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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2443　30 November 1950

FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS - LDI - 0165)　13 November 1950

Prisoner was not fully cooperative and there were minor discrepancies in his information. He appeared vague and gave his reason for this as lapse of memory. However, it is believed he may have been withholding information. Not recommended for further interrogation.

Prisoner was born in "CHI PUNG TAE WANG YONG" (Korean name for a Siberian village) located approx 30 Km SW of GRODEKOVD, MARITIME PROVINCE, SIBERIA, on 3 Dec 1920. His father, at the age of 7, in 1892 immigrated to SUCHON in the MARITIME PROVINCE, and married a Korean who was born in SIBERIA. PW's parents were farmers and he attended a Korean Language School in his native village until he was 12 yrs old when in Jan 1932, his family moved to MANCHURIA, living at MUTANKIANG, TSING-AN JIN village for a considerable period of time.

Prisoner was conscripted into the CCF at TSINGAN-JIN on 20 Jul 48, and assigned to the 15th Army, 5th Engr Regt, 1st Bn, 2nd Co, 1st Plat located at TSINGANJIN. PW's Co crossed the YANGTZE River and went as far south as CANTON, to fight the Chinese Nationalist Forces and returned to MUKDEN, MANCHURIA Feb 50. 12 Feb 50 PW was given a medical discharge at ANTUNG, MANCHURIA due to malaria. On 20 Mar 50 PW immigrated to NORTH KOREA and settled in HAMGYONG PUKTO, MYONCHON-GUN, YONGCHONG DONG.

PW was conscripted into the NKA 26 Aug 50 and sent to WONSAN arriving 28 Aug 50. Here he was assigned to the 249th Brig, Arty Ammo Sup Sec. About the middle of Oct 50 all the personnel scattered into the nearby mountains with the approach of enemy forces near WONSAN. PW's Sup Sect, including approx 50 men fled with their commander, with the intention of going to KANGGYE (BA-9827) where the 249th Brig was to regroup. The group fled westward via YONGDAK (BU-9743) and arrived at TOKCHON (BV-6904) o/a 22 Oct 50 and continued northward in the direction of HUICHON (BU-6849) without stopping. In an unknown location north of TOKCHON PW became separated from the group due to an ailing leg. However, he continued northward alone and arrived at SINPUNG MYON (CG-0263) o/a 28 Oct 50. Here he met a group of 30 men, including an officer, from the 249th Brig, Inf Bn. He was told by the officer to join his group which was headed for IPKWAN- (BV-9788) MYON where the 249th Brig was regrouping. However, enroute, PW fell behind the 30 men group due to his sore leg, but finally reached IPKWAN MYON o/a 31 Oct 50, and rejoined his Sup Sec. O/a 5 Nov 50 PW as an interpreter and two others from the Brig Rcn unit were dispatched to YONGWON to obtain information regarding the disposition and strength of the CCF in that area, since there was no liaison between the two units. Travelling through mountain trails, the group arrived in YONGWON on 10 Nov 50, where they were captured before they could contact the CCF.

The 249th Inf Brig, as far as PW knows, included an Inf Bn, an Engr Bn, and an Arty Bn. The Ammo Sup Sec (PW's unit) consisting of approx 50 men, as well as a Sig unit of unknown size were attached to the Brig. He heard that a Maj Gen was the Brig commander who from all appearance was a Russian trained officer. Strength was unknown, but when the Brig was scattered at WONSAN o/a 15 Oct 50, PW observed approx, 1,000 men fleeing from the city. At that time he saw approx 300 men in the Inf Bn and 250 men in the Engr Bn.

As of 5 Nov 50, PW states the 249th Inf Brig Hq was located at IPKWAN-MYON, and it is believed most of its units had already been regrouped there at the time.

In an unknown location in the mountains between SINPUNG-MYON and IPKWAN-MYON, PW observed approx 300 CCF troops headed southward in a single file with 2 - 3 meters interval between each man. Troops were heard conversing in the Chinese language. Most of these troops had Jap model 39 and 99 rifles and carried 2 or 3 hand grenades with wooden handles. Czech made rifles which PW recognized from his military service in the CCF were also soon. Other weapons observed were 5 light mortars, more than 10 Czech LMGs, and Czech Tommy guns (similar to PPS M-1943 but with a magazine) carried by Sqd Ldrs. 4 or 5 horses packing HMGs (type unknown) were also seen.

Ammo at first was supplied the 249th Brig from P'YONGYANG in trucks. From 28 Aug to o/a 15 Oct 50. PW observed approx 20 truckloads of all types of ammo, which were distributed by his Ammo Sup Sec to units of the Brig. Most of these were small arms ammo. Others included 82mm & 60mm mortar shells.

Winter clothing was issued to the men in PW's section and to part of the men in the other units o/a 10 Sep 50. PW heard from his section warrant officer that the clothes were made at WONSAN.

When the 249th Brig scattered into the hills at WONSAN, PW observed that most of the troops were armed with M-1891/30 rifles and M-1938 carbines, PPS M-1943, PPSH SMG, 14 "Maxim" HMGs, and 15 DP LMGs.

At SOKTAN ONCHON (location unknown) PW saw 2×122mm M-1940 howitzers, which PW's commander stated belonged to the 249th Brig.

PW received no training of any kind after he joined his unit in Aug 50. He states that most of the personnel of the Ammo Sup Sec were recruited in Jul and Aug 50. Most of the men were engaged in loading and unloading ammo and digging trenches where ammo was stored temporarily before being distributed.

PW first heard that the CCF troops had intervened in the Korean war to help NKs at IPKWAN-MYON o/a 31 Oct 50. He stated that all the men were glad and relieved when the men first heard this from their officers.

The 15th Div (larger than a normal Div) of the CCF in MANCHURIA was under the 4th Field Army. It consisted of the 5th Engr Regt and other unknown types of units. Total strength was unknown. The 5th Engr Regt consisted of three Engr Bns of 500 men each. Each Bn was organized into 3 Cos. Personnel in this Regt had 3 to 4 months of basic training after which specialized training in bridge and road repairing was received in the field. The 5th Engr Regt worked in companies repairing roads and bridges in the 15 Div area. Equipment included picks, shovels, and other simple implements. About 1/3 of the troops in the 5th Regt were equipped with Jap model 38 & 99 rifles. There were also 3 LMGs to each Co. Telephones were for communicating between Bn and Regt. As of Feb 50, the 5th Engr Regt Hq was located at CANTON, CHINA. Present disposition unknown.

For the AC of S, G-2: