포로신문
보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 4055　17 March 1951

FIELD REPORT (164 MISDI 1677)　9 March 1951

Cooperative and talked freely. He was grateful for the good treatment he has received so far.

Almost illiterate and the place names listed in this report are phonetic. Nevertheless, information seems reliable.

Inducted into CNA 89th Army, 6th Independent Brigade, 18th Regt, in Jul 41 at CHUNGCHUAN.

Surrendered with 18th Regiment to CCF Aug 47 at HUAAN HSIEN.

PW then underwent infantry and political training for a period of six months. After completing this training, PW were assigned to the CCF Independent 3d Division; PW was assigned to the 21st Regiment. Worked on a farm with the entire regiment. In Feb 49, departed with the entire 21st Regiment to SHENYANG, arriving after approx 40 days of marching. Here, the regiment battled with CNA forces, and after a month of battle, PW was captured. He was then assigned to the CNA 71st Army, 88th Division.

6 Jun 49, the PW surrendered with the entire CNA 88th Division to the CCF at MO CH’ANG HSIEN. Unit was disbanded and its troops were integrated into units of the CCF 38th Army; PW assigned to the 114th Div, 342d Regiment.

8 Jun 49 departed with the entire 38th Army to TIENCHIN which conducted mopping up operations on elements of the CNA between TIENCHIN and FUBOSUNG. 38th Army then left for BUSHIFU, arriving late Feb 50.

Nov 50, departed with entire 38th Army and arrived CHIAN during early Dec 50.

Army then crossed the YALU River and advanced southward, passing through TOKCH’ON (BV6707), P’YONGYANG and arrived in the vicinity of CHO-RI (CS 4857) 22 Feb 51. Army battled with UN Forces 3 times prior to arriving at this place.

5 Mar 51, the PW deserted and voluntarily surrendered to 27th RCT 7 Mar 51.

114th Division was to defend the CHO-RI (CS 4857) area.

Usually, a mine field was laid in a defensive position but the Division had no mines. In this area, observed 4 howitzers emplaced in mountain. Appeared to be similar to the Japanese model-4 (1915) 150mm type howitzer.

4th Field Army: 13th and 2 other Army Groups.

13th Army Group: 38th, and 2 other Armies. Artillery Division.

38th Army: 112th, 113th, and 114th Divisions. Guard Battalion, Howitzer Battalion, Medical Unit.

114th Division: 340th, 341st, and 342d Rifle Regiments, Howitzer Battalion, and other unknown units.

342d Regiment: 1st, 2d and 3d Rifle Battalions, Mortar Company, Guard Company.

1st Battalion: 1st, 2d and 3d Rifle Companies, HMG Company.

2d Company: 1st, 2d and 3d Rifle Platoons, Mortar Platoon.

1st Platoon: 1st, 2d and 3d Rifle Squads.

Remarks: 1st Battalion suffered heavy casualties from UN air and artillery attacks.

All officers of the 2d Company of the 1st Battalion were KIA.

O/a 1 Feb 51, 2d Company of 1st Bn, 342d Regiment received 16 replacements. These troops were from an Independent Replacement Regiment which had been organized in the HUANAN area and had entered KOREA in Mid-Jan 51. Talked to some of them who claimed that they had undergone about 3 months of basic infantry and political training. They arrived with no weapons and their morale was high because of their confidence (through political training) in future victory. According to the replacements, all men between the ages of 18 to 25 who were able to walk were being conscripted into the CCF in CHINA and MANCHURIA; the age limit will be lifted to 38 in the near future.

Heard from these men that 2 Army Group of the 3d Field Army will reinforce the CCF in KOREA; these were to enter KOREA soon after the Independent Replacement Regiment.

Soldiers received approx 7 Kg of flour mixed with powdered rice, corn and beans once a week. This was mixed with water into a paste and was eaten in this form. No other food was received.

Ammo supply of the 2d Company was replenished once at CHO-RI (CS 4857) o/a 25 Feb 51. 4 wooden boxes were received which contents, the PW believed, were 60mm mortar shells.

During early Jan 51, observed 30 large howitzers in the area of the 13th Army Group, headquarters at TOKCH’ON (BV 6706).

Heard from an artillery man that these pieces were Japanese type 88 howitzers. (PW was shown the illustrations in the “HANDBOOK of JAPANESE MILITARY FORCES” but none looked similar). Barrel of the gun was approx 3 meters long, which was mounted on 1.25m (in diameter) steel wheels. The trail was about 2.5m long. Observed each piece being drawn by 8 horses. Saw 7 (Chinese and Japanese make) truck loads of ammunition; this ammo packed in 1 x 1 x .5 on wooden boxes. Heard that the ammo was manufactured in CHINA.

During the day, horses and trucks were hidden in wooded areas, and at night each horse was covered with a blanket of horsehide leather so as not to let the horse’s hair reflect any light. Guns were white-washed and camouflaged with shrubs and mats.

Did not observe any CCF aircraft but heard from a liaison officer during mid Feb 51, that there were approx 80 CCF aircraft parked in an airfield at P’YONGYANG. Also heard that these aircraft were not to support the infantry in the front lines but were to be used only to guard the supply routes between P’YONGYANG and ANTUNG.

Battalion and higher echelon units used telephones, runners were used in lower echelon units. Bugles and flares (blue and yellow) were also used but only the platoon leader and superior officers knew these signals.

Morale of the troops was low because of the inadequate amount of food, clothing, and weapons.

Observed 10 US PW during late Jan 51 in the vicinity of the 38th parallel.

There were 7 cases of frozen feet in the 2d Company. These were evacuated to the rear on litters.

PW voluntarily surrendered because of insufficient food, and also because of his having no confidence in victory.

Read a UN leaflet which urged him to surrender. Also heard a loudspeaker broadcast. The speaker stated that he was from PEKING, and that since he was receiving good treatment, he urged the troops to dismiss the propaganda of their political officers and to surrender immediately.

Soldiers became restless for they wanted to believe this propaganda, but in the depths of their minds they feared atrocities.

For the AC of S, G-2: