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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 4107　22 March 1951

FIELD REPORT (163-MISDI 0316)　5 March 1951

(Atchd 1st Mar Div)

Formerly M/S gt in CNA. Upon entering KOREA, intended to surrender 3 Mar 51, when 9th Co was in a fire fight with UN Force, PW pretended being wounded. 9th Co withdrew N and PW voluntarily surrendered. Cooperative during interrogation. Not recommended for further interrogation.

20 Oct 50 at SINJIJU, KOREA, 66th C0rps was told it had come to fight anti-communists and that it must battle to southern tip of KOREA and annihilate anti-communism.

2 Mar 51, 9th Co was ordered to take up defensive position at DS 0952 and await advancing UN Forces.

(1) Original Strength: 20 Oct 50 at SINUIJU, KOREA

197th Div - over 10,000|9th Co - 130 men

591st Regt - over 2000|3d Plat - 22

3d Bn - 400

Code Names and APO Numbers: 197th Div - "SHIN ERH PU" (#12 unit)

591st Regt - "ERH SHIN LIU PU" (#26 unit)

3d Bn - "SAN TA TUI" (#3d Bn)

Following were code numbers for other regt of 197th Div:

590th Regt - "ERH WU PU" (#25 Unit)

589th Regt - "ERH SSU PU" (#24 Unit)

(2) Present Strength: 4 Mar 51

591st Regt - 1200

3d Bn - 300

9th Co - 80

3d Plat - none (all were either KIA or WIA).

20 Oct 50 - 66th Corps crossed from ANTUNG, MANGHURIA, into SINUIJU, North KOREA.

25 Oct 50 - 66th Corps arrived KUSONG, North KOREA. 66th Corps stayed in mountains 12 km E of KUSONG for 10 days. They expected UN Force to travel through that area. No UN Force arrived within 10 days, so 66th Corps headed E.

3 Dec 50 - 66th Corps arrived KUMHWA, North KOREA, approximately 6 km S of KUMHWA, and took 3 days’ rest.

7 Dec 50 - 66th Corps headed S through mountain. 197th Div had 589th Regt in lead, followed by 590th Regt and PW 591st Regt. All traveling was done at night.

5 Jan 51 - 197th Div arrived and traveled through CHUNCHON (CS 8993). Stayed in nearby mountain for two days, then went N toward KUNHWA.

7 Jan 51 - 197th Div arrived KUMHWA to go through training for 15 days.

2 Feb 51 - Left KUMHWA, North KOREA.

3 Feb 51 - Arrived HWACHON, North KOREA. In evening of same day left HWACHON for S.

4 Feb 51 - Arrived 6 km SE of CHUNCHON (CS 8993). Stayed in mountain 2 days.

6 Feb 51 - Left above area and arrived 4 km W of HONGCHON (DS 0272). Stayed one day. 591st Regt left Div and headed toward HONGCHON. After reaching main road leading to HOENGSONG (DS 1049), traveled S.

8 Feb 51 - Early morning Regt received air attack. Took shelter in mountain area DS 1054. Regt patrolled this area 11 days.

2 Mar 51 - 9th Co was ordered to vicinity of DS 0952 to take up defensive positions and wait for UN advance. 591st Regt Hq may be in vicinity DS 1054 in mountains.

3 Mar 51 - 9th Co engaged in fire fight. PW malingered while 9th Co withdraw.

197th Div CO - CHIN (fnu) (陳)

591st Regt - LIU HSI KUNG (刘喜■)

9th Co CO - LIU HAI SAN (刘■山)

Advisor - CHANG PIN SHEN (張炳盛)

The advisor had the same authority as the Company CO.

9th Co: (As of 3 March 1951 at DS 0952)

3 x 60mm mortars (30 rd per mortar)

3 LMG (800 rd per LMG)

Many US M-1 and Japanese rifles.

691st Regt:

6 x 82mm mortars

20 x 60mm mortars (30 rd per mortar)

12 RMG

20 LMG (800 rd per LMG)

6 Rocket launchers (US)

US M-1 and Japanese rifles (60 rd per man)

Telephone communication between Bn and Regt.

Heard there were artillery pieces (presumed to be 75mm) in the rear and that the Mortar and HMG Co had horses and carts for hauling ammo.

Ammo - 20 hand grenades and 500 rd LMG ammo were received by 3d Plat, 9th Co, 2 Mar 51.

Food - scarce

Medical - Troops are suffering from malnutrition. Many stricken with frostbite. Only medicine carried by medics was for minor injuries and analgesic.

Clothing - Only what troops were.

Shelter - Taken in mountains by digging foxholes and camouflaging them with tree branches and straws.

Heard 196th, 197th and 198th Div were in vicinity between HOENGSONG (DS 1049) and HONGCHON (DS 0272).

Every bn of CCF had two to three North KOREA interpreters.

To keep morale high, PW were constantly reminded of the freedom which they will get after their victory, and that there was no other country stronger than the USSR, North KOREA, Communist CHINA and the other countries who are against anti-communism. This propaganda did not influence former CNA personnel.

All troops feared air attacks the most, especially napalm bombs.

Surrender leaflets were being dropped; but since most troops cannot read, they cannot make out contents. PW heard broadcast from plane, but due to the distance it was not understandable. Broadcasts will be more effective than leaflets since most troops cannot read.

For the AC of S, G-2: