ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 738 25 August 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 555) 23 August 1950
| Name: | SO, WON SOK (徐元錫) (서원석) |
| Rank: | Capt |
| Age: | 22 |
| Organization: | 7th Div, 77th Regt, 3rd Co |
| Duties with Unit: | Company Commander |
| Education: | Primary School 6 years |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Address: | HWANGHAE-DO, SU AN-GUN YONAN-MYONG SOCHE-RI 629 (黃海道 遂安郡 延岩面 所彫里区 629 番地) |
| Date & Place Captured: | 19 1000K Aug 50 - T’ONGYONG (1140-1310) |
| Interrogator: | Sfc INOMOTO (ATIS) |
PW was a badly wounded litter case and unable to give coherent answers. Only general information obtained.
Military History:Date Inducted - 25 Aug 48 at P’YONGYANG
Training - Received basic training in 1st Div was at full strength numbering approximately 10,000 men. Majority of officers and NCOs were Koreans formerly with the CCF, who streamed into N Korea in small groups beginning Nov 45. Training included calisthenics, world politics, tactics, rifle marksmanship.
May, 49 PW then a Sr Sgt, was assigned to the No. 4 Youth Training Center in CHINNAMP’O, as a member of the cadre team. Approx 4,000 civilian volunteers (15-25 years of age) trained for a 2 months period and then returned to their homes.
Training included dismounted drill, rifle marksmanship with Jap Type 99 Rifle, infantry tactics.
For a period of 1 year, part of which was spend in KUSONG, part of it in CHAERYONG, PW acting in the capacity of a member of the cadre, participated in the extensive civilian training program conducted by the “Fatherland,” a government sponsored organization.
Tactical Movement: On 26 Jun 50, PW then a Lt, was assigned as a platoon leader to the 77th Regt, 3rd Bn, 3rd Co (part of the 7th Div), stationed at HAEJU. Date of activation and history of the 7th Div, unknown. Location at this time of the other 2 regiments, the existence of which is hearsay, unknown.
The recently organized 77th Regt was composed of officers and NCO’s from other unidentified NKPA units and unidentified guard units. Majority of the enlisted men were fresh recruits.
28 Jul 50, 77th Regt, strength 2.500, departed HAEJU on foot arrived CHOCHI’IWON o/a 3 Aug 50. Regt was armed with Russian rifles, sub-machine guns, Maxim HMG’s, 45-mm AT Guns. No artillery units attached to the regiment.
O/a 3 Aug 50, 77th Regt departed CHOCHI’IWON on trucks and arrived CHINJU o/a 14 Aug 50. 7th Div Hqs was situated about 8 km NW of CHINJU at this time. Whereabouts of other 2 regiments unknown. 1st Bn reinforced by 3rd Co of the 3rd Bn, was dispatched from CHINJU to occupy the city of T’ONGYONG.
T’ONGYONG was captured by this task force after a brief skirmish with the ROK police. No artillery or tanks attached to task force. However, observed an artillery unit (30 men) of the 6th Div, 2 x 120-mm Mortars and 1 x 45-mm AT Gun, just N of T’ONGYONG.
1000H 18 Aug 50, T’ONGYONG was heavily shelled by UN Naval vessels followed by ROK Amphibious landing. After a two-hour battle, 1st Bn retreated towards KOSONG, having sustained 50% casualties. 3rd Co of the 3rd Bn, attached to the 1st Bn, was annihilated.
PW changed into civilian clothes to escape detection from ROK Marines and was heading towards KOSONG when captured.
Personalities:CO, 3rd Bn, CH’OE, CHIN GUK (崔鎭國) (최진국) Maj; Age 35
Signed TARKENTON/WALKER
