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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2977　23 January 1951

FIELD REPORT (164 MISDI - 1316)　12 January 1951

Cooperative. PW appeared to be in good physical condition.

PW was impressed by the favorable treatment he has received since surrendering. He was anxious to answer any questions asked him.

PW was quite familiar with the organization of his unit but was unable to remember details about its movements or exact dates of its past activities.

Information seems to be reliable.

The II Corps is composed of the 2nd, 4th, 10th, 11 th, 12th and 31st NKA Divisions.

The 2nd Division is composed of the 3rd, 4th, and 17th Infantry Regiments.

The 17th Regiment is composed of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Rifle Bns HMG Company, 82mm Mortar Company, Engineer Platoon, Supply platoon, Medical Platoon, Guard Platoon, Security Company, and Communications Company.

The 1st Battalion is composed of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Rifle Companies.

The 3rd Company is composed of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Rifle Platoons.

The 3rd Platoon is composed of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd squads with an average of 10 men per squad.

II Corps units were spread out generally between the 38th and 37th Parallels throughout the TAEBAEK SAN Mountain range.

Objective of units was unknown to PW.

Mission of the 1st Bn of the 17th Regiment was the direct security of the 2nd NKA Division.

PW was inducted into the 2nd NKA Div at HAEJU (YC3813) on 14 Jul 50. There he received 5 days of training in close order drill and military courtesy. Then he was assigned simultaneously as a carpenter for the Rear Echelon Unit of the 17th Regiment, and as Sqd ldr for the 3rd Sqd, 3rd Plat, 3rd Co, 1st Bn, 17th Regt. He was promoted to Sgt on 20 Jul 50.

PW departed from HAEJU on 1 Aug 50, by train with the entire 2nd Div and arrived at SEOUL o/a 6 Aug 50.

Upon arriving at SEOUL, the 2nd Division Headquarters, 17th Regt Headquarters, and 3rd Company of the 1st Battalion (17th Regt) detrained from the train while all other elements of the 2nd Division processed southward.

PW departed from SEOUL (with the 3rd Co, 1st Bn, 17th Regt, plus the Regt and Div Hq) when the NKA retreated to North KOREA Sep 50, marched, and arrived in the mountains of HAMGYONG NAMDO (Province) during the first part of Nov 50. There, the 2nd Div regrouped and the remnants of the 6th Regt, 2nd Division were incorporated into the 17th Regt, 2nd Div. The Div received to additional weapons but its personnel were issued small arms ammunition (400 rds per rifle man) and winter uniforms. This ammunition was brought on trucks, driven by CCF soldiers, from CHANGJIN (CV5171) which the CCF and NKA were using as a supply center during Now 50.

PW departed from the mountains of HAMGYONG NAMDO (Province) during the latter part of Nov 50, marched with the entire 2nd Division which was proceeded by the 45th NKA Division and followed by the 10th NKA Div (2nd Div units traveled in the following order: 3rd Regt, 4th Regt, and 17th Regt), and arrived in the mountains approximately 39 Km southeast of HONGCH'ON on 1 Jan 51. There the 2nd Div established a temporary CP and the 1st Bn of the 17th Regt was assigned the mission of direct security for the 2nd Div Hq.

4 Jan 51, PW was ordered by his plat ldr to be especially alert because ROK Units were believed to be nearby. Upon hearing this the PW deserted (using the excuse that he was going in search of water) and walked south for about 1 Km where he surrendered to ROK troops 041600 I Jan 51.

CHOE, Hyon (최현), Majoy General, CG, II Corps

LEE, Ho (리허), Major General, CG, 2nd Division

KIM, Tong C'hoi (김동철), Colonel, CO, 17th Regt, 2nd Division

MIN, Ung Pin (민옹빈) Jr Lt, Plat Ldr; 3rd Plat, 3rd Co, 1st Bn, 17th Regt

When the 2nd Division regrouped during Nov 50, in the mountains of HAMGYONG NAMDO (Province) the 17th Regt received only 50 replacements. Those men were former members of the 6th Regt, 2nd Div which was deactivated during the first part of Nov 50.

While the 2nd Div was regrouping in the HAMGYONG NAMDO during Nov 50, its personnel received two meals daily. Rations consisted of sweet potatoes and barley mush. Since departing from HAMGYONG NAMDO during the latter part of Nov 50, personnel have received only one meal a day. Rations have consisted of sweet potatoes and/or rice and have been supplied by "Peoples Committees" established in villages through which other NKA units passed prior to the 2nd NKA Div.

During Nov 50, CHANGJIN was an ammunition and clothing supply center for NKA and CCF units.

On 2 Jan 51, the 2nd NKA Division received an unknown amount of small arms and ammunition while the division was located in the mountains approx 39 Km southeast of HONGCHON. These weapons and ammunition were supplied by the 4th NKA Division which was able to spare such items because it had captured a great deal of UN equipment in combat.

Because the 17th Regt is greatly under-strength, its combat effectiveness is decreased considerably. Its personnel are cold and hungry. These factors have resulted in their morale being generally low.

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

(1) PW surrendered voluntarily because he picked up and read a UN "Safe Conduct Pass" in the TAEBAEK SAN Mountain range area o/a 30 Dec 50. When he surrendered to ROK soldiers on 4 Jan 51, he was holding the UN leaflet.

b. Did you see any Unit Nations leaflets or hear any loudspeaker broadcasts?

(1) Yes.

c. Can you describe what they said?

(1) PW remembers the substance of the UN leaflet. It instructed the North Korean soldiers to surrender as they would receive good treatment. It was printed in the name of the UN commander, G/A Douglas MacARTHUR.

d. What was your reaction to them?

(1) PW believed what the UN leaflet said for the following reasons:

1. He wanted to believe that what the leaflet promised was true as he was sick of war.

2. The large quantity of leaflets dropped impressed him and inclined him to think that the UN was sincere in its promises.

3. He had never trusted communists and suspected that their ambitions were unjust.

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

(1) The other men in PW's squad were undecided as to the truth in promises made in UN leaflets but were seriously considering surrendering because life in the NKA was becoming increasingly miserable. They were, however, afraid of being caught by their officers trying to surrender.

For the AC of S, G-2: