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ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO 4113　22 March 1951

FIELD REPORT (163 - MISDI - 0322)　6 March 1951

(Atchd 1st Mar Div)

051500 Mar 51m 2d Co Bn, 586th Regt was ordered to defend hill in vicinity DS 0754 to last man. 2d Bn Hq located 2 km north. Suffering from UN artillery barrage and air strikes, company dispersed and retreated. PW remained in foxhole and later surrendered to 7th Marines. Cooperative during interrogation.

8 Jan 51, PW and men were informed by 586th Regt CO: “Our primary course of action is to launch an all-out offensive to PUSAN and drive all UN troops out of KOREA. We will remain here, at KAGETSU-ZAN, (mountain in North KOREA) approximately 2 months until we possess sufficient strength to mount this offensive. 2d, 3d and 4th offensive will follow in succession with air and tank support.” Present mission (5 Mar 51) of 2d Co, 2d Bn is to defend hill vicinity DS 0754R to last man and to prevent further advance of UN troops.

(1) Original Strength (Nov 50, upon entering KOREA):

196th Div - approximately 5000

586th Regt - approximately 1700

2d Bn - approximately 700

2d Co - approximately 140

1st Plat - 44

(2) Present Strength: 5 Mar 51

586th Regt - approximately 500

2d Bn - 22 Feb 51m deactivated

2d Co - 60 (maximum)

Code No: 586th Regt - “ERH SHIN FU” (21st Unit)

196th Div - “SSU SHIN FU” (41st Unit)

66th Corps - “LIU SHIN FU” (61st Unit)

Jun 45 - Enlisted CNA.

29 Jan 48 - Conscripted into CCF at PEIPING, CHINA

Nov 50 - Entered KOREA with 66th Corps.

Late Nov 50 - 196th Div suffered 30 casualties from UN surprise attack in North KOREA.

Early Dec 50 - 1 KIA, 2 WIA and 4 horses with 4 x 42mm mortars lost as result of air strike in North KOREA.

8 Jan 51 - 2d Co engaged in 4 hours fire fight with ROK Force at KAGETSU-ZAN (mountain in North KOREA). ROK retreated. 900 troops suffered frostbite from wearing summer shoes, probably sent back to CHINA. Therefore, CCF sought to strengthen its force by awaiting replacements.

Late Jan 51 - After 20 days rest at KAGETSU-ZAN (North KOREA), it appeared impossible to get immediate CCF replacements. Fearing UN mass offensive to the N, sought to set their defensive line as far S as possible. 10 days continuous march during night had been conducted, and 66th Corps concentrated its force in Central KOREA, with 42d Corps on its E flank and 39th Corps as rear reserve. Neither received air strikes nor engaged in fire fights with UN troops during period covered. Average travel: 6 to 7 miles per day. Took main highway S and passed through 2 ruined major towns. Usually Regt CO set a primary assembly area, and troops of company strength each taking different route assemble at designated location.

20 Feb 51 - 0400 hours, 586th Regt passed HONGCHON (DS 0272) and immediately after crossing bridge (DS 0271) was attacked by UN convoy enroute. Later heard that 2d Co and 5th destroyed 10 UN trucks. CCF dispersed to nearby hills. Casualties approximately 30. PW lost track of his co during night march and was a straggler for 3 days. 21 and 5th Co reduced to 40 and 80 men respectively. Strength was combined and renamed 2d Co. Due to previous hard march and lack of front line information, marching was conducted every other night.

22 Feb 51 - 586th Regt reorganized vicinity DS 0478. 1st, 2d and 3d Bn deactivated and redesignated 1st, 2d and 3d Co with strength 130, 80 and 130 respectively. Present strength of 586th Regt - approximately 500 (with attached units). Engaged in no fire fight to date.

4 Mar 51 - 2d Co arrived vicinity DS 0754 and dug in defensively, with 1st Co on W flank and 3d Co on E flank. 586th Regt Hq located approximately 3 km N of 2d Co.

5 Mar 51 - 1500 hours, 2d Co was attacked by 7th Marines after suffering heavy casualties from UN artillery barrage and air strikes. Surrendered to 7th Marines after comrades retreated.

d. Weapons and Equipment: 5 Mar 51

586th Regt: 2 HMG (approximately 2000 rd).

2nd Co: 1 HMG (1500 rd per MG).

3 LMG (1 box ammo)

Soldiers carried US M1 and Japanese Model 38 rifles with approximately 80 rd and 4 hand grenades each.

6 to 7 horses were used by officers and runners of Regt Hq. Each Co had a bugle and number of whistles (did not use).

Ammo - Sufficient. Were issued 500 rd per sqd every now and them. Hand grenades were distributed recently.

Food - Food was procured from villages since resupply was rare. Carried 3 to 4 days ration during march.

Clothing - Only what they wore.

Shelter - Took shelter in mountains in foxholes.

Morale of former CNA soldiers is becoming lower.

Fear UN air strikes and artillery barrage.

Successive groups of men are sent soldiers well, but in reality latter suffer a great deal. Therefore, PW hates communism, influenced by UN leaflets, but could not find suitable opportunity to surrender.

For the AC of S, G-2: