ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1513 30 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0932) 28 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | CH’OE, Son Won (崔善元) (최선원) |
| RANK: | Lt (中尉) |
| AGE: | 39 |
| DUTY: | Regt’l Supply Officer |
| UNIT: | 3rd Div, Arty Regt (Code No 371) |
| EDUCATION: | 6 years |
| OCCUPATION: | Factory Worker |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | SANGJU (尙州) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 23 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | P’YONGYANG City, PYONGCHON-Ni #11 (平壤特別市 平川里 十一番地) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | P’YONGYANG City, YUSONG-Ni #55 (平壤特別市 柳城里 五五番地) |
| INTERROGATOR: | S/Sgt LEE (FEAF) |
PW did not surrender but was captured. However, he was cooperative Not recommended for further interrogation.
3. UNIT DUTIES:Supply:
PW was the Regt’l Supply Officer and was responsible for coordinating supply between Div and Bn. PW handled mostly 76-mm and 122-mm Ammunition, which was hauled in trucks. The request for supplies by the front line unit was usually delayed because of the shortages of items and the great distance to the main supply depots in TAEJON. TAEJON receives supplies from SEOUL. Supplies are obtained by dispatching personnel from the Bn up to the Regt Supply Officer. The Regt Supply Officer then gives oral approval and contacts Div Supply Officer, who then issues the items direct to the Bn.
Mission and Intentions:
PW was told by his Regt’l commander that the Regt was going to fall back to KUMCH’ON. PW was further told that they might have to withdraw as far as YONGDONG (永同). PW took the wrong road and went to SANGJU (尙州) in hopes of joining his unit. PW never saw any of his unit in SANGJU so he feels that his Regt pulled back to YONGDONG.
Effectiveness:
1. New replacements lacked training and experience.
2. The basic principal of taking cover has not been stressed upon the new replacements, therefore many are being killed by strafing aircraft.
Effectiveness of Command Organization:
PW claims that from Bn Commander on up, the commanding officers had all received quite a bit of military training either in JAPAN or CHINA. Some of officers are graduates of the Chinese Military School and were battle hardened. Soma officers are also graduates of the Japanese Military Academy.
Morale:
Troop's morale dropped when the battle of the NAKTON River took place. The reasons given were the complete disregard of life and the high percentage of killed and wounded. The lack of cover by NK aircraft also played a great part in lowering the morale of the NE rank and file. Other contributing factors were the lack of food, weapons, and clothing.
4. STRATEGIC INFORMATION:Military school located in P’YONGYANG. Naval school located in WONSAN.
Psychological Factors:
1. PW clams that about 30% of the troops within the Div still want to fight.
2. Fighter aircraft is the most feared weapon.
3. Malaria and diarrhea are the most common diseases.
4. PW does not know too much about treatment of UN prisoners. PW heard that food was prepared in the American fashion as much as possible. The badly wounded ROK prisoners are more or less left to die or are shot.
For the Commanding Officer;
WEELDREYER
Executive
