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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 3937　10 March 1951

FIELD REPORT (25 DIV - LDI - No Number)　20 February 1951

PW appeared in good physical condition. Has 1 year service in CNA 208th Youth Division, 7th Regt, 1st Bn, 1st Co, 60mm mortar Plat. Assigned later to CNA 103d Army, 347th Div, 1040 Regt, 2d Bn, 4th Co, 60mm mort Plat as platoon leader where he served approx 3 years. 6 months ago 347th Div was captured at KWANGSI SHENG, CHINA. Then assigned to his present unit. Appears to be intelligent. Information is considered fairly reliable. He was very cooperative. Recommended for further interrogation.

Eng Bn of 38th Army Hq has 3 companies with each company’s T/O strength approx 150. Total original strength of Eng Bn was approx 450. Bn arrived KOREA with 38th Army, but since arriving KOREA PW has not seen the other two companies.

Strength of Units:

16 Feb 51 Hq 38 Army moved from near N side of HAN River RR bridge at SEOUL. Movement required 6 hours and covered about 32 kilometers. Movement was made over main road and did not cross any large rivers. Deserted 192000 Feb 51 and walked about 3 hours when he arrived HAN River. Slept near river from approximately 192300 to 200630 Feb at which time he crossed HAN River. Crossing was made over an underwater bridge. Water flowing over bridge was approx 1 foot deep. This underwater bridge was wide enough to permit vehicular traffic. After crossing PW walked approx 2 km and waded across another river. Depth of the water was approx 3½ feet. Walked from about 0800 to 1200 hours at which time he was captured by American troops (vic CS5247). PW walked almost due S from Hq 38 Army.

1st and 2nd Divisions of 38th Army moved with Hq 38th Army 16 Feb 51. 3rd Div remained behind at former location of 38th Army Hq. PW saw 50 - 60 CCF troops at intervals last night between 2000 - 2300 hours. The last group of troops were estimated 400 meters N of HAN River. These troops appeared to be in positions on high ground.

16 Feb 51 heard from officer of Bn CO rank or higher, that orders were to be issued ordering 38th Army back to CHINA for reorganization as the army had sustained such heavy losses that it was not capable of further combat.

Heard 16 Feb 51 that elements of 39th Army arrived vic of Hq 38th Army. (An earlies interrogation by Regt IPW indicates that PW stated 39th Army was relieving 38th Army. PW states that such is not the case; that there must have been a misunderstanding during previous interrogation.) Heard 1 Feb 51 from officer that 40th, 41st, and 42d CCF armies were in combat to the E. 18 Feb 51 he talked with about 10 soldiers from 26th CCF Army; that they had just arrived from MANCHURIA. These troops were wearing the standard CCF hand sewn padded uniforms of a light green color with jackets that buttoned down the middle. These troops wore winter caps with earflaps and a visor. PW states 38 and 39 Army troops are issued NKA winter uniforms. Heard 18 Feb 51 from an officer that 26th CCF army was relieving the 38th Army.

Approximately 12 of every plat of the Eng Co have rifles. All troops carry 1 hand grenade per man. The Mountain Artillery Bn originally had 12 mountain artillery pieces, of a calibre slightly larger than that of a 60mm mortar. These pieces were pulled by two horses. PW believes all have been destroyed by UK arty and air.

His company was receiving 2 meals per day. Troops of infantry Units were suffering from a shortage of food. A standard greeting among troops of 38th Army was, “Are you getting anything to eat?” Many troops, have been heard to reply that they had not eaten for as long as 8 days.

Morale of the troops was very low due to shortage of food, lack of adequate clothing and their constant desire to return to CHINA. Many troops desire to surrender due to the extreme hardships they are encountering.

Secretly picked up a surrender leaflet 20 days ago. This leaflet influenced him to a large extent in deserting his unit. One half of his company have read leaflets and many of them desire to surrender. 2/3 of his company are able to read. There is no need of additional leaflets being dropped as almost all 38 Army have seen these leaflets. Numerous leaflets can be seen in the mountains. PW has heard plane broadcasts, but the text was not audible.

PW company has no mines nor has company emplaced any mines.

PW company has no heavy equipment. Troops of the company carry hand tools such as axes, shovels, hammers and picks.

Hq 38th Army area was attacked by air on 2 occasions during the past week. Losses were light. Hq 38 Army has been attacked by air on many occasions during daylight hours and sustained many casualties.

For the AC of S, G-2: