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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2917　18 January 1951

FIELD REPORT (2 - LDI - 0034)　19 November 1950

Evaluation: PW tried to answer all questions, but he seemed to be confused. Due to the lack of education and military knowledge, he was unable to give detailed information. Upon cross examination, the PW seemed confused again, therefore information considered unreliable. Recommended for further interrogation.

About 20 Sept 50 elements of 4th Div began to retreat from SUNCHON Area (southern KOREA). PW has no knowledge of 4th Div strength because he did not contact the retreating main body of 4th Div. PW knew only of 4th Company of 3rd Bn (4th Div) with the estimated strength of 100 men. However, PW was informed by refugees that 4th Div was retreating north as an organized group.

When PW’s group (4th Co) arrived at foot hill of TAEBAEK Mt range (located on eastern coast), PW stated that up to this point the group (4th Co) traveled day and night. Every fourth day the troops were give a day’s rest to obtain food from nearby villages. Camouflaging was not enforced within the group.

About 4 Oct 50 PW dropped off from the group (4th Co) determined to return to his home in HWANGHAE-DO (northern KOREA). After crossing the 38 parallel, PW has no knowledge of what route the 4th Co of the 3rd Bn, 4th Div took.

On or about 7 Oct 50, PW met CH’OE SAE HWON (from his home village) while traveling alone on the TAEBAEK Mt range. PW learned from his friend that 4th Div retreated toward north and they were taking the SOBAEK Mt range into TAEBAEK Mt range and into KANGWON Province (province located on eastern sector on the 38 parallel).

About 25 Oct 50, PW and CH’OE SAE HWON met a north Korean soldier, who was a member of the 7th Div, in YANGGU (128 0’-38 10’) and was induced to join the 7th Div. PW was assigned to the 2nd Company, 2nd Bn, 2nd Regt of 7th Div.

YANGGU was the collecting point for all stragglers going north. Group of 200 men left YANGGU to CHORWON (127 15’-38 15’). 9 Nov 50 upon arrival of the group into CHORWON,PW observed about 1500 men of unknown unit.

10 Nov 50,1st Company with the strength of 100 men and 2nd Company with the strength of 150 men left CHORWON for a hill located in the vicinity of TAEBONG-SAN (BU 7435). PW stated that on the same day a group of approx 700 men of the unk unit moved out from CHORWON and headed toward WONSAN. Also another group of approx 400 men left CHORWON heading toward P’YONGYANG. PW had no knowledge of the intentions of these groups.

17 Nov 50 1st and 2nd Companies of the 2nd Bn met a group of about 2000 men in HWACHANG (BU 8548). Both groups spent the day together.

18 Nov 50 about 2100 hrs on an emergency order, the 1st and 2nd Company with the strength of 250 men left HWACHANG for the hills in the vicinity of TAEBONG-SAN to establish a defense position. (Took Mt trail, but exact route unk.) PW stated that the group of 2000 men remained in HWACHANG.

19 Nov 50 about 0200 hrs the 2nd Co arrived 4 Kms north of TAEBONG-SAN (BU 7435) and established a defense position with the strength of 150 men. The 1st Company moved to another hill located directly west from the 2nd Company. The distance between these two companies was about 4 Kms.

19 Nov 50 about 1300 hrs 2nd Co attacked the UN convoy consisting of 10 vehicles. PW stated that he does not know the number of trucks and jeeps. However, PW stated that a tank was leading the convoy going east toward SAMIN-NI (BU 8136). The convoy haltered immediately when fired upon and engaged the 2nd Company. PW has no knowledge of what happened to the members of the 2nd Company because PW surrendered immediately to the UN forces.

Food: Food was obtained from the Peoples’ Committee in each village. Most of the time soldiers billeted in the village with the farmers for the purpose of obtaining food. PW stated that food was sufficient among the troops.

Ammo: Each rifleman carried about 80 rounds of small arm ammo. PW has no knowledge of the ammo supply within his unit.

Clothing: All troops are in summer uniforms because no winter clothing was issued to the troops. Due to the inadequate clothing, PW observed some of the soldiers falling sick because they were unable to stand the cold weather.

Weapons: The 2nd Company had the following weapons: 5 PPsh M1941 submachine guns, 80 rifles and 2 LMGs. PW stated that 1st Company had 1 82mm mortar.

PAK Chol (25) Sr Lt, 2nd Co Comdr

All troops were informed by Company commander that the final victory will be ours because the CCF units are here to assist us. However, all troops do not believe their CO because none of them saw any CCF unit and furthermore the North Korean troops took heavy losses. The fighting spirit among the men was very low.

For the AC of S, G-2: