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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 3989　13 March 1951

FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS NO. 0321)　1 March 1951

PW cooperative. Information considered reliable.

O/a 29 Oct 50, 370th Regt crossed the YALU River into KOREA from CHIAN, arriving KANGGYE on the same day. Regt worked its way south through YONGWON, MEANG-SAN, SONGCHON, CHORWON, and finally arrived KAPYONG 3 Jan 51, where it remained for approx 15 days, receiving communist political training, and also awaiting reinforcements. During this period the 370th Regt joined the rest of the division’s regiments (371st and 372d) 124th Div, however, did not receive any reinforcement at that time.

O/a 12 Feb 51, the 124th Div hoaded for WONJU and arrived approx 4 km NW of the city, 17 Feb 51. Upon arriving, the 371st and 372d Regt of the 124th Div attacked UN troops. Regt remained in the rear of the other two regiments. However on the next day, the division was forced to retreat to approx 12 km W of YONGDU-RI. Remained there for 3 days preparing food.

O/a 21 Feb 51, advanced eastward and arrived approx 1 km NW of YONGDU-RI. Upon arriving, the division took defensive positions, digging trenches and individual foxholes. Six days later, PW deserted and surrendered to elements of UN troops 270700 Feb 1951.

124th Division composed of the 370th, 371st, and 372d Regiments. Did not know the overall division strength, however, he stated that his 370th Regt had approximately 3,000 men, having lost about 500 men from the original strength.

PW regiment, besides usual rifle battalions had a M92 Gun Btry, 82mm Mortar Co, Recon Co, a Bazooka Sqd, and his 6th Co, (approx 70 men in the 6th Co and 400 men in the 2d Bn)

Prior to desertion as of 26 Feb 51, 2d Bn was approx 3 km NW of YONGDU-RI. The other two battalions of his regiment were approx 800 m E of YONGDU-RI. 370th Regt CP was to the rear and approx 4 km N of the 2d Bn, or 7 km NW of YONGDU-RI. 124th Div CP and two other regiments of the division were approx 12 km NW of YONGDU-RI.

125th Div was approx 2 km W of YONGDU-RI. 126th Div was approx 3 km NW of YONGDU-RI.

26 Feb 51, the 370th Regt equipped as follows:

While unit stationed at KAPYONG 4 Jan 51, it received a supply of food, consisting of ground corn and beans. Rubber shoes were also issued to the men in the unit at the same time. Thereafter, all food was looted or confiscated in raids made on farmers or villagers. The unit received an average of 2 meals per day.

Heard Co political leader state, 23 Feb 51, that the mission of the 370th Regt was to hold their present position for 20 days, at which time one army group from CHINA and one army group of the 3d CCF Field Army would arrive in the area presently held by them. One army group of the 3d CCF Field Army has already departed from FANGCHOLING to the battle zone. These army groups will launch an offensive pending the arrival of tanks and airplanes from CHINA. Strength of either of these 2 army groups or their contemplated routes of attack were not mentioned by the officer.

CHAO, (fnu) (趙), 30, CO 370th Regt

CHANG, (fnu) (張), 42, CO 2d Bn, 370th Regt

PAI Long (白龍), 24, CO 6th Co, 2d Bn

CHONG Win Chen (城■■), 22, 1st Plat Ldr, 6th Co

Observed approximately ten men suffering from frostbite, six men from flu and everyone was suffering from malnutrition in varying degrees.

Prior to desertion, PW picked up an UN Safe Conduct Surrender leaflet at the location where he deserted his unit, and kept it in his pocket for fear of it being detected in his possession, and read it while he was in the foxhole. Also just prior to his desertion, heard broadcast from a plane. The plane flew close enough so that the broadcast was clearly heard.

Morale of the unit was low, due to insufficient weapons, equipment. Improper combat training was having its effect also. Another reason was that most of the men in his regiment were formerly with the CNA and captured by CCF.

About 50 days ago, three men from each company of the 42d Army were sent to bring back 70 replacements (recruits) for each company of the 42d Army. These reinforcements will probably arrive at the front within a period of ten days. Replacements were to be picked up at LIAOTUNG Province (遼東省), MANCHURIA.

For the AC of S, G-2: