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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 4089　21 March 1951

FIELD REPORT (IX CORPS MISDI NO 0328)　4 March 1951

Cooperative but possessed limited tactical information which is considered fairly reliable.

PW was a member of 42d Army which consists of 124th, 125th, 126th Div and an Ind Arty Regt. The 125th Div had an original strength of 10,000, however, at present only approx 5,000. Most of the losses were sustained through arty and air bombardments.

125th Div consists of 373d, 374th, 375th Regts and a Mt Gun Bn. 375th Regt’s present strength is approx 1,000 men, and that of Mt Gun Bn, 300. 375th Regt consisted of 3 Rifle Bn, an Ind Arty Co, and 82mm Mort Co. 2d Bn consisting of 4th, 5th, and 6th Co has a present strength of approx 200 men. Heard from Co CO that 5th Co was assigned to NKA to conduct guerrilla warfare behind UN lines, Dec 50 when they were still north of 38th parallel. He has never heard of 5th Co since.

20 Feb 51, Ind Hvy Wpns Co was deactivated and the personnel assigned to 4th and 6th Co due to shortage in manpower.

As of 270400 Feb 51, 6th Co CP was 2 Km NE of where he surrendered (CS854547). 2d Bn CP was 2 Km E of 6th Co CP. 375th Regt CP was 4 Km NE of 6th Co CP. 4th Co CP was 2 Km E of 6th Co CP.

As of 27 Feb 51, 6th Co had two 60mm mortars each with 15 rd of ammo, 2 HMG each with 300 rd of ammo, 35 rifles with 100 rd of ammo, and 6 LMG with 300 rd each. Each man carried 4 handgrenades. PW Co possessed 30 anti-tank explosives.

The Regt Ind Mort Co had six 82mm mortars with unknown ammo. The Regt Ind Arty Co had two model 92 Inf Guns with approx 20 rd of ammo apiece.

The Div Ind Mt Gun Bn had eight Japanese Mt guns with unknown ammo.

1 Feb 51, each man in Regt received 1 pair of socks and shoes.

125th Div crossed YALU River and entered MANPOJIN, KOREA, via CHIAN, MANCHURIA, 20 Oct 50. 20 Nov 50, the Div entered HUICHON. 24 Nov 50 373d Regt and 374th Regt departed south. 5 Dec 50, 375th Regt departed, and crossed 38th parallel 5 Jan 51.

20 Jan 51, 375th Regt arrived approx 12 Km N of YANGPYONG Station (CS899419) and remained until 24 Feb 51 at which time PW was assigned to 2d Bn, 6th Co, because Arty Co had a surplus of personnel, due to shortage of 2 guns.

24 Feb 51, 375th Regt retreated approx 2 km NE due to onslaught of UN Forces. 270400 Feb 51, PW deserted his unit and at 0700 hrs of the same day at CS854547, surrendered to 5th Cav.

25 Feb 51, Co political officer assembled Co and told them 38th, 39th, and 40th Armies were to hold their present position for a short period, approx 10 days, during which time the 41st and 43d Mechanized Armies plus unknown number of replacements were to arrive from CHINA. He further stated that, after replacements were to arrive from CHIN. He further stated that, after replacements arrive they were to launch an offensive, but he did not know the method or when this offensive was to be carried out.

CHIAO Won Fa (喬文■), 32, Co CO.

Approx 20 men in his Co had frostbite and 3 had malaria.

PW stated he heard air broadcasts on 2 different occasions which were clearly understood. Observed surrender leaflets on several occasions. Stated that 70% of his Co troops wanted to surrender but they were afraid of being caught by their superiors, and were not sure of treatment after surrender.

Morale was low because of constant arty and air bombardments, and lack of weapons to counter them. To elevate morale, they were told by superiors that all men would be made officers after replacements arrive. They are also handing out unit citations.

Beginning Feb his Co discontinued the practice of sleeping during day and staying awake at night. At present they sleep at night, posting only 2 guards. The change was made because no attacks are made against them at night.

For the AC of S, G-2: