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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 4448

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS FWD #3 0003)　22 November 1950

Cooperative, observant, and talked freely. Estimations of directions, locations, and dimensions were good. He maintained a jolly attitude throughout the interrogation. He was able to speak Japanese, Chinese, fairly fluently as well as his native tongue, Korean. For this reason he was a company interpreter before being captured. He resented the communists; especially the Chinese who mistreated him and inducted him into the CCF. Because his native town was small with very little to observe, further information of value was unknown. Reliability good.

10 Dec 1933 - Born in YENCHI (延吉), MANCHURIA.

1930 - Moved to vicinity of UCHAN (五常), MANCHURIA and received 11 years of education.

6 Sep 50 - Departed UCHAN and arrived in HARBIN (哈爾), MANCHURIA.

9 Sep 50 - Inducted in Chinese Communist Army at HARBIN and assigned to 42nd Army. Departed HARBIN with unit and arrived in TUNGHUA (通化), MANCHURIA.

15 Sep 50 - 20 Sep 50 - Received political training.

16 Oct 50 – Departed TUNGHUA with unit and arrived in CHIAN (輯安), MANCHURIA.

19 Oct 50 - Departed CHIAN, crossed border, and entered KOREA with 371st Regt, 124th Div, 42nd Army.

1. TOPOGRAPHIC　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　UCHAN (五常), MANCHURIA

OPS: 1938 - Sep 1950

Town of UCHAN was situated on wide flatland. Town district was located on a low plateau which was approximately 2 m higher than the surrounding plain. The area west of the town was used for rice paddies.

Closest river was flowing northward approximately 8 km west of the town. River was approximately 20 m wide and 1.5 m deep. Rate of flow was swift. Fluctuation of river was unknown. Banks of the river were sandy, had gradual slopes, with grass growing. Bottom of river was also sandy. Thickness of ice when frozen was unknown because source observed this river only during the summer months.

Soy beans, millet, corn, rice, indian beans, and wheat were the cultivated crops. Elm trees were planted in the town district.

Coldest temperature during winter (Nov-Jan) was -33°C (occasionally in Dec).

Hottest temperature during summer (May-Jul) was 30°C. The ground was frozen approximately 0.7 m during Dec.

The climate was generally rainy throughout the year, and especially during June. Rainfall was adequate for cultivating crops. Snow covered the ground between Nov and Feb. Deepest snow was about 15 cm deep and average depth about 5 cm.

2. TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION:　　　UCHAN (五常)

(1) RAILROAD FACILITY: The Manchurian railroad, called the RABIN (拉浜), line running through the western section of this town served as the only transportation for the northwestern corner of the town and was called the UCHAN RR Station. Tracks were broad gauge and numbered 7 or 8 at the station.

Schedule for passenger trains was 0830 hours for traveling N towards HARBIN and 2400 hours for traveling S towards RAFA (拉把). Freight trains arrived and departed the station about every 30 minutes throughout the day and night. Freight unloaded from the trains chiefly consisted of soy bean cake for cattle food, and bituminous coal sent from USUN (撫順), MANCHURIA. Freight shipped from this station consisted of rice, soy beans, corn, and millot.

A small locomotive shed capable of accommodating 3 locomotives was located approximately 1 km NW of the railroad station. Facilities within this shed was unknown. For approximate location and spur line leading to this shed refer to sketch #1.

Because the line was single track and the station was large the trains coming from the N and S passed each other at the UCHAN station.

(2) RAILROAD EMPLOYEES:

The UCHAN railroad station was employing approximately 100 men for unloading and loading freight, 50 men for repairing and maintaining the line to points 5 km north and south of the station, and 100 for office work. A residential area for railroad employees was located approximately 100 m NE of the station. This residential area consisted of brick house which were built by the Japanese.

(3) ROADS:

Roads within the town area had dirt surface and were about 6 m in width and generally in good condition in all seasons. For locations of the roads in UCHAN Area refer to sketch #1.

There were 4 dirt roads (6 m wide), which led out from UCHAN. Of these roads to ones leading to HARBIN and RAFA were in good condition in all weather, but the remaining 2 which led westward to YUSU and eastward to SHOSANZU were not fit for the vehicles in rainy or snowy weather. In rainy weather the average depth of mud covering the roads leading west and east was about 2 inches. The roads leading to HARBIN and RAFA were fit for vehicles, but not for pedestrian in inclement weather. See access under armed forces.

(4) TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH:　　　　　　　　　UCHAN

The post office, located approximately 1 km SW of the RR Station, controlled all telephone, telegraph and postal communications within UCHAN.

Telephones were possessed only by the government officials; such as the town mayor, chief of police station, etc. Phones were dial-less and switchboard was installed in the post office. The only public phone was located in the post office.

People went to the post office to send telegraphs. The railroads used its own telegraph line.

(5) WIRELESS:

The only radio observed in UCHAN was a tube set owned by a middle school. The public was prohibited to use radios because of shortage of electricity. Hoard broadcast from station located in TOKYO, JAPAN, SEOUL (京城), PYONGYANG (平壤), PEIKING (北安), and HARBIN (哈爾), Russian broadcasts were often heard but location of the station unknown.

3. SOCIOLOGICAL

Source estimates population of UCHAN to be approximately 20,000. The majority (70%) fo the populace were engaged in business and the minority were (30%) farmers. Business chiefly consisted of selling vegetables, fruits, or clothing.

Manchurians were the only people living within the town area. Approximately 10 Korean families were expelled from UCHAN in December 1947 by the new government. Reason for this exclusion was unknown. Thereafter Koreans living in the vicinity of UCHAN were forced farmers, but no conflicts occurred because Koreans were outnumbered.

Obligatory education was 9 years; 6 years primary and 3 years middle school. For further education graduates of the 3 year middle school attended, if they desired , 3 years in the higher middle school and on to the 4 years colleges. In UCHAN there were 3 primary schools and 2 middle schools. Tuition was free in all schools, but because the students bought their own text material, own clothing and food there were few students who continued to higher middle school which were located in larger towns. School tax, which was paid by all citizens, was very high, and used for paying the school instructors and for constructing and repairing school houses.

Qualifications for school instructors were, normal school (3 yr) graduates from primary school, and higher normal school (3 yr) graduates for middle school teachers. The normal school was attended after completing middle school and the higher normal school completion the higher middle school. The closest normal school was located in SHANZU (向志) (approximately 80 km N of HARBIN).

In the two middle schools of UCHAN, there were strong communist organizations called, the New Democratic Youth Body (新民主主義靑年團), who administered and enforced communism within the school. The non-members of this body were ill treated and not considered as human beings. Approximately 10% of the total student body were members and did not invite non-members unless they were obedient and strg communist sympathizers. Members of this organization became prominent communists after graduating from school. Similar bodies were organized also in the primary schools and called the New Democratic Boy’s Body after reaching the age of 15. Females as well as males were equally engaged in this activity.

Students to be inducted in the CCF were appointed by the principal of the school with the consent of both the faculty members and Youth Body. The body members were inducted only when disliked by superior members.

Christianity and Buddhism were considered bigotry and idol worship and not practiced in UCHAN nor in any other locality in MANCHURIA.

Sanitation in UCHAN was considered but not practised. There was no sewer systems. Waste and garbage were collected by town garbage men and disposed in farms outside the town. Typhoid fever and dysentry prevailed in the summer of 1946 and caused 500 cases of which 200 died. There was a provincial hospital, located approximately 1 km SW of the RR Station. Facilitates within the hospital were out of date.

The business men greatly resented a government corporation called the National Mutual Corporation (國宮合作社) who sold food, clothing, and commodities all exempted from taxation, while the business men paid heavy taxes which resulted in small profits.

4. POLITICS:

UCHAN was divided into 13 district was subdivided into 8 or 10 communities. The general populace was only able to elect the community leaders of own community. The district head was elected by the community leaders and town (UCHAN) mayor by the district leaders, etc. All town mayors and town officials were strong communists and gave severe punishment (confinement in jail) to political criminals.

5. ECONOMICS:　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　UCHAN (五常), MANCHURIA

Pvt　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　OBS: 1942-Sep 50

(1) T/E POWER PLANT

A small power plant was almost daily observed during the above period while enroute to school or railroad station. No interior observation of the plant was made.

The plant was located approximately 300 m SE of the UCHAN railroad station and 200 m E of the railroad. See sketch #1 for location.

The plant consisted of only one brick building, which measured about 20 m x 15 m x 6 m, and had a galvanized iron gable type roof.

Fuel was bituminous coal which was sent from USUN (撫順) MANCHURIA by train as far as the RR station. A push cart which operated on rail, was used for hauling the coal to the plant.

Output of the plant was unknown but the generated power was consumed only for illuminating the homes and buildings within the town. Plant was operated 24 hours daily. No transformer station was observed.

A metal smokestack measuring approximately 50 m in height and 1 m in diameter was located in 10 m S of the plant. Another smokestack measuring 40 m in height and 0.8 m in diameter was located 10 m N of the plant but was not being used.

(2) WAREHOUSE　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 OBS: 1942-Sep 50

During the above period (almost daily) a warehouse was observed when PW went to or passed the railroad station. The warehouse was located approximately 100 m S of the UCHAN railroad station and along the railroad. The warehouse measured approximately 100 m x 20 m x 6 m, was constructed of wood, and had a galvanized iron gable type roof.

This warehouse was the only storage place in UCHAN for the government and stored a large quantity of grain. Further details were unknown.

(3) WATER TOWER

A water tower was observed during same period under similar circumstances as above, and located 100 m SE of station.

Both the tower and tank were constructed of cement. The tower was about 40 m high and the tank measured 3 m in diameter and 4 m in height.

Source of water was a small purifying station described below. Water was sent through steel pipes buried underground. Water in the tank was consumed by the RR station, RR employees and for all other purposes connected with the railroad. Water from the tank was used throughout the year.

(4) WATER PURIFYING STATION

A water purifying station was observed whenever PW traveled on train. The station was located approximately 700 m W of the UCHAN RR Station and 3 km S of the locomotive shed. The station consisted of one brick building which measured approximately 30 m x 10 m x 7 m, and had a galvanized iron gable type roof. Heard that the water was pumped and sent through steel pipes from a small river located approximately 1.3 km West of the station (water boiled to 212°F, and sent to the water tower mentioned above. Capacity of the station was unknown.

ARMED FORCES:　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 UCHAN (五常), MANCHURIA

Pvt　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　OBS: 1942-Jul 50

(1) AIRFIELD

A. OBS: Observed an airfield while engaged in weeding the field and farming in the vicinity during 1942-Aug 45 when the Japanese Army was occupying the field. Also observed the field after the Japanese occupation when he worked on the field on Sundays for the Chinese Communist Force in May 50 and while farming in area approximately 1 km from the field.

B. BASIC AIRFIELD INFORMATION: The airfield was called the “UCHAN (五常) Airfield,” during both the Japanese occupation and CCF occupation. Source did not know of any alternate name for the field. The name “UCHAN” was derived from the name of the locale.

Aircraft on this field were observed only during the Japanese occupation. In May 50 students and civilians were used for repairing the ruined field.

C. LOCATION: The field was located approximately 4 km due west of the UCHAN railroad station and 2 km West of a small river flowing parallel with the airstrip. See sketch #2.

D. DIMENSIONS: The dimensions of the field was difficult to estimate because the field was “L” shape and the surrounding areas was either grassland or farming fields.

E. RUNWAYS AND SURFACE: The field had 2 runways; N/S, and E/W, which form and “L” shape. Both runways were approximately 2,000 m in length and 35 m in width. Concrete blocks measuring 2 m x 2 m x 5 cm (2 inches) thick were layed over the entire runways to form a concrete surface. Wooden boards about 0.8 cm (0.3 in) thick and 10 cm (4 in) wide were inserted between the concrete blocks. There was approximately 15 cm (6 in) of sand and gravel under the concrete blocks. Hard dark dirt was observed under the sand and gravel layer. The centers of the runways were approximately and gravel layer. The centers of the runways approximately 10 cm (4 in) higher than the perimeter. Grass did not grow on the runway surface. Aprons, taxistrips, and perimeter tracks were not observed.

A small ditch measuring approximately 1 ft x 1 ft was dug around the perimeter of the runway and filled with stones to allow a small stream of spring water to flow (as well as for drainage purposes). Source of the continuously flowing water was a fair seized pond, which was located at the western end of the E/W runway, and forced from an underground spring. The water way was separated at the SW corner of the E/W runway to allow the water to flow in the N and E directions and around the perimeter of the runway to region at the NE corner runway, and flow into a small river approximately 2 km East. For location and size of the pond and river refer to sketch #2.

When the airfield was formerly occupied by the Japanese PW occasionally observed several twin engine bombers parked in the corner where the 2 runways joined.

In May 50 with approximately 1,000 students and civilians PW was ordered to repair the field, damaged by the Chinese Communist Government. This field was damaged intentionally (during the CCF occupation of the area) to prevent the Chinese Nationalist Aircraft from using the field. The CCF possessed no planes when the field was damaged.

The method used for making the runway unserviceable was to dig holes about 1 m in diameter and 2 ft deep in various sectors. Holes were dug in rows perpendicular to the direction of the runways. Did not know when the field was made unserviceable. Within 2 days the holes were filled and covered with concrete. PW and other laborers did not know the reason for making the airfield serviceable.

F. ACCESS: The only road leading to the field was about 6 m wide with gravel surface and serviceable in all weather. The condition of this road was very good. The road directly lead to UCHAN railroad station with one small wooden bridge (15 m long, 6 m wide, capacity unknown) located approximately 2 km from the field. Refer to sketch #2 for locations of the road and bridge.

G. BUILDINGS: 2 brick buildings, measuring 20 m x 10 m x 8 m, with gable roofs and located in SE area of the field were observed from a distance of approximately 1 km while farming. The 2 buildings were built in July 50. Purpose of the buildings was unknown. See sketch for approximate locations of the buildings.

H. OBSTRUCTIONS: There was no obstruction of any sort in all directions.

I. TECHNICAL FACILITIES: No technical facilities of any sort was installed after the Japanese occupation because the field was not being used.

J. CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT: Believes that if the runway were extended the extension would be in the N and/or E direction because there was a pond in the west and a small village in the south. Because the land was sandy and level, expansion of field would be easily rendered (PW opinion).

K. ARMOR: Source of armor unknown. Types of armor unknown. Types of armor were not identified. Large weapons were not observed.

L. METEOROLOGICAL FACTORS: Snow was dry in this region; therefore did not obstruct flying from the airfield (PW opinion). (Also see topography).

M. MISCELLANEOUS: During the Japanese occupation of the field, observed that aircraft took off in the N direction and that the N/S runway was used more frequently than the E/W runway.

No further details.

For the Commanding Officer:

SHETCH 1 UCHAN OBS:1938-SEP ’50

SHETCH 2 AIRFIELD AT WU-CH’ANG AS OF JULY 1950