ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1553 2 October 1950
FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 0953) 29 September 1950
1. PERSONAL DETAILS:| PW NAME: | KIM Chin Ok (金眞玉) (김진옥) |
| RANK: | Sr Sgt (下士) |
| AGE: | 21 |
| DUTY: | Sqd Ldr |
| UNIT: | 4th Div, Engr Bn, River Raft Co |
| EDUCATION: | 6 yrs |
| OCCUPATION: | Farmer |
| PLACE OF CAPTURE: | KOCH’ANG (居昌) (1080-1410) |
| DATE OF CAPTURE: | 25 Sep 50 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH: | HWANGHAEDO, HAEJU City, UPCHONG-NI (黃海道 海州市 挹淸里) |
| HOME ADDRESS: | Same as above |
| INTERROGATOR: | Sgt AHN (ATIS) |
PW seemed bitter and not too eager to cooperate. Information on movements and intentions of 4th Div not available because Engr Bn nae 8 to 10 km in rear of main elements of 4th Div. Promoted to Jr Sgt 15 Aug 50 because he was the only man in Co that had more than 5 yrs education.
3. TACTICAL INFORMATION:Chronology:
10 Mar 49: Volunteered in NKPA in HAEJU (海州).
11 Mar 49-Feb 50: Received Inf basic training in CHINNAMP'O (鎭南浦) with 250-300 men.
| Feb 50: | Assigned to 4th Div's Independent Engineer Bn. Received practical training on repairing roads. Built small bridges and repaired old bridges in CHINNAMP’O Area until 15 Jun 50. |
| 15 Jun 50: | 4th Div departed CHINNAMP'O (鎭南浦) by rail, arrived NAMCH'ONJOM (南川店) 18 Jun 50. Departed same day, marched and arrived YONCH’ON (永川) 21 Jun 50 and made preparations for a full scale maneuver along 38° parallel. |
| 25 Jun 50: | 4th Div less Engr Bn departed YONCH’ON (漣川) and crossed the 38° parallel and engaged ROK troops. The Engr Bn followed 8 to 10 km to the rear and repaired all roads or bridges that were damaged or destroyed by ROK forces. Route was UIJONGBU (議政府), SEOUL, YONGDUNGP’O (永登浦), SUWON (水原), OSAN (烏山), P'YONGTAEK (平澤), CHOCHIWON (鳥致院), KONGJU (公州), TAEJON, MUJU (茂州), KOCH'ANG (居昌) and HYOPCH'ON. Engineer Bn repaired only roads during trip. No bridges could be repaired because of aircraft. |
| o/a 1 Aug 50: | 4th Div occupied SINBAN-NI (新反里) about 5 km West of the NAKTONG River. Engr Bn moved in and remained in this area for 1½ mos. 4th Div crossed the NAKTONG River. PW heard that they occupied all ridges along the east bank of the NAKTONG River. While in SINBANNI the Engr Bn met elements of the 6th Div and were told by 6th Div personnel that they were heading for MASAN and PUSAN. |
| 21 Sep 50: | Observed American troops crossing the NAKTONG River heading in westerly direction with heavy support from aircraft and artillery. Also observed about a Regt of NKPA troops retreating in disorder and confusion in the face of American troops crossing the NAKTONG River. Engr Bn, Commander and Political and Company officers, deserted their unit and told the men to retreat. These officers rode on the only truck that was in the Engr Bn. Retreat was very disorderly because plt ldrs and sqd ldrs retreated in a hurry leaving the men to get out of SINBAN-NI (新反里) on their own. PW and 10 other men retreated as far as 5 km SE of KOCH'ANG where they were captured by US forces. |
T/O Personnel of 4th Div, Engr Bn:
Personnel - 350, killed or missing - 150, present,- 200.
Officers - 25, killed or missing-10, present - 15.
Morale and Propaganda:
Morale of the PW's unit was high until they heard the UN was aiding the ROK forces. Officers in unit were selfish. They ate 3 meals a day while the EM ate only once or twice a day. Repair of roads took place only at night.
For the Commanding Officer:
WEELDREYER
Executive
