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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 4382

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0097)　29 October 1950

PW was cooperative but at times presented a passive attitude. Reliability - fair.

Nov 1936 - Went to CH’AOYANGGHEN, MANCHURIA (朝陽鎭) 48°54‘N - 130°25’E together with elder brother. Here PW attended primary school. His brother was engaged in farming.

Dec 1943 - PW went to HSINGHING (新京) MANCHURIA and worked in the camp of the former Japanese MANSHU 19 UNIT. His work consisted of making barrels for “soya” sauce.

May 1944 - PW and his brother’s family moved to ANSHAN (鞍山) MANCHURIA. Here PW worked in the pipe making plant of the “SHOWA” STEEL WORKS (昭和製鋼所).

Nov 1944 - Departed from ANSHAN, MANCHURIA and returned to home in KOREA. Inducted into NKA.

WEST AIRFIELD

While commuting to work PW observed this airfield from a distance of about 500 meters. This airfield was located approximately 8 km WSW of the main RR Station.

There was one large concrete runway (size unknown) running W-E. PW believed that 4 engine bombers could land on this runway. There were several large white buildings on the W edge of the field and many small buildings and houses stretching out to the S and N edge of the airfield. There were no buildings on the E edge of the field. The larger buildings, which were mostly hangars, were built of sheet metal while the small buildings and houses were constructed of wood.

A dirt wall 1 meter high surrounded the airfield. On top of this dirt wall was a barbed wire fence. PW observed 2 entrances to the field. One was situated on the S edge and the other gate was situated on the E edge, of the field. PW did not know the size of this field.

When PW observed this field it was under Japanese control and it appeared to be a busy airfield with a large number of personnel.

Single-engine fighter planes, twin-engine bombers and transports, and training bi-planes were seen at this airfield. Most of the aircraft on this field were fighters. A few of the planes on the field were damaged and out of operation.

The surrounding area of airfield was farm land with a few houses scattered in that area. A small farming village was located about 600 meters E of the airfield. There was a fairly large number of houses on the S edge of the field and PW believed that they were quarters for the families of the Air Corps personnel assigned to the field.

“SOUTH” AIRFIELD

From a distance of about 2 km PW observed area of airfield twice. It was located approximately 16 km S of the main RR station. PW did not actually see the airfield but saw single engine fighter planes flying in that area. No detailed information.

“EAST” AIRFIELD

While riding on the train PW observed this airfield only once. It was located approximately 10 km ENE of the main RR Station. PW believed that it was a small airfield as he saw training planes and single engine fighters on the field. No further information.

LOCOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP

PW occasionally passed by this locomotive repair shop, which was located about 150 meters E of the main RR station. It was located in railyard of the RR station.

There were 4 large brick buildings in this repair shop area. They appeared dirty with soot. Size of the buildings was not known but PW claims that two single track spur lines ran through each shop building and each building was able to house 12 locomotives at one time.

PW believed that repair work on locomotives only and manufacturing of locomotive parts was done in these 4 buildings. Interior data of these buildings were not known but PW surmised that there was large machinery such as overhead cranes and hoists in each building.

“SUMITOMO” IRON WORKS

PW was employed at the above plant which was located approximately 1 km W of LISAN (立山) RR Station. This plant was located in the “SHOWA” Steel Works industrial area, which covered an area of about 2 km x 8 km. Only factories were located in this industrial area, but PW did not know what kind of factories there were.

The “SUMITOMO” Iron Works (住友金屬工業株式會社■■管■部) covered an estimated area of 500 x 1500 (meters) and were surrounded by a brick fence. These were about 5 large buildings and 10 smaller buildings in this area. They were constructed of reinforced brick.

Steel pipes with diameters up to 30 cm were manufactured here. Production data was not known. PW heard that some of these pipes were to be used in the building of naval vessels. There were large cranes, rolling mills, lathes and other heavy machinery in this plant. PW estimated that there were over 8,000 workers employed here. The plant operated on a 24 hour basis.

Although the “SHOWA” Steel Works industrial district was bombed by US B-29’s in 1944, the “SUMITOMO” Iron Works remained untouched until the time PW left ANSHAN, MANCHURIA in Nov 1944.

PW could not recall the interior facilities of the plant buildings as he worked there as a laborer and 6 years have passed since he left there.

For the Commanding Officer: