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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3865　8 March 1951

FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS MIDI 0294)　19 February 1951

PW had about 5 years of military service, and although cooperative during interrogation, he seemed unintelligent and possessed very little knowledge of value. Information is considered fairly reliable. Not recommended for further interrogation.

Volunteered in the 53rd Army (CNA) Sep 1944. May 49 captured at MUKDEN, MANCHURIA by 42nd Army (CCF) and assigned to 42nd Army, 125th Div, 373rd Regt, 1st Bn, 3rd Co, 1st Plat, 1st Sqd. 25 Sep 50, 373rd Regt departed CHIAN, MANCHURIA and crossed the YALU River over a railroad bridge. Passing MANPOJIN, Regt proceeded southeastward through mountain roads arriving in the vicinity of KOKSAN. Here regiment attacked ROK forces and occupied KOKSAN. After preparing defensive position for a period of one week, regiment marched southeastward through mountain roads arriving at the 38th Parallel 29 Dec 50, vic P’YONGYANG. Proceeded to YONGDU-RI arriving 1 Feb 51 via TONGDUCHON and KAPYONG.

After resting for two weeks, proceeded southeastward and arrived at an unk hill vic (DS048364) 16 Feb 51. Upon arrival, regt was observed by ROK forces and immediately attacked. Withdrew about 12 Km N where 1st Bn separated. 1st Bn marched southwestward arriving vicinity of a railroad bridge believed to be (CS965355). PW separated from his unit prior to reaching above location, and was captured 170800 Feb 51 by ROK forces.

Organization of unit:

4th Field Army: 38th, 39th, 40th, 41st, 42d, 50th, 52d Armies

42d Army: 124th, 125th, 126th and Arty Div (The artillery division crossed the YALU with the 42d Army, but neither seen nor heard of since then.)

125th Div: 373d, 374th, 375th, regt, engineer bn, security bn, recon bn, arty co, signal bn.

373rd Regt: 3 Bn, stretcher plat, signal plat, medical unit

1st Bn: 3 companies, HMG Co

3rd Co: 3 plat, 60mm mortar plat

Unit strength:

One Bn: 700 (original) 400 (present)

One Co: 150 (original) 70 (present)

Arms and ammo:

Company received 20 rd of 60mm mortar shells about one month ago.

Food was procured locally and PW ate twice dailty, which was sufficient. Rubber shoes issued to all troops of the 1st Bn at YONGDU-RI.

Heard from plat ldr that US forces are attacking North KOREA and that they (CCF) would stop the US aggression. The immediate mission of PW regiment was to attack the UN Forces.

WAN IL (完一), 47-48, CG 42nd Army

PONG Chin Ryun (■金龍) 30, CO 373rd Regt

LEE Chin Kai (李■開), 32, CO 1st Bn

SUN Loo San (■■山), 28 CO 3rd Bn

KOO (fnu) (郭), 23, 1st Plat Ldr

Did not know of any contagious disease among his unit, however, 50 men out of every Co were suffering from frostbite.

Received air attack often and 6% of all casualties were from air attack.

10 Feb 51, heard from plat ldr that 42d Army was presently in defensive position and after one month of preparation would attack and take offensive. Plat ldr further stated that should 42d Army be defeated, the 38th Army would come to its aid.

Morale was very low because the troops were forced to march at nights and live in foxholes.

For the AC of S, G-2: