포로신문
보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 3528　28 February 1951

FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS MISD - 0273)　12 February 1951

PW was cooperative. Information obtained is considered fairly reliable.

342nd Regt crossed the YALU River via CHIAN, MANCHURIA 26 Oct 50, and arrived at TOKCHON (BU6904) 26 Nov 50.

1 Dec 50 departed TOKCHON and crossed the 38th Parallel 1 Jan 51. 6 Jan 51 arrived NAEGANG-NI and (CS3875), rested for approx 25 days. 1 Feb 51 departed NAEGANG-NI, marching SE. 2 Feb 51 crossed a large river over the ice and marched south and arrived at (CS543552) 3 Feb 51. 4 Feb 51 crossed the HAN River immediately (CS543552) 3 Feb 51. 4 Feb 51 crossed the HAN River immediately south of (CS543552).

After crossing HAN River, over the ice, proceeded SE for approx 6km, resting for 7 days. PW heard from a wounded soldier that the 42nd Army was located in this vicinity. 6 Feb 51 returned to the place where they crossed the HAN River then proceeded SW and 9 Feb 51, arrived at (CS542428).

101500 Jan 51 PW Co was overrun by UN troops and about 40-50 were taken prisoner.

The following organizations were identified:

114th Div: 340th, 341st, 342nd Regt; Security Company.

342nd Regt: 3 Rifle Bn; 2 Arty Btry

3rd Bn: 3 Rifle Co; Heavy Weapons Co

When the HAN River was crossed, PW estimated each battalion strength at 350 as of 4 Feb 51, and the artillery companies 100 each. His 8th Co and the Heavy Weapons Co had approx 100 each, the other two companies combined had approx 150 men.

At the time they were hit at (CS452428) PW estimated that 90% of his battalion suffered casualties or capture.

8th Co CP was located approx 100 meters south from the point of capture. Since he was in the mortar platoon, PW stated that his Co CP was located in front of their position. The CP was overrun when he was captured.

5th Co of the 2nd Bn was located at (CS452428). After the 342nd Regt arrived, the 5th Co withdrew on the same route on which the 342nd Regt came.

6 Feb 51 PW observed approx 100 Div Hq personnel at (CS545555) where they crossed the HAN River. They were marching in the same direction as the 342nd Regt.

20 men in PW Co were armed with MI rifles, and carbines with approx 70 rd of ammo each.

There were 6 LMG; with approx 600 rd each. Two 60mm mortars and 30 rd each, and each man carried one or two hand grenades.

8 Jan 51, at NAEGANG-NI (CS3875) PW received 20 gross of pork, 1 can of beef per six persons, and one pair of shoes each. A fellow solider told PW that these came on trucks from CHINA, whti hair escort from planes of Russian design.

Regt Comdr stated; on 9 Feb 51, that their mission was to hold present location for 4 or 5 days, after which victory would be attained. His assistant platoon leader quietly told him that he heard of two armies of the 3rd Field Army, coming from SHANGHAI will probably participate in the offensive around 14 Feb.

There were only four cases of frost bite in PW outfit. As far as he knew no communicable disease was prevalent.

They could not fire mortars and arty during the day for fear of giving away their positions to UN air spotters.

Three phases of operations were successfully completed so far. The first phase of operation was completed with the breakup of the TOKCHON are line, the second phase, when they crossed the 38th Parallel, and the third phase, when SEOUL fell and the HAN River was successfully crossed. He had no knowledge of other phase lines planned. Troops were told that it might be difficult to achieve the third phase since indications were that SEOUL was heavily defended, and also that HAN River had to be crossed before the river thawed. However, it was successfully achieved.

For the AC of S, G-2: