ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 926 9 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0734) 3 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | U Kyu Rak (禹圭洛) (우규락) |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| DUTY: | Rifleman |
| UNIT: | 8th Div, 1st Regt, 2nd Bn, 2nd Co, 1st Plt, 3rd Sqd |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | Foot Mount CHORIM (鳥林山) (Location unknown) Approximately 20 km NW of YONGCH’ON on a railroad line leading to YONGCH’ON |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 2 Sep 50 |
| HOME ADDRESS: | SEOUL, CHONGNO KU, CHANGSA-DONG #231 (서울시 鐘路区 長沙洞 #231) |
| INTERROGATOR: | Sgt MISHINA |
Information limited due to short period or military service - but reliable and cooperative.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Inducted 25 Jul 50 in the “Voluntary Corps.” Five (5) days of close order drill. Departed SEOUL 10 Aug 50. 1,400 men of the Volunteer Corps in what was called the 3rd Replacement Regiment marched through ICH’ON (利川), CH’UNGJU (忠州), TANYANG (丹陽), ANDONG (安東), UISONG (義城) and arrived CHORIM Mountain on 30 Aug 50, In the 3rd Replacement Regiment there were 1st, 2nd and 3rd Bn’s. The Bn separated and marched to CHORIM Mountain. Sane of the 1st and 3rd Battalions received weapons enroute but most of the troops received their weapons on CHORIM Mountain. The troops received M1891/30 rifles or carbines, 30 to 50 rounds, and 2 grenades. PW stated that the 2nd Bn, 3rd Replacement Regt was assigned to the 8th Div, 1st Regt.
1st and 3rd Bns, 3rd Replacement Regiment were not assigned to the 8th Division. PW does not know where they went. PW and 39 other men were assigned on 31 Aug 50 to the 1st Platoon, 2nd Company and the platoon was composed of replacements except for the platoon leader and the squad leader. The 2nd Company was composed of new replacements. NCO's and officers were old-timers. PW does not know to what unit of 1st Regiment the other replacements were assigned. 1 Sep 50 while the 1st Platoon was getting ready for breakfast they were attacked by ROK troops. Many men were wounded so PW started giving first aid but while doing so he was hit by a mortar fragment. He went down the mountain and tried to rest and stop the bleeding. He slept for a while and then being thirsty and hungry he walked during the night.
On 2 Sep 50 he came to a railroad line and found a stream with water. While trying to get water he was halted by ROK troops and was captured. At time of capture PW had no arms. The rifle, rounds and 2 grenades were blasted by mortar fire when he was injured.
Personalities:
PW does not know any personalities because he did not serve long in the unit.
Intentions:
The objective of the 8th Division was to drive into YONGCHON. Details unknown.
Foreign Elements:
PW stated he observed two Russian civilians with one NKPA (Rank unknown) interpreter in a Russian jeep, near CH’UNGJU, during the night when the jeep with the 2 Russians and the interpreter stopped and asked where they were. The jeep in the back had the head lights on so he deserved the 2 Russians and clearly made out their facial characteristics. PW did not observe any weapons on the Russians. The interpreter had a pistol on his waist. PW heard the NKPA troops who were guiding the replacements say the two Russians were newspaper reporters. PW heard the 2 Russian civilians speak but he does not understand Russian.
4. GENERAL:Weapons and Personnel:
2nd Company - 140 men up to 1 Sep 50. 1st Platoon - none. Most of them were killed or seriously injured during the attack on 1 Sep 50 morning. Type of weapons left after attack is unknown.
Armor:
PW observed 2 tanks on night of 28 Aug 50 8 km Southeast of UISONG beside the road, parked with the engine running. PW observed 2 mens' heads protruding from each of the tanks.
Artillery:
On the night of 27 Aug 50 he observed one artillery piece (type unknown) being pulled by 8 men who were trying to tow it to the top of a hill. This was observed midway between UISONG road and CHORIM mountain.
Vehicle:
PW stated that during the journey, while marching overnight, he observed 3-4 trucks with supplies or injured personnel going back and forth along the highway to SEOUL.
Supplies:
The PW stated the only time he observed weapons and arms being issued was at CHORIM mountain when he and other replacements were being issued weapons.
Food supply was poor and PW ate one meal of wheat and mixed rice. If two meals were eaten he was lucky.
