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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3497　21 February 1951

FIELD REPORT (164-MISDI-1536)　15 February 1951

PW was cooperative and talked freely.

The information seems reliable.

PW conscripted into the NKA 28 Mar 49 at CHINNAMP’O (YC 1090). The following day the 47th Independent Brigade was activated. PW with 800 conscripts underwent basic infantry training with the unit.

2 Jan 50 after completing the infantry training, PW was selected with 150 others to attend an NCO Training School located in CHINAMP’O. Here, PW underwent advanced infantry training and also was taught mortar training. There were approx 400 trainees here, who were promoted to the rank of Sergeant upon graduating.

PW graduated 3 Jun 50 and was assigned to the 4th Div, 18th Regt, 3rd Bn, Mortar Co, 3rd Plat, 1st Squad as a squad leader.

15 Jun 50, PW departed CHINNAMP’O with the entire 4th Division by rail and arrived at NAMCHONJOM (BT 7346) after a day of traveling. This Unit detrained here and then marched eastward, arriving at SIBYON-NI (BT 9941) 6 days later. During that night, the 4th Division moved southward, arriving the following day at an unknown place approx 20 Km North of the 38th parallel. The next day, this division moved southward toward the 38th parallel, arriving at an unknown are of the IMJIN River.

25 Jun 50, the 4th Division CG ordered his units to fire everything they had and to cross the 38th parallel into South KOREA.

PW was slightly wounded in his right shoulder the following day, after advancing 10 Km South of the 38th parallel. PW received emergency treatment in this area and 1 Jul 50, he was evacuated to a hospital in SEOUL. PW was hospitalized for approx 20 days and then was ordered to return to his unit. PW rejoined his unit at CHANGNYONG (DQ 5433) 12 Aug 50.

15 Aug 50, the 4th Division engaged UN Forces, and on the following day, it retreated after suffering heavy casualties. PW estimated that only 20 men remained in each battalion. PW was wounded in this battle and was evacuated to a hospital in TAEJON. PW heard from patients arriving after him that the 4th Division had received replacements and was at combat strength. 30 Sep 50 PW, hearing that the NKA was on the retreat, fled the hospital with 30 other patients because they feared atrocities by UN troops.

PW arrived at SOHWA-RI (DT 3133) 11 Nov 50 after walking through unknown mountain routes. Here, PW and other stragglers were assigned to the 7th Division which had suffered heavy casualties. PW was assigned to the 702nd Regt, 532nd Bn, Mortar Co, 3rd plat, 1st Squad as squad leader.

15 Nov 50 the 7th Division departed southward via a mountain route, arriving in the HACH’OWON (DS 0854) area 20 Dec 50. The 7th Division’s mission at this time was to conduct guerrilla warfare and to conduct psychological warfare among the villagers.

PW was separated from his unit due to illness while the 7th Division moved to YONGDU-RI (CS 8757). PW rejoined his unit at YONGDURI 24 Jan 51. The following day, this division was attacked by UN units and PW was separated from his unit, while he was seeking a suitable mortar position. PW and two others decided to surrender to UN forces since they felt that it was useless to fight in the cold weather.

9 Feb 51, PW voluntarily surrendered to the 5th ROK Division.

The mission of the 7th Division was to conduct guerrilla activities and to conduct psychological warfare among the villagers.

V Corps: 6th, 7th and 12th infantry Divisions and other unknown units.

7th Division: 701st, 702nd, and 703rd Infantry Regiments and other unknown units.

702nd Regiment: 531st, 532nd, and 533rd Rifle Battalions, Supply Plat, AT Gun Plat, and Recon Platoon.

532nd Battalion: 3 Rifle Companies (1st - Code Name: SARIWON, 2nd - Code Name: SINKAE, 3rd Code Name: YONCHUN), Mortar Company (Code: HUKKYO), 1 HMG Company

Mortar Company: 3 Mortar Platoons.

3rd Platoon: 2 Squads.

The 7th Division was a reserve unit and did not see much combat. Casualties were mostly due to air attacks.

AN, Do Min, Capt, CO, Mortar Co, 532nd Bn, 702nd Regt.

On 25 Jan 51 the 7th Division received replacements and YONGDU-RI (CS 8757) when the 38th Division was deactivated. PW does not know how many were received but he knew that the mortar company received 25 men.

Food was obtained only through foraging.

No ammo received. 2 Feb 51, approx 50% of the 7th Division troops were issued new winter boots. These boots were made in CHINA, but PW does not know from what area these were brought in or what routes were taken to transport them.

Telephones used between battalion and higher echelon units. Runners were employed between lower units.

Morale of the troops was low because of the insufficient amount of food and clothing. Due to many cases of sickness, PW believes that 7th Division cannot wage a major battle.

Approx 30% of the 7th Division were suffering from some kind of unknown disease. These were evacuated to rear areas.

PW surrendered voluntarily because he felt that there were no reasons to continue fighting.

PW saw leaflets.

The leaflets urged him to surrender immediately for good food and treatment was awaiting.

It made a little impression on him, but it was not a great factor in his capture.

For the AC of S, G-2: