ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 757 26 August 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS) 19 August 1950
| Name: | LEE BONG KUK (李鳳國) |
| Address: | PYONG AN PUK TO, EI JU GUN, JUN AI MYONG, SOHO DONG |
| Age: | 27 years |
| Rank: | Sergeant |
| Duty: | Squad Leader |
| Education: | Graduated Primary School, six years. |
| Previous Occupation: | Farmer |
| Length of Service: | 5 July 1959 to 16 August 1950 |
| Military Unit: | 4th Division (No. 476), 18th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Heavy Machine Gun Company, 3rd Platoon, 9th Squad. |
| Date of Capture: | 16 August 1950 |
| Interrogator: | KOGA (FEAF) (Rpt No. 165) |
The 2nd Battalion was ordered to establish a defense post on top of the YONG SAN hill for the purpose of covering the infantry advance on the highway. PW was wounded by US Artillery fire and was left behind during the retreat. Captured by US troops.
| Authorized | Present | ||
| Personnel (No.) | Weapons (No.-type) | Personnel | Weapons (No.-type) |
| Division 10,000 | unknown | 7,000 | 4, 76 mm M1943 howitzer. 6, 45 mm M1942 A-T guns. 2, Japanese type howitzer 105 mm |
| Regiment 2,500 | 12, M1943 120 mm 45, M1910 HMG 12, PTRS-41 14.5 mm 300, PPSH M1941 | 2,000 | 6, M1943 120 mm 9, M1910 HMG 6, PTRS-41 14.5mm 300 PPSH M1941 |
| Battalion 600 | 4, M1943 120 mm 15, M1910 HMG 4 PTRS-41 14.5 mm unknown DP LMG unknown PPSH | 400 | 2, M1943 120 mm 9, M1910 HMG 4, PTRS-41 14.5 mm unknown DP LMG unknown PPSH |
| Company 75 | 12, M1910 HMG 54, M1891/30 rifle | 45 | 6, M1910 HMG 12, carbines |
| Platoon 20 | 4, M1910 HMG 16, M1891/30 rifle | 18 | 2, M1910 HMG 4, carbines |
| Squad 5 | 1, M1910 HMG 4, M1891/30 rifle | 5 | 1, M1910 HMG |
On the 5th of July 1949, PW began basic training, including; close order drill and the nomenclature of the rifle. In September he was assigned to a Heavy Machine Gun School. In May of 1950 he was promoted to Sergeant. On the 1st of June 1950 he was transferred to the Min Chong (Democratic Youth) Training School at SHIN EI JU as an instructor in basic infantry training. June 1st 1950 the above school was organized as the 7th Division, (#717) and he was assigend to the 1st Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Heavy Machine Gun Company, 2nd Platoon, 2nd Squad.
Movement:| Arrived (date) | Place | Departure (date) | Events |
| Unk | SHIN EI JU | 17 June 1950 | |
| 20 June 1950 | NAM PO (are of 38th) | 26 June 1950 | |
| Unk | KAESONG | Unk | |
| 1 July 1950 | SEOUL | 6 July 1950 | (Upon arrival in SEOUL the 1st Regt was assigned as replacement to the 4th Div, 18th Regt) |
| 7 August 1950 | NAKTONG River valley (west side) | 11 August 1950 | |
| 11 August 1950 | NAKTONG River valley (east side) | 14 August 1950 | |
| 14 August 1950 | YONG SAN (captured) | 16 August 1950 |
Rice was gathered from occupied areas and in exchanged North Korean certificates were given as payment.
Replemishments of ammunition came from the Regiment in the early part of the war by truck transportation. Whenever ammunition was exhausted, units were ordered to retreat for replemishment. Main source of supplies unknown. At the present time, supply has been exhausted.
Fuel, equipment, and solider’s necessities have not been supplied since SEOUL.
Mission:The 18th Regiment was ordered to attack TAEGU in a pioneer movement from the east after the enemy had been repulsed from the vicinity of the NAKTONG River valley in CHANGYONG.
Four T-34 (85) medium tanks were observed between SEOUL and SUWON. Two were destroyed by land-mines and two by F-80’s.
The Heavy Machine Gun Company crossed the river by boat, which could accommodate fifty men at one time. They crossed the river at night.
US Artillery bombardment continued for about two hours at YONG SAN, resulting in heavy damage, practically destroying all the artillery pieces of the 18th Regiment. The Company Commander was compelled to give the order to retreat, since it was impossible to advance or infiltrate in the face of the fire which came down like rain or hill in a storm.
Miscellaneous:Leaflets were dropped somewhere in the west valley of the NAKTONG River by the United Nation’s Forces, stating that if a North Korean surrendered with one of the leaflets, he would be treated as prescribed by the Genova Convention. These leaflets were considered propaganda and had to be turned over to a superior officer. Since these leaflets were considered propaganda, nobody believed them to be true at first, and therefore did not want to surrender. However, after a few bitter battles, they soon changed their minds about surrendering.
Signed: TARKENTON/WALKER
