ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 822 30 August 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0629) 28 August 1950
| Name: | SONG, SOK U (宋錫禹) (송석우) |
| Rank: | Pvt |
| Age: | 19 |
| Orgn: | Peoples Volunteer Army, 1st Labor Brig, 3rd Bn, 3rd Co, 3rd Plt, 3rd sqd (朝鮮人民義勇軍 労働者 才一方旅閣) |
| Duties: | Rifleman |
| Education: | Middle School 4 years |
| Occupation: | Student |
| Address: | SEOUL, CHUNG-Ku, NAMCHANG-DONG, 236 |
| Date and Place Captured: | 1200 24 Aug 50 at 1137-1364 by US Forces |
| Interrogator: | McKEE (Sgt) |
PW cooperative, information reliable. PW clams there is one more of these Brigades called the 2nd Brigade, but has no more information.
Personal and Unit History:Inducted at SEOUL on 6 Jul 50, into 3rd Bn. 3rd Bn left SEOUL on l2 Jul 50 and marched thru the following cities: SUWON, PYONTAEK, (received a few weapons at each city between here and SACH’ON), ONCH’ON-Ni, YESAN, CH'ONGYANG, PUYO, I-Ri, KUM-JE, CHONGUP, KWANG-JU SUNCH’ON, KWANGYANG, HADONG, SACH’ON (about 18-19 Aug 50), Place of capture 24 Aug 50. The Brigade assembled at SACH'ON and the battalions then were sent out to their areas of responsibility.
T/O & E of PW's Unit:The 1st Labor Brig was composed of 5 battalions. Each Bn was composed of 3 companies, numbered from 1 to 3. Each company composed of 3 platoons and each platoon composed of 4 squads.
Strength: Squad - 10-12 men
Platoon - 40-45 men
Company - 120-150 men
Battalion - 350-400 men
Brigade - 2,000-2,500 men
To PW’s knowledge, the only weapons under T/O & E were pistols (US and Jap), Carbines (US), US M1 Rifles, Jap "99", "38", Russian 1890/30, Russian Submachine gun and hand grenades. When the 3rd Bn left SEOUL, all that the men had was 1 hand grenade each. All other weapons were picked up enroute south.
Subject claims that there was no rank. designation. Each man was called by his duty (squad leader, platoon leader, company commander and battalion commander).
There were NKPA personnel with the Brigade but it appeared to PW that they were at battalion echelon and higher.
Disposition of Above Units: (24 Aug 50)Brigade Hqs - SACH'ON
3rd Bn - KUNBUK (just W of HAMAN)
Strength of Above Units:Subject thinks that all the 3rd Co, 3rd Bn were either killed or capture.
Artillery:Observed 5 truck drawn artillery pieces E of SACHO’ON at night on 18 or 19 Aug 50. Pieces were heading E (type unknown).
Food and Ammunition Supply:Rice was received from the “PEOPLES COMMITTEE” which was set up in each city. An emergency ration was carried with the unit. (amount Unknown).
Ammunition picked up at different places enroute south.
Replacements:There were no replacements. The wounded were left to die and the dead were left to rot.
Enemy Intentions:The unit is supposed to right to the last men if necessary, and take MASAN.
Morale:Before the 3rd Co was wiped out, about 50% of the man had high morale and 50% had low morale.
Captured Equipment:American M1 rifles and carbines were utilized by PW's unit. Ammunition captured from US Forces was used. There wore about to M1's and 20-30 carbines in the 3rd Co.
Signed TARKENTON/WALKER
