ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1085 16 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (164 - LDI - 0834) 13 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | CHAE, Kang Sop (崔光涉) |
| PW NO: | 63 NK 2761 |
| RANK: | M/Sgt |
| AGE: | 25 |
| DUTY: | Bn Clerk |
| ORGN: | 15th Div, Indep SP Gun Bn (793 unit) |
| OCCUPATION: | Clerk |
| ADDRESS: | PYONGYANG, IAM NI, #31 (平壤 衣岩里 31) |
| DATE & PLACE CAPTURED: | 10 Sep 50, 1030 hrs at RIMPO (6 Kms South of YONGCHON) by ROK Forces. |
| INTERROGATOR: | T.M.O. |
Information is limited but seems reliable.
3. T/O & E OF PW's UNIT:| Self Propelled Gun Plt: | 7 men | Equipment |
| 1 officer | 2 x SU-76 SP Guns crew armed either with PPSH 1941 SMG or pistols. | |
| SP Gun Company: | 17 men | Equipment |
| 3 officers | 5 x SU-76 SP Guns side arms same as above. | |
| SP Gun Battalion: | 45 men | Equipment |
| (3 x SP Gun Co) | 13 officers | 16 x SU-76 SP Guns |
| 8 repairmen | ||
| 7 supply personnel | ||
The 15th Div Hq on 3 Sep 50, was located 1 Km North of YONGCHON.
2nd Corps Hq (2nd Corps composed of 15th, 13th, & 12th Divisions) was located 120 Kms North of YONGCHON (location unknown).
The combined remnants of the 50th, 47th and 45th Regt (as of 10 Sep 50) retreated into the mountains 8 Kms South of YONGCHON and were completely surrounded by South Korean forces.
5. ESTIMATED STRENGTH:| Unit | Original Strength | Present Strength |
| 15th Division | 10,000 | 3,500 |
| (combined strength of 45th, 47th, 50th Regt) | 58 men (16xSU-76) | Unknown |
| Artillery Regt | 800 to 1000 | Unknown (10 x arty pieces) |
Lt Col YANG, Hong Son (양홍선), age 26, 15th Div, SP Gun Bn CO.
Sr Capt LEE, Tong Yul (李東律). age 26, SP Gun Bn Hq, Administration officer.
7. PERSONAL & UNIT HISTORY:Inducted 4 Feb 49 at PONGUN with 3 others and assigned to the 7th Regt, 3rd Div at PYONGYANG. Between Feb 49 and Jul 49, the PW was a clerk in the Regiment Hq. In Jul 49, the 3rd Div moved to CHORWON in preparation for war.
On 2 March 50, the informant was transferred to the 7th Regt of the 15th Div stationed at NAJIN. Between 2 March 50 and 6 June 50, the PW was transferred to the SP Gun Bn Hq of the 15th Division.
On 22 June 50, the 15th Div moved by rail to CHORWON, arriving 25 Jul 50. From CHORWON, the SP Gun Bn fought its way to UIJONGBU, HWACHON, CHUNCHON, HONGCHON, YOJU, KUMCHON, SONSAN, and arrived at the Northern outskirts of YONGCHON on 7 Sep 50. On 8 Sep 50, the SP Gun Bn moved to RIMPO, where it was annihilated by ROK Forces.
8. ARMOR:The SP Gun Bn, 15th Division, was annihilated by ROK Forces between 7 Sep 50 to 10 Sep 50 at RlMPO (8 Kms South of YONGCHON).
On 20 Aug 50, the CO of the SP Gun Bn, 15th Div, left for SEOUL to activate a new SP Gun Bn.
9. ARTILLERY:More than two thirds of the Division's artillery pieces were either captured or destroyed between 7 Sep to 10 Sep 50.
10. FOOD & AMMO SUPPLIES:The 15th Division's artillery ammo supply has been completely cut off since 20 Aug 50.
Small arms ammo supply has been completely cut off since 5 Sep 50.
Food was inadequate. The troops between 1 Sep 50 to 10 Sep 50 received an average of one meal a day, consisting of salt and one handful of wheat.
11. REPLACEMENTS:The 15th Division received several thousand replacements up to 1 Sep 50, but most of them either deserted or were killed (PW estimates that about 7,000 troops of the 15th Division have been killed). The number of wounded is unknown.
Wounded troops were evacuated to the rear through channels to a field hospital that usually followed the Division.
Wounded troops usually died from lack of medical attention.
Wounded troops, after recovery, are sent to the front line unless crippled.
When separated from their parent unit during battle, troops are allowed to join an adjacent unit, but have to find their way back to their parent organization as soon as possible.
12. ENEMY INTENTIONS:The mission of the 15th Div was to take YONGCHON, then attack TAEGU from the west via the main highway.
The troops were ordered to fight to the last.
The troops were told that RUSSIA and CHINA will come to the aid of the North Korean Forces. (Informant believes that this was said for propaganda purposes.)
13. SOUTH KOREAN SENTIMENT:Most of the South Koreans in newly-occupied territory are against the North Koreans because they are forced to serve in the North Korean Army.
14. MISC INFORMATION:On 1 Sep 50. the informant heard in Bn Hq that the 15th Div CO will be recalled to PYONGYANG and relieved of his command because of several blunders made by the 15th Division.
15. WINTER PREPARATIONS:The North Korean Army does not have the clothing to equip its troops for winter warfare.
For the AC of S, G-2:
SAKAMOTO
