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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3988　13 March 1951

FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS MID 0320)　1 March 1951

PW cooperative. Possessed very little tactical information.

125th Div entered KOREA 22 Oct 50 at CHIAN MANCHURIA, and MANP’OJIN, KOREA.

O/a 31 Dec 50, the 126th Div crossed the 38th parallel and entered KAPYONG (CS6987) where the Div was separated into regiments.

O/a 3 Jan 51, the 375th Regt arrived in MASONG-NI (CS7673), where it rested for 6 days. Then proceeded to the SOKKONG-NI (CS8943) area where it remained until 10 Feb 51, then departed south. After travelling approx 4 km it was engaged by UN Forces. 12 Feb 51, because of the onslaught of UN Forces, retreated to a point 2 km N of SOKKONG-NI. 20 Feb 51, reached a point approx 2 km NE of YONGDU-RI. 25 Feb 51, the 6th company relieved the 4th company which was fighting approx 300 meters NE of YONGDU-RI.

262000 Feb 51, PW deserted his unit. 270600 Feb 51, surrendered to elements of the 5th Cav at a point approx 4 km S of YONGDU-RI.

PW a member of the 42d Army composed of the 124th, 125th and 126th Div. Original strength of the 125th Div was 12000; however, at present, it had depleted to only 6000. Most of the losses were sustained through artillery bombardment. Air attacks demoralized the troops; however, losses due to air attacks are slight.

125th Div composed of the 373d, 374th, and 375th Regt with the 375th Regt having a present strength of approx 1400 men.

375th Regt composed of the 1st, 2d, 3d Bn and Ind Arty Btry. Present strength of the 1st Bn is approx 370 men and the 2d Bn is approx 300 men.

2d Bn composed of the 4th and 6th Co; also Ind Hvy Weapons Company. 6th Co has a present strength of 80 men. 5th Co left for South KOREA (when they were still in North KOREA) 25 Dec 50, with 2 NKA Bn, under the command of the assistant div CO to act as guerrilla forces behind UN lines and had not seen them since.

As of 26 Feb 51, the 6th Co CP and 2d Bn CP were approx 2 km NE of YONGDU-RI. They operated directly from air raid shelters.

Heard from plat ldr that the 375th Regt CP was 5 km NE of YONGDU-RI.

As of 26 Feb 51, the 4th Co CP was 2 km NE of YONGDU-RI.

Heard from plat ldr that the 3d Bn CP was 5 km NNE of YONGDU-RI.

Within his company, there were 2x60mm mortars with 20 rd of ammo each, 6 LMG with 500 rd of ammo each, 1 SMG with 200 rd of ammo, 18 carbines and US M-1 rifles with 120 rd of ammo each, 3 pistols, 10 kg of dynamite and in each sqd 2 antitank explosives. Besides this each man carried 4 hand grenades.

17 Feb 51, when in the SOKKONG-NI Area, each man received one pair of shoes and 1 pair of socks. These were both Manchurian made. Heard from company supply NCO that these were brought as far as HUICH’ON by train, after which they were loaded on trucks and brought forward.

Heard from political officers that the mission of the 6th Co was to hold their present position until replacements arrive from rear. Did not know whether the replacements were to be made by new arrivals from CHINA or from another unit already fighting in KOREA.

WANG Don Churn (王道全), 50, CG 125th Div

CHAO Li Shen (趙立■), 38, CO 375th Regt

WHO■ Won Fu (■■奉), 34, CO 6th Co, 375th Regt

NOE Du Hai (尹■海), 30, Political Officer

LOU Won Who (羅雲■), 35, Plat Ldr

Approx 20 percent of the troops in his company had been afflicted with a disease that causes the body to swell. Did not know what caused this sickness. Approx 90 percent of his company had itches, resulting from not taking baths.

Heard broadcasts on several occasions. These were very clear. This tempted everyone in his foxhole who were hungry and cold to surrender but the vigilance of superiors made such action difficult.

Morale of the troops was low because of constant artillery and air bombardments, insufficient food, and inferior weapons. Citations are being awarded as one means of building up morale.

PW company CO and 2 others left for TUNGHWA, MANCHURIA to bring back 80 hand-picked men from units stationed there. Each company in his regt sent representative to MANCHURIA for the same purpose. They left in a group 20 Jan 51. As yet they have not returned.

Heard from a soldier, 7 Feb 51, who came back from a hospital in KAPYONG that a tunnel located in that area was used as an arsenal. This arsenal held artillery shells, small arms, ammo, clothing and shoes.

30 Sep 50, in MUKDEN, Cheashi District, observed army barracks being built. Heard from a civilian who was working on this project that these barracks were being built to billet Russian soldiers.

O/a 24 Oct 50, just after crossing the YALU River, observed approx 200 trucks heading north and 10 of these were driven by Russians. PW stated he knew they were Russians, since he had seen them in MANCHURIA, and that Americans could not possibly be driving trucks that far north. These trucks were loaded with NKA troops and personal belongings.

For the AC of S, G-2: