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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 4395

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS 0099)　29 October 1950

PW had a fairly good over-all picture of HSINGCHING MANCHURIA, but lacked detailed information. Reliability – fair.

23 Mar 41 – Graduated primary school. Assisted his father farming.

Jul 43 – Went to HSINCHING, MANCHURIA (新京) to find work.

Sep 43 – Jul 45 – Was employed by TGA-HOGN-KGGYO SHO (東亞保溫工業所) as a messenger.

Aug 45 – Nov 46 – Street peddler.

25 Nov 45 – Left Chung-Chun for KOREA.

HSINCHING

TOPOGRAPHY

CBS: Jul 43 – 25 Nov 46

Resided in this city during the above period. He has fairly good idea of topographical situation in general, although he lacks details information.

This city was located in a vast plain which slightly declined towards the east. No lakes nor mountains were observed.

The soil, in general, was of brownish color, clay-like, fine and fertile. Soyteans, millet, corn, and vegetables were produced in large quantities. No rocks or sand were observed in this area.

The sewer system emptied into a 30 m wide river floring NS pest the E RR Station, causing a bad stench in this area.

With the exception of the rainy season, the riser was very muddy and contained little water (not more 1m deep with a flood velocity of 30cm/sec). This river overflowed only once in Aug 44. The area flooded was said to be 2.5 ㎢ and thousands of inhabitants lost their homes. (Flood extended only eastward due to the slope.) In rainy seasons, the river was believed to rise to about 3 meters in depth. (Floods, when it rises up to 4 meters.) Does not know whether flood control measures taken into consideration or not.

This river froze from December to March. Believes that the thickness of ice was at least 50 cm because skating was possible on it. (Sewer pipes were located at the bottom of the river.) No transporting was done on the ice although it seemed possible.

ROADS

OBS: 1943-1946

Within the city limits, the roads were all baved and in excellent condition, especially the area west of TAT’UNGTACHIEH (大同大街) (55m wide 8km long). About 2.5km south of the Main RR Station there was a large traffic circle (dia. 400m) from which four other main roads led out (See sketch). (The roads shown on sketch are 30 x 50m wide roads.)

In general, roads east of the large traffic circle were poor in comparison with those to the west, although much better than the ones of other cities. Noticed no roads being constructed after the termination of the war in Aug 45.

He observed only three bridges and passes: one located 400m west of East RR Station (length 50m, steel) one 300m West of Main RR Station (50m long, concrete) and the other 3km west of the rotary (50m long, road).

The roads were mainly used by the Japanese Army trucks before V-J day, but afterwards, horse carts and wagons took the place of the trucks. Therefore, the roads were badly damaged and PW believes that they area in bad condition by now. There were no indications of road repair and maintenance when he left the place.

RAILROADS

OBS: 1943-1946

A double, wide-gauge RR track passing this city was being rather roughly used. He saw no railroad workers working on the railroad. Believes there will be some trouble in the near future although he had not heard of any accident before he left here. No further information.

STREETCARS

OBS: 43-46

In Aug 45 streetcars were reduced greatly in numbers. Believes that the number of cars was 60 before but less than 30 after the war. Therefore, it was nearly impossible to get on these cars without special pass or authorization.

AIRFIELD

OBS: 43-46

Observed two airfields in this area; one was located 1 km west of the Main RR Station and the other 6 km (?) west of the large traffic circle. Observation from distance only. He stated that he saw unidentified planes, some biplanes and some twin engines flying near these airports after V-J day. However, in 1946 after the Russians had left the place he did not see any more planes.

Just before the termination of the war, the population was said to be 850,000 of which roughly 50% were Japanese Nationals. But by summer 1946, the majority of these Japanese were either repatriated or taken to SIBERIA and in turn, Manchurians from local areas came into the city to occupy their homes. At the time of PW departure, the estimated population was believed to be 700,000.

It was not until 9 August 1945 that the people really began to realize the actual situation of the war. On 18 Aug 45 the first Russian armored troops came into the city and looted the western part. Chinese and Manchurians, taking advantage of this opportunity, also went into this area and took whatever the Russians left. All factories, with the exception of hydroelectric power plant and water supply, were idle.

In early September undetermined numbers of Chinese Communist troops entered the city and controlled all administrative phases together with the Russians.

He noticed no friction between the Chinese Communist troops and the Russian troops, but the CCF were better liked by the inhabitants.

One month after the Russian troops withdrew from the city, the Chinese Nationalist troops attacked and finally took the city after repeated attempts 23 May 46. Order was restored within 10 days.

In November 46, asked to be repatriated since he could not find employment.

For the Commanding Officer:

HSINCHING (新京) OBS: JUL 43 – NOV 46