ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2842 12 January 1951
FIELD REPORT (528 MISPI - 0140) 26 November 1950
(Ref to ATIS Rpt No. 2737, 2745, 2758.)
| PW NAME: | LIU, Ping-chang (劉炳璋) Chinese |
| PW NO: | Jackson Temporary #151 |
| AGE: | 26 |
| RANK: | Capt |
| DUTY: | I & E Officer |
| UNIT: | 66th Army, 197th Div, 590th Regt |
| EDUCATION: | 10 yrs, also attended the Nationalist Army Officers’ School for 4½ yrs |
| PLACE OF SURRENDER: | Vic TAECHON (YE1322) |
| DATE OF SURRENDER: | 250600 Nov 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | SHANTUNG-SHENG, TAIAN-HSIEN, TAWENKOU (山東省 泰安縣 大■口) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same as above |
PW appeared to be in good physical condition at time of interrogation. PW surrendered voluntarily to elements of the ROK Army 25 Nov 50. PW stated that he intended to surrender since he first crossed the border. PW spoke freely and was very cooperative. PW was above average intelligence. Interrogation was conducted through a Korean interpreter who has knowledge of Chinese, and evaluation of information obtained should be assessed accordingly. Recommended for further interrogation.
a. Chronology.
PW entered the Chinese Nationalist Army Officers’ Training School at HSIAN (西安) on 15 Aug 42 and graduated in Jul 45. Upon graduation, PW received his commission (2nd Lt) and was assigned to the Guard Bn of the 92nd Nationalist Army at PEIPING (北京). PW’s unit remained at PEIPING for approx three years performing security missions for the 92nd Army. PW was then promoted to 1st Lt and was assigned to the Transportation Sect of the 92nd Army. PW remained with this section for approx one year then the 92nd Nationalist Army capitulated to the CCF and was integrated into the 66th CCF Army Jan 49. PW was assigned to the Education Sect of the 197th Div and was promoted to captain. The 197th Div Hq was located at SHANHSITAIYUAN (山西大原). PW’s unit remained there for approx five (5) months and moved to TIENTSIN (天津) arriving in May 49. PW’s unit remained there until 20 Oct 50. 20 Oct 50, the entire 66th Army crossed the YALU River in separate groups. After crossing the YALU River the 196th, 197th, and 198th Divs separated and took different routes. The 197th Div took the following itinerary: SINUIJU (XE1939) arrived at MASAN-DONG (XE4329) 25 Oct 50. Departed MASAN-DONG, arrived SUYUNG CHANG-RI (随營倉里) 26 Oct 50. Departed SUYUNGCHANG-RI, arrived at KULIM-RI (九林里) 29 Oct 50. Departed KULIM-RI, arrived at PYONGJI-RI (XE7710) on 2 Nov 50. Departed PYONGJI-RI, arrived at IPSOK-TONG (XE9224) on 3 Nov 50. Departed IPSOK-TONG, arrived at KUMGOK-TONG (YE0031) on 4 Nov 50. The 197th Div remained there until 23 Nov 50. PW’s unit departed KUMGOK-TONG and arrived at TAECHON (YE1322) 25 Nov 50. 25 Nov at approx 0300 hours, PW deserted intending to surrender. At about 250600 Nov 50, PW observed a group of ROK soldiers eating and upon being beckoned by one of the soldiers, he went over and surrendered.
b. Unit Strength.
PW reported the 66th Army’s strength as approx 26,000 men; Div strength as 6,600, Regt’l strength as approx 2,000, and Bn strength as approx 600 men. The 197th Div has never been committed since crossing the border.
c. Equipment.
U/k number of mountain guns and mortars (size u/k) were brought by the 197th Div when crossing the border. No recoilless weapons or rocket launchers were observed. The AT Co of the 590th Regt had 4 AT Guns (size u/k). Each HMG Co had 6 HMGs and 2x82mm mortars.
d. Disposition and Intentions.
The 196th, 197th, and 198th Divs comprising the 66th Army were deployed in area N of TAECHON (see attached overlay). The three (3) Divs were to allow the UN Forces to advance towards KUSONG, through TAECHON, and then conduct an encircling movement with the 39th Army and elements of the 40th Army (see attached overlay).
e. Armor and Artillery.
No tanks or heavy arty pieces were brought across the YALU River. There were no AA Guns in the 66th Army.
f. Communications.
Radios and telephones were used as communication means between the Army Hq and Div Hqs. Telephones were used between the Divs, Regts and Bns. Walkie-Talkies were also observed by PW. Communication between the Bns and Cos was by messengers.
Communication code numbers of the 66th Army were as follows:
FENGHUAPU (泰化部) - 66th Army
SZEIPU (西一部) - 196th Div
SZEERHPU (西二部) - 197th Div
SZESANPU (西三部) - 198th Div
21 - 586th Regt
22 - 587th Regt
23 - 588th Regt
24 - 589th Regt
25 - 590th Regt
26 - 591st Regt
27 - 592nd Regt
28 - 593rd Regt
29 - 594th Regt
g. Personalities.
SUAN, Ching-huai (■■■) 66th Army CG
WANG, Tzu-feng (王柴鋒) Political Officer, 66th Army
WEN, Chuan-pao (溫泉保) C/S, 196th Div
CHENG, Shao-fu (成少甫) 197th Div CG
CHUNG, Ping-chang (鐘炳昌) Political Officer, 197th Div
CHANG, I-po (張一波) Asst Div CG, 197th Div
WANG, Cheng (王誠) 590th Regt CO
LIU, San-shou (劉三壽) Political Officer, 590th Regt
CHIU, Yu-Chih (■王芝) Asst Regt CO, 590th Regt
LIU, His-kun (劉西崑) 591st Regt CO
CHAO, Pei-chang (趙沛章) 589th Regt CO
h. Morale and Propaganda.
The morale of his unit was low due to lack of weapons and food. Approx 70% of the men in the 590th Regt are communists but there are quite a few deserters in this group. They are forced to listen to daily communist propaganda and the majority of the men are tired of listening. All personnel were kept under strict surveillance by the communist leaders to prevent desertion.
a. Food and Ammo Supplies.
Food supply was low and food was procured locally after their initial supply was exhausted. PW stated that the unit carried only three days supply of food when it crossed the border.
Each man in the unit was issued 100 rds and four hand grenades when the unit came to KOREA. No additional ammo was received by the unit but PW heard that additional ammo was being transported to units from vic of KUSONG (exact location u/k).
b. Captured Equipment.
PW observed one US carbine and heard that it was captured at UNSAN (YE3928) by the 38th or 39th Army.
c. US PsW:
PW observed three US PsW at CHABOK-DONG (YE0127) on 8 Nov 50. The three PsW appeared to be in good physical condition and were seen being marched towards TAECH’ON.
d. CCF Air Force.
PW observed one airfield at CHINCHOU (錦州) (vic of SHANGHAIKUAN (上海關). Approx 20 fighter type aircrafts were parked on the runways at that time.
e. Foreign Advisors.
There is one former Japanese officer in the 197th Div who is an instructor on mortars. This instructor came with the unit to KOREA. His name is KARIKURA (■倉) and holds the rank of Capt in the CCF.
f. Mission of Present Unit.
PW stated that they were to act as a holding force to contain the UN Forces and prevent it from entering MANCHURIA and CHINA. They were told that this was necessary in order to preserve world peace.
g. Knowledge of Other Units.
PW stated that there were a total of six (6) CCF armies in KOREA. The 38th, 39th, 40th, 42nd, 50th, and 66th Armies. PW heard that the 38th Army was in UNSAN (YE3928) area. The whereabouts of the 42nd and 50th Armies were unknown to PW. Also heard that one (1) Regt of a Cav Brigade is also in KOREA.
For the AC of S, G-2:
HIGASHI
Organizational Chart of 66th CCF Army
