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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3022　26 January 1951

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS Special Report - 016)　11 January 1951

Information contained in this report was obtained through interrogation of twenty-two prisoners of war, along psychological warfare lines.

PW surrendered to ROK Army at POUN (報恩), KOREA 2 Oct 50. PW was wounded and was hospitalized. Soldiers in this brigade received retreat order, so PW retreated as far as POUN, but due to severe pain PW gave himself up.

PW did not see any UN leaflets or hear any loudspeaker broadcasts.

PW surrendered due to poor medical treatment, food and supply. Also 90% of PW’s unit (NK 101st Div, 1st Motor Bn) was completely wiped out by UN forces. PW lost his fighting spirit and gave up to United Nation forces.

PW saw leaflets at SINBAN-NI (新反里) Aug 50.

Leaflet was 20cm x 15cm white paper with pictures of Korean map and UN ships invading INCH’ON (仁川). Also printed words in Korean stated, “UN has made an amphibious landing on INCH’ON. You are not our enemies. Surrender to our forces as soon as possible. You will be insured good medical treatment and food.

PW first thought that everything written on leaflet was false.

Higher ranking officers said that is was foolish to believe that an amphibious landing could be made at INCH’ON.

PW saw propaganda leaflets issued by the UN Army, but did not believe them.

Leaflet was white, with black printing.

PW surrendered with “safe-conduct passes”. O/a 13 Aug 50, while the NK army units were advancing into ANDONG (安東), PW was approached by a South Korean farmer who explained that he had found 3 propaganda leaflets which had been dropped from UN aircraft. He had shown them to PW because he could not read. Learning that one was a safe-conduct pass, PW took them away from the farmer. That night, PW deserted his unit and escaped to a small village near WONJU (原州) hiding himself in a farmer’s home. PW waited in this farm village until WONJU was occupied by ROK troops. Then PW surrendered to the ROK Military Police who had been patrolling the area.

The 3 propaganda leaflets the PW had were different. One leaflet was a message from a captured NKA 13th Div, Regt’l CO, telling of his treatment as a PW and asking the rest of the troops to cease fighting. This leaflet was printed on thin (onion-skin) paper with the picture of the NKA colonel on it.

The 2nd leaflet had a picture of a PW being fed. This leaflet explained that if one surrendered, he would receive food, clothing and shelter. The third leaflet was a message from the C in C of the South Korean forces stating that if one surrendered, his life would be spared and food and shelter would be guaranteed. If further stated that surrendering will also be for the good of all, and stated that this leaflets was to be presented when surrendering.

PW was moved to believe that what was stated in the leaflets was true. It was the first time PW had seen an enemy propaganda leaflet. During combat in MANCHURIA and CHINA as in the Korean war, the troops were always told that the enemy would kill all prisoners.

PW explained that he did not like the Communist system because it was the Communist gov’t that killed his father and mother. PW saved himself by fleeing before being taken into custody. Because of personal hardship, PW enlisted in the CCF which was at that time the best move.

PW surrendered because of his acquaintanceship with Americans while serving in the American - Chinese training school, CNA; and because of his belief that the U.S. PW policy offers better treatment than that of the Oriental countries.

PW has never head UN loudspeaker broadcasting nor has he seen UN propaganda leaflets.

Remarks:

PW hopes to be sent to FORMOSA to fight for CHIANG, Kai Shek’s forces.

PW surrendered because he was in the mountains and had no place to go and had to die sooner or later so he took a chance on becoming PW.

PW saw UN leaflets. Leaflets said that they should surrender as they would be treated as honorable PsW, and was signed by Gen MacARTHUR. PW believed the statements but was not able to surrender because there were too many people watching.

PW once saw one NCO and one Pvt with leaflets in their pockets which were found by propaganda officer who took the men to the Provost Marshall.

Surrendered to U.S. troops 3 Nov 50 following 3 days combat near TOKCH’ON (德川). Had not eaten for 3 days and awaited opportunity to surrender.

Saw neither UN leaflets nor heard any broadcasts.

Denied any knowledge of comment among troops re UN leaflets or broadcasts.

The PW surrendered voluntarily to the UN forces. His reasons for doing so, were that he, and the other Koreans who had been in CHINA, opposed the division of the fatherland into two sections and they felt that the UN was fighting for the unification of all KOREA. He also found that the North Korean army was very cruel to the civilians and he resented that. He cited as an example: The civilians have had no meat for many months and yet the NKA confiscated all cows and pigs and the troops were fed meat very frequently.

One of the principal reasons for surrendering were the UN leaflets which the PW saw. The leaflets were about 5 x 8 inches in size and on the leaflet, written in Korean, was a description of the INCH’ON landing and a message which stated that all industrial facilities of North KOREA would be destroyed by air attacks if the NKA did not surrender. The leaflets also promised safe conduct if they did surrender. PW decided that the UN way of living was better for KOREA than that promised by the Communists.

The effect of the leaflets was an immediate decision to surrender. One other factor which induced the PW to surrender was that in one leaflet it stated that fifty-eight nations were opposed to the Communist attack in KOREA and therefore there was no possibility of North KOREA winning the war.

PW surrendered because he did not like the North Korean gov’t or Communism. Compelled to join the NKA. PW waited for an opportunity to escape and surrender. Did not see any UN leaflets or hear any loudspeaker broadcasts.

Even though PW had no way of knowing the contents of leaflets, he was delighted to hear reports of their existence. Scattering of leaflets meant marching of UN forces nearer to PW to liberate him.

Told by some EM who were working in the mess hall, that UN planes had scattered leaflets, but never talked about contents.

PW surrendered because of UN leaflet. PW saw leaflet but did not hear broadcasts.

Leaflets measured 6 x 5 inches, red border on four corners. Pictures of PsW eating and sleeping on beds on front side. Nothing on back side. Contents are as follows:

a. You are being deceived by North Korean propaganda.

b. If you want to live give up immediately to the UN forces.

c. If this is done, you will be able to see your wife, parents, brothers and sisters.

d. UN forces will treat you well. You will be able to sleep peacefully, eat heartily and receive medical treatments.

e. Signed, Gen MacARTHUR, Commander UN Forces.

PW believed what leaflet said and decided to surrender the first chance he got.

PW surrendered because:

a. CCF took his land away.

b. He did not want to fight for the CCF so took the first opportunity to surrender.

c. Heard in lectures that the CNA had troops fighting for the UN forces and wanted to join the CNA.

Did not see leaflets or hear broadcasts. Heard of UN leaflets which promised good treatment, food and clothing.

PW surrendered because he hated war.

PW saw UN leaflet 25 Aug 50 at HWANGAN (黃澗). The leaflet was about 15cm x 10m and was written in both English and Korean. The leaflet stated that they would receive good treatment if they surrendered and that if they hated war they should surrender with their weapon carrying the leaflet with them.

PW wanted to surrender but was still in doubt because of the strong NK propaganda that they would be brutally treated.

PW and 6 others surrendered because they did not like Communist Government.

PW read UN leaflet twice. One was 30cm x 20cm. Paper was white, characters written in black. English on the bottom half of the leaflet. It stated “NK People’s Army will be destroyed so abandon your firearms and give up. PsW would be provided with medical attention.” The other leaflet was also 30cm x 20cm. Paper was white. Korean characters were written in red and blue on both sides of the leaflet. It stated “There’s only one way for survival. Surrender now. All men doing so should come cut during the day time only. PW followed these instructions and surrendered.

PW saw leaflets along the NAKTONG River 10 Sep 50.

Leaflets stated NK forces were fighting a lost cause and soldiers were being told lies by their superiors. For those who surrendered there were food, clothing and shelter and after the conflict was over PWs would be returned to their homes. This was the truth so NK soldiers should surrender while there was time. Leaflet was written in Korean and signed in English by General MacARTHUR.

All the soldiers including PW were convinced the leaflet was a lie. NK soldiers were told if they were taken prisoner they would be tortured and killed.

PW was captured while trying to surrender.

PW saw UN leaflet. Leaflet size was 10cm x 15cm, of white paper with black letters.

Contents - To the NKA: Don’t suffer in the mountains but come out and surrender to the UN forces. If you surrender, at the end of the war we will let you go home as soon as possible. Until then we will feed you well and give you clothing.

When PW saw this leaflet he thought it would be better to surrender now and go back home after the war rather than try to go home directly as he planned.

PW surrendered.

PW heard a loudspeaker broadcast at SINGOSAN (新高山) 9 Oct 50. PW believed that he would not be killed as he had been told by his superiors.

The loudspeaker broadcast was from a small cabin type plane. PW could not hear the broadcast very well but heard that the sooner you surrender, the sooner you would get home again and also it was useless to waste your lives fighting for a lost cause.

PW was tired of fighting and believed that if he surrendered, he would not be killed and would be treated fairly well and it seemed better than getting killed.

PW surrendered with his friend simply because he did not want to be killed.

PW read a UN leaflet which his friend had. Leaflet was 15cm x 10cm of blue paper. Printed on one side in Korean. Color of characters was white.

It stated, “The South Korean Gov’t is well administered under the protection of the United Nations. KIM, Il Son’s (金日成) North Korean Gov’t is leading KOREA into corruption. All men who have devotion for KOREA, destroy the NK Gov’t and free the people of KOREA!”

PW abandoned his unit when he saw this leaflet and was willing to follow the statement.

PW surrendered because he never had any intention of fighting against the UN forces.

PW picked up a leaflet at NAMCHON (南泉) afternoon of 14 Oct 50 while retreating from HAKJONG (鶴井). Leaflet was 15cm x 10cm paper. Printed, “You people should surrender now before it is too late. If you surrender to use now, you shall be treated with warm food” on front sheet. On other side of the sheet was a photo and description of healthy PWs eating hot food with smiles on their faces.

The effect on PW was to make him want to surrender right away to UN forces. Other troops said that the PWs of UN forces are lucky. We should surrender to UN too.

PW was captured.

PW saw UN leaflets near TOKCH’ON (德川) area. Leaflets described as follows.

(a) Blue card with white lettering.

(b) Top half was written in Korean.

(c) Lower half in English.

(d) No lettering on the reverse side.

Other UN leaflets:

(a) White card with a picture of CCF POWs on one side, with black Korean lettering along side of it.

(b) Back side also contained Korean lettering.

PW was told that, if captured by UN forces, he would be shot immediately. Also that if he wasn’t shot, our treatment of POWs was brutal and inhumane. PW states that he actually believed the propaganda concerning UN treatment of POWs until he read a UN leaflet. PW was partially inclined to believe what was written on the UN leaflets, but was unsure until the day of his capture.

PW saw UN leaflets being dropped. Most of the leaflets were burned but he managed to conceal one in his pocket. The leaflets were 4” x 6”. The UN symbol was inscribed on the top center. Large, red Chinese characters were at the right side. Blue Chinese characters covered the balance of the page. Chinese characters, in blue, were printed on the reverse side of the leaflets.

PW did not believe what was written on the leaflets.

PW heard many soldiers talking about the leaflets. Those that were true Communists told everybody else that the contents of the leaflets were false, merely propaganda. Those that were ex-CNA soldiers expressed wonder and doubt as to whether US beheaded their prisoners or ill-treated them.

PW surrendered because when running away he met his brother who was in the ROKA. Also because he wanted all of KOREA to be united.

PW saw leaflet written on blue paper (about 10cm x 8cm) in white with the symbol of the UN in the center.

The loudspeaker stated that the UN airforce had destroyed the various North Korean cities and for NK soldiers to come and surrender in the South instead of running away North.

PW felt glad and decided to surrender.

PW states he surrendered with the purpose of staying alive.

PW did not see any leaflets or hear broadcasts. PW heard through his fellow PW, that propaganda leaflets had a UN flag, and was written in Korean. PW did not listen to any broadcasts. He was disappointed in not seeing the leaflets. PW says his fellow PW did not have any opportunity to read the pamphlet because his superior officer took it away.

For the Commanding Officer: