until becoming I Corps CG at end of Augtist. Presently somewhere in the mountains west of WONSAN. Came from RUSSIA in 1946 as a Captain. Very fluent in Russian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

According to the Culture Officer, over 672 fighters and a few light bombers made up the NK Air Force. Most of those were destroyed by bombing attacks on the PYONGYANG Airfield in mid-July. However, over 1000 airplanes were to be expected from RUSSIA and day.

Most of the officers who attended the Culture Officer’s lectures (Sr Lts and up were allowed to attend) believed those talks.

Though a report of the effects of this bombing was not disseminated to the men, PW heard, during a briefing that the B-29 raid on the area just north of the NAKTONG River resulted in the complete destruction of the 3rd Div as well as the 105th and 106th Tank Units.

PW witnessed the execution of KIM, Tong Muk (金東黙) Captain, executive officer of 1st Bn, 5th Regt, 4th Div on or about 25 Aug 50 by a pistol fired by the 4th Div Culture Officer, PAK, Kum Oh’ou (朴金哲). KIM was charged with doubting the Culture Officer's word and making derogatory statements to that effect.

All officers of the 5th Regt above Sr Lts (大尉) were witnesses. Execution took place in the mountains of SIN BAN-NI (新反里) near the NAKTONG River. The body was buried at the spot with a bullet through the forehead.

The general feeling was that KIM got a raw deal and the punishment was too severe. It was known that KIM did not receive any trial.

PW knows of 17 other officers (including one M/Sgt) who were executed from mid-August to September in the 4th Div for reasons similar to ones given above.

Death sentence was given to officers below Capt (總尉) on orders from the Div C/S and up including a Sr Lt (總佐) attached to Divisional Hq as representative of Homo Affairs Political Defense Department (內務省 政治保衞局).

“Spies” of the Political Defense Deportment were in the various units, unknown to the men.

For the Commanding Officer: