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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3183　5 February 1951

FIELD REPORT (164 MISDI - 1404)　22 January 1951

PW sincere. Information seems very reliable. Recommend that attention be invited to unit locations and activities.

10th Div as of 17 Jan 51, was composed of Med Bn, Engr Bn, Sig Bn, the 25th, 27th, 29th Inf Regt’s, and Arty Regt.

Inf Regt composed of 3 Cos of about 120 men; 3 Plats of 40 men constituted a Co. Plat was made up of 4 Sqds of about 10 men each.

Arty Regt composed of approx 1,000 men. 3 Bns and composite Co of Sig, Recon, and Obsn Sections.

Bn composed of 250 men divided into 3 Btrys of 70 men each.

Btry composed of 2 Gun Plats and composite (Sig - Observation) Plat.

A gun plat had 20 men and the composite (signal - observation) Plat had 25 men. Gun plat composed of 2 Gun Sections of 10 troops each. Composite (Signal - Observation) Plat had 2 sections, the Sig section and the Obsn section.

Sig Section had 15 men. Obsn section 10 men.

PW believes that a 82mm Mort Unit of unk strength is attached to each Inf Regt.

Arty Plat:|Original (June 50)|Present (16 Jan 51)

Personnel:

EM|20|10

Officer|1|1

ToTal|21|11

Equipment & Ammo:|Original (June 50)|Present (16 Jan 51)

76mm Guns|2 (140 rds ea)|0

Trucks, 2 1/2 Ton|2|0

SMGs (PPSH 41)|2 (140 rds ea)|2 (140 rds ea)

Rifles, M1891/30|18 (50 rds ea)|8 (50 rds ea)

Grenades|1 per man|1 per man

Binoculars|5 (Sqd Ldrs - Section Ldrs)|5

Composite (Signal - Observation) Plat:

Personnel:|Original (June 50)|Present (16 Jan 51)

EM|25|10

Officer|1|1

Total|26|11

Equipment & Ammo:

Field Telephone (Russian)|1|1

Binoculars|5|5

Wireless (Russian)|3|0

Arty Range Finder (Russian)|1|0

SMGs (PPSH 41)|3 (140 rds ea)|3 (140 rds ea)

Rifles (M-1891/30)|22 (50 rds ea)|7 (140 rds ea)

Grenades|1 (per man)|1 (per man)

Arty Btry:

Personnel:

EM|70|30

Officers|5|5

ToTal|75|35

Equipment and Ammo:

76mm Arty guns|4 (140 rds per)|0

Trucks, 2 1/2 Ton|4|0

Other weapons same as above.

Arty Bn:

Personnel:

EM|222|111

Officers|28|23

Total|250|134

Equipment & Ammo:

Same as above except that there is an additional 2 1/2 Ton truck.

Regt - Composite - (Signal & Observation - Recon) Company:

Personnel:

EM|76|50

Officers|4|4

Total|80|54

Arty Regt of the 10th Div at present does not have a single artillery piece.

Artillery pieces of the 3rd Bn were either captured or destroyed by UN Forces in Vic BUNGJU (DQ3574). The artillery pieces of the 1st and 2nd Bns, together with the ammo, were buried somewhere between SONGJU and KORYONG (DQ3354).

Prior to burial, artillery pieces and ammo were given a coat of grease and they were wrapped with canvas.

If he were taken to the vicinity between SONGJU and KORYONG, he would be able to locate the area where they were buried.

Because the Arty Regt does not have equipment, at present, its key personnel are inactive. A large percentage of the troops have been used as replacements for the 25th, 27th and 29th Inf Regts.

PW was told by his Btry CO that the CCF will give the 10th Div, Arty Regt new artillery pieces.

According to his Co comdr each Btry will receive one gun. (Date of delivery, location etc, unknown).

15 Jan 51, 10th Div Hqs, Div Arty (Weaponless), 25th, 27th, and 29th Inf Regts were at TAKYUNG MYON, TOKC’HON (DR4578).

On the night of 15 Jan 51, all elements of the 10th Div, together with Div Hqs, marched over mountain trails bordering the TANYANG-YONGJU Highway, by-passing YONGJU (DR6676). 16 Jan 51, 10th Div and its elements arrived at a point 6 kms S of YONGJU.

16 Jan 51, PW and two others spent several hours sleeping in a farmhouse on the road-side. When he awoke, his unit had already departed for an unknown destination.

He was told by the villagers that his unit departed for YECHON (DR5167). While attempting to locate his unit, PW and 2 others were captured by a US patrol.

The mission of 10th Div is to infiltrate UN lines, to disrupt communication supply lines and to establish road blocks on a pre-determined date when the CCF will make an all-out attack. (Date unknown).

PW heard from his Btry CO that movement for this all-out attack has already started. PW was told that o/a 21 Dec 50 a strong force of CCF started to move down the East coast and at the same time another force of similar strength was already moving down through central KOREA from the 38th Parallel. He also heard that some CCF units from the west coast have been moved to the central sector (of the line). The CCF forces on the East and West coast will have a greater strength than that of the Central force. On a predetermined date the CCF forces on the East and West coast will attempt to make a rapid advance, while the central force will move slowly, permitting the execution of a double envelopment.

PW heard that before this all-out attack by the CCF is made, all elements of I and II North Korean Corps will have infiltrated UN positions. (Mission: guerrilla warfare, disrupting communications and supply lines, and to set up road blocks.)

When setting up road blocks or disrupting supply lines, the 10th Div is planning to use box type land mines (size is similar in appearance to that of the North Korean HMG ammo box). PW saw a few land mines carried by engr troops of 10th Div. He believes there are more than those he had observed.

Conscripted 9 Jul 50 at YANGYANG (DT7805) with 500 others and without formal training PW was assigned to 10th Div, Div Arty in CHECHON (DS3101).

PW and the 500 newly conscripted other men marched to CHECHON, arriving o/a 20 Jul 50.

O/a Aug 50, 10th Div Arty, which then was just being organized, was dispatched to SEOUL to draw artillery pieces. Enroute to SEOUL, Regt marched and sometimes rode in vehicles. O/a 15 Aug 50, Div Arty arrived in SEOUL and was issued 4 2 1/2 ton trucks and 4 76mm artillery pieces per btry.

Upon receiving artillery pieces and trucks, unit departed for TAEGU, by way of SUWON (CS2528), TAEJON (CR6020) and KUMCHON (DQ2197).

Because of constant air attacks unit was delayed for about two weeks.

O/a 1 Sep 50, unit arrived at SONGJU (DR3574). From 1 Sep 50, to about the middle of Sep 50, unit engaged UN Forces vic SONGJU until in received orders to retreat.

When 10th Div began to retreat, Div Arty, 25th, 27th and 29th Regts were not dispersed or disorganized like most North Korean units.

From SONGJU, PW’s unit marched South to vic KORYONG (DQ3354) where they buried their artillery pieces and ammo.

From KORYONG unit took mountain trails of the SOBAEK and TAEBAEK Mountain ranges and made their way to Vic YANGGU (DT1218). From YANGGU, unit marched to HWACHON (CT8718) and arrived there by approx mid-Nov 50. When unit arrived at HWACHON, it was joined by Div Hqs, 25th, 27th and 29th Regts.

O/a 25 Dec 50, 10th Div received orders from the II NKA Corps to move South. Div marched through the TAEBAEK Mt range until in arrived at TOKCHON (DR4578). On 15 Jan 51 Div started for ANDONG (DR6545) by way of YONGJU (DR6675).

Upon arrival at a place 6 kms South of YONGJU, PW and 2 others overslept in a farm house. When they woke up, unit had departed.

While attempting to locate it, PW’s were captured by a US patrol.

CHOE, Hyon (최현), Maj Gen,

CG, II NKA Corps, (Formerly 2nd Div CG)

CHANG, Ki Yo (장이여), Col,

CO, Div Arty, 10th Div

HAN, Bong Son (한봉선), Maj,

CO, 2nd Bn, Div Arty

LEE, Chan Hae (이찬혜), Sr Lt,

CO, 1st Btry, 2nd Bn, Div Arty

HAN, Su Ho (한수호), Jr Lt,

Section Ldr, 1st Btry, 2nd Bn, Div Arty

Composite (Communication - Observation) Section

CHOE, Jong Hyon (최■■), Jr Lt,

Section Ldr, 1st Gun Section, 1st Btry, 2nd Bn

PAK, Chong Sun (박총현), Jr Lt,

Section Ldr, 2nd Gun Section. 1st Btry, 2nd Bn

10th Div received no replacements. PW claims that there was no complete reorganization of 10th Div because when PW’s unit left YANGGU in Nov 50, 10th Div total strength was 5,000.

8. AMMO AND FOOD SUPPLIES:

Troops of 10th Div got their food supplies from villages along their route of march.

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

a. PW was captured.

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

a. Negative

c. Can you describe what they said?

a. Negative

d. What was your reaction to them?

a. Negative

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

a. Negative

10. ARTILLERY:

a. Where was your unit trained? The officers? The NCO’s?

The officers and NCO’s in the 10th Div, Arty Regt were trained in PYONGYANG prior to the outbreak of war. Most of the enlisted personnel did not have formal arty training.

b. How long has your unit been in combat? Where?

Since the outbreak of the war to the middle of Sep 50. The PW’s arty Regt’s guns were either captured or buried prior to its retreat to North KOREA. For combat history, refer to “PERSONAL & UNIT HISTORY”.

c. What casualties has it had? What caused the casualties? (i.e. air strikes, counter-batry, infantry).

PW’s Regt at present is 50% short of its T/O. PW’s Regt suffered most of its casualties from aircraft and counter-battery fire.

d. What has been the effect of counter-battery fire on your unit?

At the NAKTONG River front in Sep 50, unit suffered about 10% casualties from counter-batter fire.

e. Are the men afraid of air attacks?

PW’s Regt was most afraid of air attacks.

f. What do they do when they are attacked by air?

When attacked by aircraft, gun crews usually take cover in camouflaged foxholes or in the brush if available. The guns are left unattended while under air attacks.

g. With what type of weapon is your battalion armed?

10th Div, Div Arty was armed with 76mm AT Guns.

h. Where was the weapon manufactured and what is the model?

RUSSIA, M-1942.

i. What is the caliber?

76mm.

j. What is its maximum range?

12,900 meters maximum range. (other data on range, elevation, traverse, etc. unknown)

k. How is it moved?

Guns were moved by trucks.

l. What type ammunition do you use? What are the characteristics of the ammunition?

Contact, explosive, fragmentation shells and AT tank and AP shells.

m. What type fuses are available? What are the characteristics of the fuse (each type?

PW had not seen fuse-set shells in use by his regiment.

n. How many rounds of ammunition are carried by the battery?

Each battery had 4 76mm AT Guns (140 rds per)

o. Did your battery have plenty of ammunition?

Ammo always plentiful.

p. What restrictions were placed on firing?

Firing of artillery was controlled by the forward observer at all times. Firing was usually restricted to troop concentrations and vehicles.

q. Did your battery have armor piercing shells?

Yes, 5 rds per gun.

r. What type of transportation is used to bring ammo forward to gun positions?

Ammo was brought to the forward positions by trucks whenever possible. During daylight “A” frame bearers are conscripted from nearby villages to carry ammo.

s. What roads are used to transport ammo?

Roads used to haul ammo for PW’s unit have been in the hands of UN forces since Sep 50.

t. How much ammo does your battery expend in a day?

Firing of arty is directed by forward observer and fire control officer. The most that they are able to fire in a days time is approximately 150 rds per gun.

u. How do you organize your position area?

Selection of gun positions is directed by company commander.

v. What do you use for camouflage material?

When camouflaging guns, fresh tree branches were used. PW has no knowledge of the use of camouflage nets. Winter camouflage is unknown because PW unit at present does not have a single arty piece, although they are still designated as the Arty Regt of 10th Div.

w. Do you dig slit trenches?

Whenever a gun position is prepared, a slit trench neatly camouflaged with vegetation is dug. (Gun is camouflaged with vegetation also).

x. Do you dig the guns in?

PW has no knowledge of his regt digging gun emplacements.

y. Where are your btry/company machine guns usually located with respect to the guns?

PW battery never had machine guns protecting the btry.

z. How many mortars, machine guns, A/T guns are used in the security of your position area? Is infantry employed for position area security? Are tanks employed for position area security?

None. The gun crew were responsible for the security of the gun position.

aa. How are the guns employed - as single gun; by battery (company, by battalion)?

Battery’s guns were usually placed about 30 meters apart on a line. Depending on the terrain, guns were employed in sections, batteries, or in Battalions.

bb. Are the guns normally employed in general support?

Guns employed usually in direct support of the advancing inf.

cc. Are they normally intended as offensive weapons or as defensive weapons?

Arty is normally intended as an offensive weapon.

dd. What is the normal composition of infantry - arty team? (How many weapons accompany an infantry bn? An inf (regt)?

Each Inf Bn has the support of one arty batry; 1 Regt, has 1 Arty Bn.

ee. When the inf - arty team is constituted, who commands, the inf comdr or the arty comdr?

When the Inf - arty team is constituted the Inf comdr is the over-all comdr.

ff. What type of communication is available?

Field phones and wireless.

gg. What is the principal method of communication used by your unit?

Field phones and wireless.

hh. How reliable is this means of communication?

Field phones are most reliable. Wireless is used only when the phone is out of order.

ii. What type of observation does your unit employ?

Observation is visually by field glasses.

jj. How many observers does each battery usually use to adjust fire?

Observers for a Btry are composed of the Btry CO and 10 enlisted men.

kk. How do they communicate with the batry?

By telephone.

ll. What method of fire control procedure is used?

Fire control was by the batry comdr who is also a forward observer.

mm. What barrages, concentrations, interdicting missions did your batry fire?

Fired on troop concentration and vehicles.

nn. Can your unit mass fires of the batteries, battalions, regiment?

Yes, upon orders of the Regt CO.

oo. Who maintains liaison with the infantry: What authority does he have as a liaison representative? From whom does he receive his instructions and orders?

The Regt’l liaison officer is responsible for all liaison during combat between infantry and artillery.

pp. Have you heard of any mention of reference to the azimuth-direction of compass of American guns located by sound or flash methods?

No

qq. Do you use meteorological information?

No

For the AC of S, G-2: