ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1460 29 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0915) 26 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | LEE Chong Hun (李貞薰) |
| PW NO: | 63 NK 4847 |
| RANK: | M/Sgt (特務上士) |
| AGE: | 17 |
| DUTY: | Cook |
| UNIT: | 105th Armored Div, 849th Unit (57mm AT Gun unit), 2nd Bn, 3rd Co. |
| EDUCATION: | Middle School (2yrs) |
| OCCUPATION: | Student |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | 1km S of YAKMOK (若木) (1130-1450) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 21 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | P’YONGAN NAMDO, KANGSO GUN, TONGJIN MYON, KOILEI #516 (平安南道 江西郡 東津面 古逸里 五一六) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same as above |
| INTERROGATOR: | MORI (FEAF) |
| DATE: | 25 Sep 50 |
PW was cooperative. He was still a student in middle school when inducted in NKPA. PW stated that he was not a membef of the MINCH’ONG (民靑) (Communist Youth Organization) and was not compelled to join this communist organization due to his age. Further interrogation is not recommended.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
| 19 Jul 50: | Inducted in NKPA at P’YONGYANG. Assigned to 3rd Co, 2nd Bn, 849th (57mm AT gun). Received 10 days basic training. |
| 1 Aug 50: | Departed P’YONGYANG by train with 849th Unit (approx 450 men). |
| 1 Sep 50: | Arrived 16 km NW of YAKMOK via HAEJU, SEOUL, WONJU, CH’UNGJU, YONGJU, ANDONG and KUMCH’ON. Remained there 20 days. Attacked on one occasion by 4 x F-80’s. 3rd Co lost two (2) ZIS trucks and three (3) 57mm AT guns. 3rd Co CO KIA. |
| 20 Sep 50: | During the night, the 2nd Bn was attacked by US forces. Two (2) T-34 tanks supported the Bn but the tanks withdrew while the Bn was digging in. Before dawn the 2nd Bn and elements of the 1st Bn were surrounded by US forces. |
| 21 Sep 50: | PW surrendered with the 2nd Bn. |
Unit Organization and strength:
Original organization and strength: The 849th Unit (57mm AT gun unit, 450 men) consisted of the 1st Bn (Mixed Bn, 200 men) and the 2nd Bn (AT Gun Bn, 250 men). The 1st Bn (Mixed Bn) consisted of an Engineer Co and an AT Rifle Co. The 2nd Bn (AT Gun Bn) consisted of the three (3) Cos (43 men each), a mixed recon, signal plt (40 men) and a Intendance plt (20 men).
Equipment:
Each of the three (3) Cos of the 2nd (AT Gun) Bn had 4 x 57mm M1943 AT Guns and 4 x DP LMG’s.
The 2nd Bn Mixed Recon and Signal Plt had 5 x radio sets and 20 x M1944 carbines.
The Intendance Plt had 20 x M1944 carbines. The 1st Bn was equipped with 14.5mm PTRS-1941 AT rifles. Most of the 2nd Bn equipment has been captured.
Unit History:
The 849th Unit was activated at P’YONGYANG 24 Jul 50. On 1 Sep 50 the unit was assigned to the 105th Armored Div as a reserve unit. 100 of the original 400 members of the unit surrendered to the US forces on 21 Sep 50 at same time PW was captured.
Disposition:
21 Sep 50 PW observed approx 500 NKPA troops marching toward KUMH’ON at YAKMOK (若木). An artillery ammunition dump was located in an unused RR tunnel located on the W side of road leading to KUMCH’ON 18 km N of YAKMOK. Approx 400 rounds of 57mm AT shells were there on 17 Sep 50. Ammunition was brought to this dump by truck from P’YONGYANG with the 849th Unit and 2nd transported to the front AT gun emplacements by trucks at night.
Communications:
Condition of road and bridges between KUMCH’ON and WAEGWAN was good. RR was in use as far as KUMCH’ON as of 21 Sep 50. PW heard that the retreating troops were to board train at KUMCH’ON. Radio sets were used in the 849th unit for communication between the AT gun emplacements and the OP.
Intentions:
The mission of the 849th Unit was to reinforce the 105th Armored Div for the attack on TAEGU. No further information.
Personalities:
CO, 2nd Bn, 849th Unit: KIM Kyu Sik (金규식), Capt (總尉). Approx 30.
CC, 3rd Co: YU Ch’ae Bong (유채봉), Lt (中尉). 27.
Morale and Propaganda:
19 Sep 50 2nd Bn read US propaganda leaflets which gave news of the INCH’ON landing by the US forces. PW stated that most of the soldiers believed this news and realized that the NKPA has lost the war. This further lowered the morale of the troops.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
