ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1050 14 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (164 - MISDI - 0792) 10 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | KIM Son O (金善五) (김선오) |
| RANK: | Pvt |
| AGE: | 33 |
| ORGANIZATION: | 7th Div, 3rd Regt, 2nd Bn, 2nd Co, 4th Plt, 4th Sqd |
| EDUCATION: | None |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| ADDRESS: | PYONG-AN-POK-DO, TAECHON-GUN, TAECHON-MYON, NUM-NUNG-NI (平安南道 泰川郡 泰川面 南井里) |
| DATE AND PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 8 Sep 50. 2 km W of MASAN (馬山) (마산) |
| INTERROGATOR: | Sgt MIYATA |
Cooperative, but due to lack of education and limited service, PW seems unreliab1e.
PW surrendered to unknown US Troops who were stationed about 2 km W of MASAN. Because he was hungry and heard from S. Koreans who lived in MASAN area that the US treat PW’s well he surrendered at the first available opportunity.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:PW was inducted 8 Jul 50 at HAEJU and on the same day was assigned to 7th Div.
PW received three weeks basic infantry training which included rifle marksmanship, close order drill and calisthenic, at HAEJU.
On 10 Aug 50, approx 1,000 troops of 7th Div departed HAEJU by rail and arrived at TOSONG (土城) on 11 Aug 50. They immediately continued their march to SEOUL, arriving on 14 Aug 50.
At SEOUL the troops were separated by Bns (14 Aug 50). On the same day PW's Bn marched to SUWON, arriving on 16 Aug 50.
Departed SUWON - 17 Aug 50 - marched - arrived CHONAN - 19 Aug 50.
Departed CHONAN - 20 Aug 50 - marched - arrived TAEJON - 22 Aug 50.
Departed TAEJON - 22 Aug 50 - marched - arrived CHINAN - 24 Aug 50.
Departed CHINAN - 24 Aug 50 - marched - arrived NAMWON - 26 Aug 50.
Departed NAMWON - 26 Aug 50 - marched - arrived SUNCHON - 28 Aug 50.
Departed SUNCHON - 28 Aug 50 - marched - arrived CHINJU - 30 Aug 50.
Departed CHINJU - 31 Aug 50 - marched - arrived HAMAN - l Sep 50
On 4 Sep 50 PW’s unit (2nd Co) was shelled by unknown US artillery. Due to this shelling PW's Co, lost about 40 men. PW's unit was approx 40 Km N of MASAN when shelled.
After the shelling ceased the remaining 100 men were ordered by the Co. Cmdr to go to the villages located in this vicinity to spend the night; they were to meet the next morning. However, on the following morning, when PW awoke, the troops had already departed. PW and five other troops were left behind. These six men passed about four days in the village and later surrendered.
a. T/O & E of PW’s Unit:
2nd Co had 140 men. Riflemen armed with M1891/30 rifles, 90 rounds each, no grenades.
Sqd Ldrs: PPsh M1943 Sub Machine guns with two or three 35 round magazines each, no grenades.
Officers: M1933 pistols, no grenades.
Other armament included two HMG, two AT rifles, 12 DP LMG, 18 sub machine guns.
b. Disposition of Above Unit:
2nd Co was last observed (5 Sep 50) 28 km N of MASAN City.
c. Estimated Strength:
2nd Co: 140 men - Present: 90 men (4 Sep 50)
d. Food and Ammo Supplies:
PW received average of one meal per day after departing HAEJU, 10 Aug 50, until capture. Food consisted of one bowl of rice with few vegetables (soya bean).
e. Enemy Intentions:
PW was told by his Co Cmdr that they must fight to the end. If they were captured they were to be tortured and killed, so surrendering would be foolish.
f. Morale:
Troops morale was low because equipment was scarce, and many of the troops didn't have the will to fight.
g. Captured Equipment:
PW observed only one captured carbine being utilized against US.
h. US PW's:
Hearsay: PW heard from comrades that there are American PWs in SEOUL and that they are being used as laborers.
i. Korean Sentiments:
The relationship between the N Korean Army and the S. Korean civilians was not favorable because the NK's looted belongings and food.
For the AC of S, G-2:
SAKAMOTO
