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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3811　6 March 1951

FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS MIDI-0257)　7 February 1951

UNIT: 38th CCF Army, 113th Div, 337th Regt, 2nd Bn, HMG Co

DATE OF CAPTURE, PLACE: Captured 041400 Feb 51 at CS457335.

Prisoners were cooperative during interrogation, but due to their low ranks and lack of education, they were not too well informed. Information obtained is considered fairly reliable. Further interrogation is not recommended.

The 337th Inf Regt entered KOREA at MANP’OJIN in Oct 50 and traveled southward via KANGGYE, HUICH’ON, KUJANG, TOKCH’ON, SAMSO-RI (YD5385), YONCHON, POCHON (CS4394) and arrived 22 Jan 51 at a large village believed to be CHO-RI (CS490568).

The 2nd Bn was stationed in village and the remainder of the Regt was believed to be in the nearby hills. After resting for approx 10 days, 2nd Bn departed the village 1 Feb 51, ahead of the remainder of the Regt, and continued southward crossing HAN River over the ice at CS487528. It arrived at hill CS467336 on 030200 Feb 51 where PW were subsequently captured. The remainder of the Regt arrived in the area the same night. At 0800 hr of the same day, the hill was subjected to an all out attack by UN arty, air, and infantry. The Regt successfully managed to hold the hill until 1800 hr, however, of 6 HMG in PW Co 2 HMG were knocked out and 2 more were believed probably knocked out. After the attack ended, the PW hid in a cave for the night. On 040800 Feb 51 Un Forces began a second all out attack on the area, but PW remained in the cave since their guns were destroyed and no orders for withdrawal were received. The same day, the UN Forces advanced into the area and captured the PW. After PW emerged from their cave, they observed their Co and Bn were gone.

Attached to 38th Army were a litter bearer co, a gun bn and a rear sv unit, which was organized with a security bn, a guard co and a field hospital.

A litter bearer co, a 82mm mortar co, and rear sv unit. The latter consisted of a med unit and a security co, and a sig plat were attached to the 113th Div Hq.

The 337th Regt had an attached litter bearer co, a 82mm mortar co, and also a rear sv unit consisting of a security co, a med unit and a sig plat. The regt was composed of 3 rifle bn, each of which had 3 rifle co and a HMG co. The latter consisted of 2 HMG plat and a 82mm mortar plat. The rifle co had 3 rifle plat and a 60mm mortar plat.

Strength of their Co before it engaged the enemy 3 Feb 51 was 90-100 men. When it first entered KOREA there were approx 250 men. The drastic reduction was due mostly to battle casualties. Their company suffered the heaviest casualties in the engagement at SAMSO-RI 5 Dec 50.

The 337th Regt was awaiting reinforcements while in the vicinity of CHO-RI. However, due to counterattacks by UN Forces, the Regt proceeded south without receiving reinforcements in order to stop the counterattacks.

Their company never was reinforced after it entered KOREA.

Their HMG Co had 6 HMG, 4 of which are believed to be destroyed on the hill where they were captured. Each HMG was always supplied with 1,750 rd of ammo. This amount was always required, and was always resupplied from captured enemy ammo after each battle. There were 7 ammo bearers, and 5-6 gunners for each HMG. All men in the Co carried one grenade each. The 82mm Mortar Plat in the Co had 3 tubes. The Rifle Co were equipped with 9 LMG with 800-900 rd of ammo each and three 60mm mortars with 30 rd each. Rifles were Jap M-38 US rifles M1903 (captured from CNA), captured US M-1 rifles and carbines (100 rd per rifle).

The 337th Regt and 113th Div Mortar Co were equipped with six 82mm mortars each. All 82mm mortar shells were carried on pack horse.

Never received a resupply of ammo from the rear.

Received one set of winter clothing and 3 pairs of rubber soled canvas shoes prior to entering KOREA. They received another pair of Korean made shoes at SAMSO-RI in Dec 50. No other supplies of clothing were received.

Were usually fed twice daily with rice, which was nearly always sufficient. Food was always procured locally, and PW never suffered a food shortage.

The 337th Regt crossed HAN River and proceeded to the hill in the vic CS467336 to stop counterattacking UN Forces.

Prior to entering KOREA, PW were told by the Co CO that it was their objective to fight their way to PUSAN.

There was only one man in PW Co who was sent to the rear for frostbite. 9-10 men were suffering from frostbite but were able to walk. There were no cases of disease, sickness, or malnutrition in the Co to the knowledge of the PW. Greatest problem was fatigue from constant marching. Second was the cold weather.

Prior to entering KOREA, PW was told that the US had invaded North KOREA and that they must go to KOREA to fight them before CHINA is invaded. They were told it was their objective to drive US forces cut of KOREA.

For the AC of S, G-2: