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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 3949　12 March 1951

FIELD REPORT (164 MISDI 1658)　6 March 1951

PW memory for place names, dates and numbers was good. Since he had a better than average education, his observation and accuracy seemed reliable.

Conscripted 14 Sep 50 at CHUNAM MYON (EA 6575). After receiving 20 days of Infantry Basic Training at SARIWON (YC 4058), PW and approx 5 Battalions (3,000 men) of equally trained men marched to CHAGANG DO (phonetic), arriving early Nov 50. Here, PW was assigned to present unit, the III Corps, 15th Div, 48th Regt, 3d Bn, HMG Co, 2d Plat.

5 Dec 50 3d Bn, marched south to TOKCH’ON (YE7806), arriving 10 Dec 50. Remained at TOKCH’ON until 17 Dec 51, when it continued southward to CHANGIM-NI (BU 7353), arriving 25 Dec 50. The next day 3d Bn continued until 1 Jan 51, when it arrived KUMAN-NI (CT 9317). After 2 days here, Bn traveled to INJE (DT 2812), arriving 6 Jan 51. Bn remained at INJE for 10 days, then marched to KANGNUNG (DS 9578), arriving 23 Jan 51. After remaining here 3 days, traveled on foot to CHINBU-RI (DS 6278), where it remained for 5 days.

5 Feb 51, the march continued southward to MUNAM-NI (DS 1647), arriving 16 Feb 51. Then they marched to PANGNIM-NI (DS 4942). 3d Bn remained at PANGNIM-NI for two days. It then marched north to SAMAN-NI (phonetic), arriving on 24 Feb 51 and remained here for one day.

The PW became lost from his unit while the Bn was engaging UN Forces at SAMAN-NI on 25 Feb 51.

Not able to locate any NKA troops, the PW and another member of his platoon remained at an occupied farm house for 3 days. During the morning of 28 Feb 51, civilian told them they should surrender to the US or ROK troops. He and his companion left and surrendered to US troops.

While marching southward, the 3d Bn followed the main roads but traveled only at night.

48th Regt, 15th Div located on a mountain NNW of PANGNIM-NI (DS 4942) and its mission was to defend same. A river made a semi-circle around the mountain.

3d Bn engaged in combat only 30 minutes when he became separated from his unit.

III Corps: 1st, 3d, 15th - Code Number: 779 Rifle Divisions

15th Rifle Div: 48th, and 2 unknown Rifle Regiments

48th Rifle Regt: 1st, 2d - Code: KURUMNAMU (구름나무), and 3d Rifle Battalions.

3d Rifle Bn: 1st, 2d, 3d Rifle Companies, HMG Co, Mortar Co (82mm), Supply Platoon, Medical Platoon, Anti-tank Platoon (PTRS-1941 AT Rifles), AT Plat (45mm Guns) (Since there were no 45mm guns in this Platoon the personnel were used as riflemen).

HMG Company: 1st, 2d and 3d HMG Platoons

Code: KURUMNAMU KKOPCHIL

AN In Ha (안인하)

Lt, CO, HMG Weapons Co, 3d Bn

CH’OE Il Han (최일한)

This officer had spent some time in CHINA and spoke Chinese fluently.

LEE Tu Ch’an (이두찬)

Col, CO, 48th Regt

Was CO of 48th Regt since Dec 50, and he had spent about ten years in CHINA.

3 ROK Privates were integrated into the HMG Co, 3d Bn in late Dec 50 at INJE. They were well-treated, given shoes and other clothing which was better than that of the other troops.

Troops of the HMG Co, 3d Bn received about 900 grams of food per day, consisting mostly of rice, and irregularly, some corn, soya bean or red beans.

Bn supply Plat obtained this food from Regimental Hq.

Runners used up to Battalion level. From Bn to Regt, an officer courier and a field phone employed.

The morale of the 3d Bn was low because of long march from SARIWON. The men were tired of army life and wished to return to their homes.

5% of men in 3d Bn were die-hard Communist Party members and had a strong aggressive spirit. Others were not interested in Communism and had no will to fight but were forced to do so.

EM of 3d Bn had same amount of training that he did (20 days of Infantry training at SARIWON). Their only battle experience was during their recent engagement in the vicinity of PANGNIM-NI (DS 6962).

Observed approximately 1,000 ROK PW at CHAGANG-DO, marching north.

Two officers and approx 65 of the men of the 3d Bn left behind because of typhus, during march southward from CHAGANG-DO. Others left behind because of tuberculosis and sore feet.

No preventive treatment was given for any disease.

No frozen feet cases occurred in the 3d Bn.

Had never heard any loudspeaker broadcasts and never saw any leaflets, however, he did hear of some which said “MacARTHUR will treat you well if you surrender to the US Army.” PW stated that from discussions of them he had gathered that most of the men believed they would not be killed if captured. Many of the men in the 3d Bn would surrender if they had the opportunity. Most were tired of army life and wanted to return home.

For the AC of S, G-2: