포로신문
보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 2969　23 January 1951

FIELD REPORT (164 MISDI – 1308)　11 January 1951

Cooperative. PW appeared to be in good physical condition.

PW acted thoroughly disgusted with the “liberation” that the NKA had brought him. He conscientiously attempted to answer questions asked of him but was unable to give details or remember dates of his unit’s activities.

Information, although limited, seems to be reliable.

38th Div is composed of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Infantry Regts.

1st Inf Regt is composed of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Inf Bns.

The composition of the 3rd Inf Bn is unknown to PW.

7th Rifle Co is composed of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Rifle Plats.

1st Rifle Plat is composed of 3 Sqds with approx 10 x men per sqd.

1st Plat, 7th Co

1st Regt, 38th Div

Most of the personnel in the 1st Regt of the 38th Div were without weapons. Therefore, PW considered their combat efficiency to be very low.

As of 30 Dec 50, the CP for the 3rd Bn of the 1st Regt, 38th Div was located in an unidentified village approx 10 Km North of YANGGU.

Objectives of 38th Div units were unknown to PW.

PW conscripted into the NKA 38th Div on 15 Sep 50 at PYONGCH’ANG (DS4655) together with approx 150 other South Koreans who were conscripted from the same area.

PW received 9 days of basic training. He then departed from P’YONGCH’ANG on 24 Sep 50, marched with the entire 38th Div and arrived at WONJU (DS0633) on 25 Sep 50.

PW departed from WONJU on 26 Sep 50 and travelled following route with the 38th Division:

PW departed from CHANGJIN, D/U 50, marched with the 38th Div and arrived at the village of HUCHANG (CA3886), D/U, 50. At HUCHANG the 38th Div was reorganized during Oct 50 at which time personnel were issued winter clothing. No other information on reorganization.

PW departed from HUCHANG o/a 10 Nov 50, marched with the 1st Regt of the 38th Div, and traveled via the following places:

PW departed from KOKSAN with the 1st Regt of the 38th Div, D/U 50, marched, and arrived at a point approx 9 Km north of YANGGU on 28 Dec 50.

On 30 Dec 50, PW’s platoon (1st Plat, 7th Co, 3rd Bn. 1st Regt, 38th Div), was sent on a reconnaissance patrol toward YANGGU.

301000 1 Dec 50 while on patrol PW’s platoon was attacked by a ROK platoon. PW’s platoon withdrew immediately but PW surrendered to the ROK platoon because he had never wanted to serve in the NKA.

Most of the personnel in the 1st Regt of the 38th Div are South Koreans conscripted by the NKA before it retreated north of the 38th Parallel during Sep 50.

Personnel in the 1st Regt of the 38th Div received two bowls of rice daily until their departure from HUCHANG. Thereafter they were fed thrice daily. Rations consisted of sweet potatoes, rice, and corn confiscated from residents of villages through which the regiment passed.

1st Regt personnel received no replacement of ammunition since the regiment departed from HUCHANG o/a 10 Nov 50. Most of the personnel have no weapons. Those who have small arms have less then 20 rds per weapons.

The personnel in the 1st Regt of the 38th Div have low morale because the majority are South Koreans who were forced into the NKA after it crosses 38th Parallel during the summer of 1950.

1. Did you surrender voluntarily? If so, why?

a. PW surrendered voluntarily because his home is in South KOREA and he had never wanted to serve in the NKA.

2. Did you see any United Nations leaflets or hear any loudspeaker broadcasts?

a. PW has never observed UN leaflets or heard any UN loudspeaker broadcasts.

3. Can you describe what they said?

a. Negative.

4. What was your reaction to them?

a. Negative.

5. Did you hear other soldiers discuss leaflets or broadcasts? What did they say or do?

a. No

For the AC of S, G-2: