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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3968　12 March 1951

FIELD REPORT (24 DIV LDI 0224)　8 March 1951

PW and 4 other CCF voluntarily surrendered when unit was overrun by elements of 19th ROK Regt. Appeared to be in good physical condition at time of interrogation. Information considered fairly reliable. Cooperative and of average intelligence.

PW inducted into CNA at CHAHAR SHENG, SANGE SHIEN on May 48. 1 Jan 50, surrendered en masse (200,000) to CCF at PEKING. Sent to PUNGKU CHWAN where he received 2 months of Communist indoctrination until Mar 50 and later assigned to 42d Army, 126th Div, 378th Regt, Hv Wpn Co. 126th Div dispatched to HOPEI Province, NACHONG HSIEN and engaged in mopping up remnants of CNA for 6 months. 42d Army (124th, 125th, 126th Div) crossed into N KOREA via MANP’OJIN on 19 Oct 50. 42d Army crossed the 38th parallel with 124th Div spearheading the drive S 31 Dec 50. One month ago 378th Regt crossed HAN River where mission was to stop UN forces advancing N. Withdrew northward 15 days ago to vic of present location CS 776565. Immediately after arriving there 2d Bn (4th, 5th, 6th and Hv Wpn Co) dug defense positions. 070900 Mar 51 2d Bn area received heavy arty bombardment. 080900 Mar 2d Bn area attacked by friendly forces and 081400 Mar 51 the 4th and 5th Co retreated N after receiving heavy casualties. During retreat took opportunity to desert his unit and surrender to elements of 19th ROK.

42d Army composed of 124th, 125th and 126th Div. 126th Div composed of 376th, 377th and 378th Regt. 378th Regt composed of 1st, 2d, 3d Rifle Bn, Hq Security Co, Arty Btry, Mortar Co and Rcn Plat. 2d Bn composed of 3 Rifle Co, Hv Wpn Co, Signal Sqd, Medical Sqd and Messenger Sqd. After crossing HAN River 1st Plat assigned as an attached unit to 5th Co.

Locations of Units: (081400 Mar 51)

4th Co located 800 meters to the left or E and 6th Co located 500 meters W and to the rear. 2d Bn CP located 1 km W and rear of 5th Co.

Primary mission of 42d Army to fight a delaying action until reinforcements arrive.

f. Reinforcement:

42d Army received no reinforcements after entering KOREA. Middle of Jan 51, heard from political leader that 2 officers from each co departed for MANCHURIA to escort replacements. Quota for 42d Army 12,000 men.

Morale of troops very low due to air and arty attacks. Also lack of food. Troops dissatisfied because promised replacements did not arrive.

For the AC of S, G-2: