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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3119　2 February 1951

FIELD REPORT (528 LDI - 0160)　19 January 1951

PW appeared to be in good physical condition at time of interrogation. PW was an employee of the SEOUL Tobacco Monopoly Bureau prior to being inducted into the army. PW was cooperative and of average intelligence. Information was limited but considered fairly reliable. Not recommended for further interrogation.

PW was inducted into the NKA 18 Sep 50 at ANSONG (CR4696). 15 days later, PW deserted his unit at CHORWON (CT4334) but was picked up by the 8th NK Div and sent to CHOSAN (YF3624) where he received 15 days of basic training. After finishing training, PW remained at CHOSAN for approx one month. Mid December 50, the 3rd Regt of the 8th Div departed CHOSAN and marched to SEOUL arriving 5 Jan 51. The Regt travelled along the MSR, passing through PYONGYANG o/a 25 Dec 50. Upon arriving at SEOUL, PW deserted his unit and headed towards P’YONGTAEK (CR2996). PW took the MSR to ANYANG (CS1641) and then walked through mountain trails to PYONGTAEK arriving on 13 Jan 51. PW returned to his parents home, changed to civilian clothes, and remained there until captured by elements of the 24th Regt, 25th Div on 18 Jan 51.

The 8th Div consisted of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Regts. Each Regt consisted of 3 Bn’s and each Bn consisted of 3 Co’s with 3 Plat’s each.

Code names for the 3 Bns of 3rd Regt were as follows:

1st Bn - “TORAJI HANA” (도라지 하나)*

2nd Bn - “TORAJI TUL” (도라지 둘)

3rd Bn - “TORAJI SET” (도라지 ■)

While enroute to CHOSAN from CHORWON, approx 300 troops were in PW’s group, most of whom were recruits. Upon arrival at CHOSAN, an additional 600 men were added to PW’s group.

1st and 2nd Regts of the 8th Div consisted mostly of veterans and that the 3rd Regt consisted of newly conscripted soldiers.

PW’s Co had 5 HMG’s, 3 SMG’s, & n/k number of rifles. Each man also carried 2 hand grenades. The 3rd Bn had 10 HMG’s and 2 LMG’s.

PW observed 2 truck-drawn arty pieces heading towards South approx 5 miles South of P’YONGYANG o/ a night of 25 Dec 50. (Type and size n/k to PW). No other arty pieces were observed by PW since then. No tanks observed by PW.

PW heard from his Co CO that the NKA will liberate SEOUL, TAEJON, TAEGU, and PUSAN (Details u/k).

Mission of the 8th Div u/k to PW.

When passing through ANYANG, PW observed two NK stragglers inquiring of another NK soldier whether or not he was the 3rd Bn, 3rd Regt, 8th Div heading towards INCHON. The soldier gave a negative answer.

During his stay at CHOSAN, PW heard that there were more than 10,000 NK troops in villages in vic of CHOSAN (Unit designations u/k).

PW observed approx 200 CCF troops in vic of ANYANG RR station (CS1641) o/a 9 Jan 51, and also approx 200 more CCF troops in vic of a village approx 8 km South of ANYANG o/a 10 Jan 51.

Telephones and messengers were used for communication in PW’s unit. Telephone lines were laid along the road side and strung on trees.

Morale of two thirds of the men in PW’s unit was high because they were told that they were on the winning side. The remaining one third of the men had low morale because they did not want to fight and wanted to return to their families.

PW did not see any UN propaganda leaflets but heard from a civilian at PYONGTAEK, o/a 13 Jan 51, that UN leaflets were being dropped urging the refugees to return to their homes, because the CCF and NK troops are being repulsed.

* LN: TORAJI - Name of a Korean flower. “HANA” meaning one; “TUL”, two; and “SET”, three.

Food and ammo supplies were insufficient. Food was procured locally. While at CHOSAN, PW heard from his Plat Ldr that ammo was brought by trains and ships from USSR (Details u/k).

PW stated that no replacements were received by his unit since departing CHOSAN. PW also stated that no casualties were received but 5 men deserted from 9th Co while enroute to SEOUL from CHOSAN.

PW observed that CCF troops were armed with US carbines but did not know whether or not they were captured in KOREA.

PW heard from a civilian o/a 22 Dec 50 that 30 US Prisoners of War were approx 20 km North of P’YONGYANG (Details u/k).

PW had no knowledge of NK guerrilla activities.

Countless number of refugees who were heading south through PYONGYAEK approx 5 days ago began to return north from approx 3 days ago.

PW was drafted into the Japanese Army in Mar 1945 and returned to KOREA in Sep 45 after serving at SAPPORO, HOKKAIDO for approx 6 months.

For the AC of S, G-2: